1980 Z-28 Help!!!!!!

[Elizabeth Ann]

Hi There, Have A 1980 Z-28 With A 4 Speed, Replaced Clutch, (broken Clutch Fork), Installed New Carb, And Still No Power, Goes Into Gear Well, Shifts Well, No Power, Had This Problem Before Fixing Clutch And Carb, Could It Be The Timing? Please Help, Have Had My Monster Girl For Many Years And Is My Only Car, Thanx, Elizabeth

[Jcrane88]

what do you mean by "no power"? it wont run or it feels sluggish?

[Elizabeth Ann]

SLUGGISH!!! It runs, goes into all 4 gears real smooth, but doesn't want to go over 55mph, and the tack is reading 35, when I stomp it, there is nothing there , any ideas at all would be helpful, I usually do the work myself, but might have to take her to a mechanic, waaaaaaaaa

[Jcrane88]

a good tune up should help.......i just changed the spark plugs on my car...and it made a world of difference!...plus they were all fuel fouled

[Jcrane88]

i was running so rich though there was more fuel in my oil then oil...so i was pretty sluggish

[Elizabeth Ann]

full tune-up, plugs, wires, cap, rotor button, coil, etc, any more ideas? please?

[Jcrane88]

besides from a full tune up...timing included... thats all i know..hope it helps

[wrightz28]

What did the plugs look like when you changed them?

Any backfiring? I assume fuel filter was changed with the carb? How many miles are on the timing chain (any unusual sounds at startup?)

[Elizabeth Ann]

the plugs looked ok when changed, yes some backfiring when trying to get on it, starts at a click of the key now, timing chain was replaced, still think it's the timing but not sure how to set it or what to set it to? She also has some exhaust leaks as well, might have something to do with it but not everything I wouldn't think?

Originally Posted by wrightz28

What did the plugs look like when you changed them?

Any backfiring? I assume fuel filter was changed with the carb? How many miles are on the timing chain (any unusual sounds at startup?)

[wrightz28]

Ok, to set the ignition timing the procedure should be listed on the emissions decal. But in a nutt shell, bring the motor up to normal operating temp. Hook up your timing light, inductive pickup styles are well worth the money. Disable the advance mech, be it electric or vaxcuum. Loosen the hold down clamp bolt at the base of the distributer (specialized wrenches are available for this), just loosen it, don't go crazy.

Now fire the motor back up, make sure your timing light wires are clear of the fan first! The timing indicator tab s/b right below the water pump unually on left (driver's) side of the motor, (it may need some cleaning to be able to decypher. Point the timing light at the tab and pull the trigger, the light should now be strobing in sequence with cylinder 1's firing, and you'll see the scribe line on the crank pulley in refrence to where it (cylinder 1 is) is on the timing tab before or after top dead center of piston travel.

To change timing, merely turn the distributer clockwise or counter clockwise to make the scribe line sit to the specified degree of base timing provided on the emissions decal. NOTE: some engines require the RPMs' to be at a certain level, take notice of that. Should you no longer have the label or it's unreadable, you can also get the procedure and specs form a chiltons or haynes manual.

Anyway, after base timing is set. Tighten up the hold down clamp bolt, again don't go nuts with it, if you do it'll be that much harder to loosen later on down the road. After it's snugged up, check the timing again to make sure you didn't upset it while tightening. If ok, hook back up the adv. mechanism and take for a test drive. Try to note any pinging that would indicate you either read the tab wrong or the bolt isn't thight enoug (rare but it happens).

After a few times you get the hang of it and after a while you get so used to the motors sound and distributer orientation at the right timing you don't even need a light anymore

[Elizabeth Ann]

THANK YOU for the info on timing, I will try it when I get home, will let you know if it works, Elizabeth Ann

[Elizabeth Ann]

k, so who knows how to check a tachometer?

[wrightz28]

huh? you mean if it's callibrated correctly?

[Elizabeth Ann]

yes if it's correct or if it's off, not sure what the problem is, but going 55mph the tack reads 35 and can feel the pull on the motor, grrrrrrrrr, other than that, she starts and runs great, lmao

[wrightz28]

So starting off the line power is normal?

Power remains constant through 1st, shift

constant through 2nd, shift

constant through 3rd, shift

into 4th starts dogging around, but will accleretae but very slowly and laboring the engine?