johnathan
1/2 ton status
My dad bought a 78 chevy 350/350trans.The motor seems to run great,it just lacks power.What are some things to check besides comp.test and vac test and timing exhaust seems to be clear too,no cat
CK5
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lacks power
- Thread starter johnathan
- Start date
sled_dog
1 ton status
how many miles? If it really seems to lack power then its not running great is it? If its really running great, its likely just tired or you are expecting way too much. A stock 78 pickup wouldn't have had a ton of balls. What gear ratio in the axles? Could be like my 84 K5 and have 2.73s behind a 305. Yeah that was a good choice...
1985_K5_Silverado
1/2 ton status
I think the 350 SBC truck engines were only rated at ~160 HP or thereabouts in 1978. The pre-EFI smog years were a terrible time for car and truck enthusiasts.sled_dog said:
Thankfully, there are easy-in crate engines
TDAWG1
1/2 ton status
valve seals
johnathan
1/2 ton status
Yeah I would'nt expect it to be hot rod,but compared to the 350 in my K5 it just seamed mighty sluggish
Yours is an '84. 1978/79 was a dismal time for smogger engines. 
The main "solution" from Detroit seemed to be lowering the compression until the engine barely ran. 
Compression ratios in the 7.5-8.0:1 range weren't uncommon then. I had a new '79 F-150 back then with a 351 and it could barely get out of its own way. 
The main "solution" from Detroit seemed to be lowering the compression until the engine barely ran. Compression ratios in the 7.5-8.0:1 range weren't uncommon then. I had a new '79 F-150 back then with a 351 and it could barely get out of its own way. 
jk3078
1/2 ton status
try a full tune up, fuel filter, plug wires, the works. also run some Sea-foam through the tank and get fresh gas in there, sometimes this makes a big differance in an older truck that may have done some setting. Just my .02.
1985_K5_Silverado said:I think the 350 SBC truck engines were only rated at ~160 HP or thereabouts in 1978. The pre-EFI smog years were a terrible time for car and truck enthusiasts.
Thankfully, there are easy-in crate engines
really !!!! I used to wheel the hell out of mine.. always had enough power.....
had 33's and 3.73's with a turbo 400.. then came the 33's and 4.56's with a manual (full rollin chassis swap!!!)
