383 tuning HELP quick!

[pismorat]

I am up against a wall for prepping for a trip...I pulled my distributor and found that the springs were broken and the weights were jammed up. I had a spare distributor from the engine that was set up for it (don't ask why I never used it) I put it in thinking all would be well, but it still misses and studders until about 3000rpm. I cannot think of why! I am about to yank the plugs tonight and start checking from the beginning. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

What's your timing set at? How much mechanical advance are you using? Are you using the vacuum advance?

 

[pismorat]

I set it at about 10 degrees because it won't even run hardly below that. I don't know the mechanical advance specs, but I am using the vacuum advance. But no matter how much I advance it it never gets better. I can almost feel a miss with my hand on the engine too, I'll be back soon, gonna go after the plugs.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

You do have the vacuum advance disconnected and plugged when you're timing it, right?

Who made the distributor?

The plugs may tell you what wrong in the first place, but I kinda doubt it.

 

[3 on the tree]

MAYBE you crossed 2 of the plug wires, while changing distributors.

 

[K5dreamer]

DISCLAIMER - not trying to be insulting, just covering the bases.

1. before installing the distributor, you did rotate the engine over so that the number one piston (farthest forward, driver side) was at TDC on the compression/combustion stroke right?

2. With the number one piston at TDC, you installed the distributor so that the rotor was pointing at the number one spark plug right?

3. as was stated you have the vacuum advance unplugged correct?

4. all wires are solidly connected, anything that was unhooked is reconnected (except vacuum line to advance)

5. Im also assuming you have loosened the distributor clamp, and have tried to adjust timing by rotating the distributor while the engine is running to try and make a difference. does the engine run better at either extreme roating to the left or right?

 

[pismorat]

Issue Resolved!!

To answer most questions, yes, I did install the distributor correctly, did have the vac. adv. unplugged, and did everything else. I pulled all the plugs and they were OK, and inspected the wires. I have fiberglass sheaths on the lower ends for the headers and it turns out they don't work as good as you think. The #3 wire was arcing through the sheath to the header and A/C bracket. I put a spare wire on and it cleared it right up. The timing is now dialed and it runs awesome.

Thanks to all for the help!!

 

[K5dreamer]

BLAST!! that was gonna be the next thing i suggested


good find, always feels good to get it sorted out right before you leave for a road trip