Bad problems. . .

[orion_X_100]

well. . . this is my first post in the "camaro" section. Im almost 18 and i got a 1982 Camaro Sport Coupe 2.8l V6 Carb., i got it when i was 15/16 for a couple hundred bucks. . .

a little history:
bought the car, owner said it had a bad knock. . . bad connecting rod i think, got that fixed. . . rebuilt the engine

the car is acting very random now that the engine has been rebuilt, somedays it starts up fine, other days not so good, or at all. . .

originally thought it was the carburator pouring too much gas in the intake; now im thinking its the choke or the gasket between the carb./intake is bad. . . when i take off the air filter lid i can hear a hissing sound, kinda like something is sucking something. . .

when i start the car up, it runs kinda rough and quite a bit of black smoke comes out the exhaust, but when i rev it up(if it doesnt stall) the smoke eventually goes away. . .

im almost at the end of my rope!! and have run out of ideas of what the problem could be, nothing makes sense. . .

PLEASE help me before i sell my Camaro!!

[wrightz28]

The hissing sound s/b a vacuum leak.

[orion_X_100]

well. . . ive looked throughtout the whole car and didnt see any bad hoses or anything, i hear the hissing sound from the carb, a pic is located at bottom, but the car is still running too rich, i guess getting the codes for you would help.

any recomendations you might have on how to get the codes from the car? i have never done it.

btw. . . the car has NO power, you gotta practically floor it to get it up my driveway. . . and i really need help. . .

Top view-Carb.

^Back of car^
|----|
|( )|<----The choke
| ( ) |<----The hole i hear the hissing from
|----|
v Front of car v

[wrightz28]

You said the engine has been rebuilt? This problem showed up right after? Ignition time is set? All other basic ends covered? If so, you can check the baseplate gasket out by spraying carb cleaner around it and see if hte motor smooths out.

[orion_X_100]

ya, everything LOOKS normal. . . this is the third carb. ive installed, and the one that runs the best. ignition timing is about perfect. . . about the baseplate gasket, thats the gasket directly under the carb right? that was the next step i was gonna replace the gasket to see if it helped. . . so i should spray IN the carb or around the gasket?

thanks for all your help wrightz28
ill keep my results posted. . .

[wrightz28]

If you have a vacuum leak past the gasket, carb cleaner should smooth things our for sec.

Where are these carbs coming form? Stock replacements? Ready to run?

No prob for the 'help', just wanna hear another one come back from the dead story, we'll get it.

[orion_X_100]

i got my carbs from AutoZone. . .

when i took it to the shop to get the engine rebuilt. . . the guy said there were two types of carbs. for the 2.8 and one would dump to much gas, im guessing i got the wrong carb. . . but first ill check the gasket. . .

here she is where i bought her.

[wrightz28]

hmm, I see what you mean about the carb, there's about 5 choice options to go through before you get to a listing.

A thought occured to me: don't take it the wrong way, but, are you sure the filter is in properly?

You've adjusted the curb idle and that fun stuff? Those aren't ready to run out of the box.

[orion_X_100]

the air filter just kinda sits there snug, i can take the whole air filter assembly off the carb and not notice any difference. . . i havent adjusted anything except the timing, the guy who rebuilt the engine didnt tighten the distributer to the engine. . . . as i said everything looks normal and somedays the car can run PERFECT until i cut it off and try to start it again. . .

will adjusting the idle and the other "fun stuff" have anything to do with it running like crap most of the time and running perfect on rare occasions?

i havent been able to check the gasket yet, as its been cold and rainy here. . .

anyways. . . totally clueless

-Mike

[wrightz28]

Originally Posted by orion_X_100

the air filter just kinda sits there snug, i can take the whole air filter assembly off the carb and not notice any difference. . . i havent adjusted anything except the timing, the guy who rebuilt the engine didnt tighten the distributer to the engine. . . . as i said everything looks normal and somedays the car can run PERFECT until i cut it off and try to start it again. . .

will adjusting the idle and the other "fun stuff" have anything to do with it running like crap most of the time and running perfect on rare occasions?

i havent been able to check the gasket yet, as its been cold and rainy here. . .

anyways. . . totally clueless

-Mike

Well, like I said, they're usually not going to run right strainght out of the box, so yes, adjusting the curb idle and choke is going to make a world of difference and probably the answer to your problem.

By filter, I meant fuel filter.

[orion_X_100]

well, i havent looked at the fuel filter yet, and i guess ill adjust the "stuff". . . i got a Hayne's and Chilton's manuel for the car, the correct adjustments should be in there right?

thanks again for your help

[wrightz28]

How and what to adjust should have come with the carb, but yes a manual should also be of use, but exact specifications (idle set speed ) are best found on the engine decal on the hood (hopefully still for the correct motor)

[orion_X_100]

replaced the gasket seal under the carb yesterday. . . didnt seem to help at all.

looks like the plugs have gone bad again. . . gotta clean those today

about the "idling setting": if the car idles fine (when it does) do i still have to change the idle speed and other stuff?

[wrightz28]

Make sure the choke is operating correctly, s/b shut on a stone cold engine, then slowly open up when warned up.

[orion_X_100]

choke is working correctly, supposed to have between 12-15v and has like 13v, and is fully shut when cold. . . i cant get the car to run longenough to get the choke to warm up

. . . cleaned the plugs. . . took the computer out so i can replace it.

the car seems to be getting worse!