I put on stock rebuilt heads only. I finally got the :mad: distributor stabbed right and got the old girl running. Well I timed her by ear and then reset the valves. She idles smooth but as soon as I give her any gas she stumbles. I tried adjusting my idle mixture but that did not help, she likes to run rich. I have double-checked all vacuum lines and routing and everything is connected. Any ideas?? :confused: :confused: :confused:

You said "Well I timed her by ear" but never said you actually set the timing with a timing light. I wouldn't play with anything else (especially carb adjustments) without knowing the timing is right.

Once you get the timing set, check the jet size. You may have to increase them. Now, I'm only assuming that your using a Holley. If she's running rich, you might have to drill a hole in each of the primary throttle plates. It's going to be "trial & error", so start with a 1/16" and work your way up. If you are using a Holley, invest in a tuning manual, the tuning tips (such as the holes) are explained in the book.

Does your dist have points, did you set the dwell if it does? those things are important to how well it will run when the time comes to drive it.

Gentlemen,

Thank you for the information. I was trying to set the timing with a timing light and found that if I pull the line from the vacuum advance the car flat out dies. With the vacuum advance connected it still idles fairly decent but also still bogs or stumbles when you give any amount of gas. By the way, I am running an HEI distributor, Edelbrock performer manifold and an Edelbrock 600 cfm electric choke carb. I had this same set-up on the same motor with the previous heads and had no problems except for a slight miss. I do have new plugs, plug wires, vacuum advance, and coil previously installed. Help?

Sorry, one more thing I tried is spraying carb cleaner around the manifold and base of the carb to make sure I do not have any vacuum leaks there. None found.

Generally, if it dies with the vacuum line disconnected, you need more initial timing.

O.K. I got the timing set just right. 6 degrees before top dead center. graemlins/clonk.gif graemlins/hurray.gif Now when I go hook up the vacuum adavance the car dies. graemlins/angry.gif I used my vacuum gage and I am on the right port and I am getting 11 inches of vacuum. With the engine running with no advance it will do a full rev and it is smooth. Any ideas? BTW the vacuum advance is new.

I just went out to look and tinker some more and now the car will crank and start briefly. I tried cranking again and I got a small backfire. Now remember that my timing is set correctly. Maybe the pick-up coil on the distributor???

When I got home from work today I tried swapping out the ignition control module (I have 2 that are both good) and it did not make a difference. I then tried swapping out the distributor cap and coil (using the previous one off of the car) and it did not make a difference either. I checked the capacitor the other day and it is o.k. The vacuum advance is new as well. I have the car timed correctly as I stated before and it would rev smooth to full throttle but now it will not stay running with or without the vacuum advance connected. Any ideas? What does the pick-up coil do? :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

try bumping your initial timing to 10-12 degrees, and go from there with the carb adjustment. remember to set the initial w/ the vaccum advance disconected.

Sounds like your time is still to low or you have plugs wires crossed. (5-7)

Or you have the wrong timing indicator.

unless you are running a cam with lots of duration 11 inches of vacuum is not good. possible vacuum leak or valves not adjusted properly... just a thought!!!!

Update - I got my car running good. graemlins/hurray.gif I ended up increasing my initial timing. graemlins/clonk.gif I would like to thank everyone for their help. graemlins/thumbsup.gif It is greatly appreciated. It is great to be able to tap into all of the Chevelle knowledge. graemlins/beers.gif

Thanks for posting the results. It makes me happy to see someone be successful with their project.

Now I am trying to get it to pass inspection. Thats another story. I have everything needed except the guy want the original air cleaner with the heat riser to the manifold. The car didn't even have an air cleaner when I bought it. Once again, thank you to everyone, I greatly appreciate it. Look for me in the future, the mechanical and electrical needs to be finished before I get it painted.