86 firebird formula idle/timing question
86formula
07-05-2008, 06:04 PM
86 Firebird Formula with 305 v8.
My dad and I just bought this car that has been sitting up for over 4 years. We drained the tank and put new gas in it, flushed the fuel line, changed the oil, sprayed lots of cleaner in the intake and cleaned it out, and started it up. Yesterday we had it running, but with a rough / slow idle. We advanced the timing on the distributor. After which, it ran a bit better.
Today we replaced the distributor and pcv valve (because smoke was coming from it) to try to make the engine run a bit faster where it should be. We double checked the firing order and made sure we had it all hooked up right. All spark plugs are near new condition as are the plug wires. We then tried to hook up the timing gun to check the timing but it would not light up. It is hooked up to everything correctly, so it's not an operator error, that we know of. We checked the #1 plug and it's getting fire like it should. It now idles much slower and stalls. There is high oil pressure now and when the engine is revved slightly, the oil level pin pops out. The distributor cap has only 3 screws and is missing one. Would that cause our problem? What do you think could be causing this problem?
Any help would be much appreciated.
My dad and I just bought this car that has been sitting up for over 4 years. We drained the tank and put new gas in it, flushed the fuel line, changed the oil, sprayed lots of cleaner in the intake and cleaned it out, and started it up. Yesterday we had it running, but with a rough / slow idle. We advanced the timing on the distributor. After which, it ran a bit better.
Today we replaced the distributor and pcv valve (because smoke was coming from it) to try to make the engine run a bit faster where it should be. We double checked the firing order and made sure we had it all hooked up right. All spark plugs are near new condition as are the plug wires. We then tried to hook up the timing gun to check the timing but it would not light up. It is hooked up to everything correctly, so it's not an operator error, that we know of. We checked the #1 plug and it's getting fire like it should. It now idles much slower and stalls. There is high oil pressure now and when the engine is revved slightly, the oil level pin pops out. The distributor cap has only 3 screws and is missing one. Would that cause our problem? What do you think could be causing this problem?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Morley
07-05-2008, 08:30 PM
Need more info...What type of induction, carb or TPI? The oil level "pin" pops out? Do you mean the dipstick? Oil pressure that high is not good, you have a blockage in the crankcase ventilation system somewhere, because the oil pan is not supposed to have pressure in it and that is the only thing that will make a dipstick blow out.
If the timing gun is an inductive pickup type and you ARE getting firing voltage to #1 then the gun is bad, try another.
If it is a TPI car the timing should be 6* BTDC with the ESC wire disconnected. There is no true "idle speed" setting, idle is crotrolled by the ECM and a base "minimum air" setting is set through a process of a jumper on the ALDL.
If this is a TPI let me know and I'll post up the "whole" troubleshooting and setting of timing, minimum air and TPS.
If the timing gun is an inductive pickup type and you ARE getting firing voltage to #1 then the gun is bad, try another.
If it is a TPI car the timing should be 6* BTDC with the ESC wire disconnected. There is no true "idle speed" setting, idle is crotrolled by the ECM and a base "minimum air" setting is set through a process of a jumper on the ALDL.
If this is a TPI let me know and I'll post up the "whole" troubleshooting and setting of timing, minimum air and TPS.
86formula
07-06-2008, 01:35 PM
Yes it is TPI. Thanks again for your help!
inafogg
07-06-2008, 02:41 PM
also... make sure the pcv system is working.if u pull vacuum hose from pcv valve it should stall does it????if not check for restriction at vacuum supply
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