Loud popping in '69 Camaro

[Brandy240z]

Hi everyone - First, I'm asking a question my husband's '69 Camaro RS, of which I know absolutely nothing about (he's overseas right now, so he has no access to the car). I've been starting her up every few days, taking her for short rides, etc. The engine is a 454ci, super-large headers, looks beautiful, but I wouldn't even hesitate to guess how to change the oil on that thing.

When the car is started, and whenever I cruise at the local speed of around 30 mph or lower, there are loud pop/banging sounds coming from what seems like the lower right rear area, along the dual exhaust (again, I know nothing about this car except my husband gets all batty about it, and therefore leaves my own car project alone). I think it's because the idle (Edelbrock carb) may be set too low. The tach wavers around 700-900 rpm, and while we can both adjust the idle on my own little car, we haven't the foggiest as to what the range should be for this car, specially since the engine is not factory-installed.

Can anyone help? Hints, ideas, a referral to a really great mechanic here in south TX? This car drives beautifully, never hesitates, isn't popping out smoke, etc., but really, that banging sound is at the least embarrassing, and I fear that at the worst might in the long run damage the car.

[4onFloor]

does the car have any type of aftermarket ignition system like an MSD box etc.? someone awhile back had a similar problem and the MSD box turned out to be the problem.

does it sound like the popping noise is actually coming from the exhaust? we just need to determine if the problem is engine or drivetrain related. if it is engine related, popping through the carb usually indicates lean mixture, popping through the exhaust usually indictes a rich mixture. but it could be numerous things: stuck valve, slipped timing chain, wrong ignition timing, carb related, etc.

btw, welcome to the forum

[Cam1970]

Honestly, haven't the vaguest idea what this car has, but everything it does have, has either been rebuilt, replaced and/or upgraded. Don't ge tme wrong - it's a beautiful car that drives like a dream except for the popping.
Since my own little project car (a 240Z) has forced me to discover the joys of tuning the carbs, my first impression is that the idle needs to be set. We had this car shipped to us, and prior to it getting here, was in the last stages of having the engine, headers, suspension, etc., all that placed into the car, and we also understand that it was not driven around too often.

I just wish I knew what the settings should be. I can't access a factory service manual, since it's not the factory engine.

[cuda_dude]

i would say take the car to a shop

[kmdracer]

What part of south texas do ya'll live near? If near Houston, I can recommend a couple of great honest shops.
KevinD

[Brandy240z]

To be perfectly honest, both my husband and I wouldn't hesitate to travel at a distance (we've been to Houston for some of my cat shows (I'm a breeder), and it's about an 8-hour drive from the Brownsville/Harlingen area, but the closest thing to a real city that we can get to (we're native New Yorkers). The mechanics down here are idiots (we;ve been going through several), almost having my own little 240Z burst into flames due to ignoring leaking gas tank and unclamped pressurized fuel hoses. My husband's Camaro is way more valuable than my Z and we're both hesitant to risk having one of the shops here even change the oil.

We would, therefore, consider even traveling, popping exhausts nonetheless, to a real good mechanic.

Are there any kind of car clubs for the older cars, perhaps, or a Camaro club? Usually, some of the members in the Z clubs tend to be rather crack mechanics, and I'm hoping the same could be said for the Camaros.

Thanks again, guys.

[Chevyracincamaro]

cat breedin and car tunin: the finer things in life...

[kmdracer]

There are all sorts of clubs for all gen camaro's. Some of the one's I go to are..
www.camaroz28.com
www.f-bodytech.com
www.houston-f-body.com...

Here's a link to a shop that does great work..Not sure about if they do work on 1st gens, but give them a call and ask for Rick. ( He's the manager)

http://www.horsepowerengineering.com/

Hope this helps some.. There's also a site called austin f body, but I'm not sure of the url. I bet someone there could reccomend a good shop around there too. Might be a little closer.
KevinD