no power?

[Phoenixfire1989]

i just put my car back together(89 formula) and the car feels like it doesn't wanna move..like a rock. It's a 5 speed manual..and it feels like it's reved out all the way when you try to move it..like something is holding it.. It wasn't like that before the distributor and coil were removed..and now the temp gauge and radiator fan aren't working..i'm unsure if the temp gauge could be a fuse? and is causing the fan not to come on? The no power could possibly be timing? Any suggestions where to start?

[LTb1ow]

Why did you remove the coil and distributor?

[WildBillyT]

What makes you think the temp gauge and fan are not working? It's cold outside now.

Does the car have a thermostat?

As for the no power, if the timing was not re-set after the distributor was installed you could certainly be down on power.

[PolarBear]

I think the one rear drum is locked up for sitting so long, there is a drag mark from the RR tire in my driveway from the car going onto the flatbed

[LTb1ow]

Why would a tire have to do with the engine revving and not going anywhere?

[Blackbirdws6]

Why would a tire have to do with the engine revving and not going anywhere?

If the dizzy was touched then I would point to that first. If something is dragging, it will make it feel like something is holding it back. Prob feels like driving with the parking brake on.

[Slow-V6]

Throttle Body not opening or stuck?

[B4C]

If the dizzy was touched then I would point to that first. If something is dragging, it will make it feel like something is holding it back. Prob feels like driving with the parking brake on.

The car feels like it hits the limiter at 3000 rpm, and also pops and backfires. Im almost positive the brakes are not locked, the car rolls just fine. It does seem to have a pretty large exhaust leak that idk how close it is to the 02 sensor, so that may be contributing to it as well.

Throttle Body not opening or stuck?

Nope, working properly.

I dont know much about 80's computer stuff, I know you have to unplug one of the connectors for the computer to set base timing, but the car also doesnt have a timing scale on it so its kinda just by ear at the moment.

What makes you think the temp gauge and fan are not working? It's cold outside now.

Does the car have a thermostat?

As for the no power, if the timing was not re-set after the distributor was installed you could certainly be down on power.

The fact that they are not working makes me think that :kneeslap: the car definatly gets HOT but the gauge reads nothing and the fan never kicks on, there is a terminal next to the battery that has some pretty high resistance and corrosion from sitting, which would partly explain the fans, and the sensor reads the proper OHMS at temps. The gauge itself has power to it, just not getting signal. Yes the car has a t-stat. Im also assuming that the fans need temp sensor input to kick on?

[LTb1ow]

Wait, who are you? Does your car do the same thing, maybe its a third gen thing?

[WildBillyT]

The car feels like it hits the limiter at 3000 rpm, and also pops and backfires. Im almost positive the brakes are not locked, the car rolls just fine. It does seem to have a pretty large exhaust leak that idk how close it is to the 02 sensor, so that may be contributing to it as well.



Nope, working properly.

I dont know much about 80's computer stuff, I know you have to unplug one of the connectors for the computer to set base timing, but the car also doesnt have a timing scale on it so its kinda just by ear at the moment.

The fact that they are not working makes me think that :kneeslap: the car definatly gets HOT but the gauge reads nothing and the fan never kicks on, there is a terminal next to the battery that has some pretty high resistance and corrosion from sitting, which would partly explain the fans, and the sensor reads the proper OHMS at temps. The gauge itself has power to it, just not getting signal. Yes the car has a t-stat. Im also assuming that the fans need temp sensor input to kick on?

There is your place to start. Nowhere else. This engine probably has a bad tune at the moment.

[B4C]

Wait, who are you? Does your car do the same thing, maybe its a third gen thing?

Im the one working on the car :bertstare:

[B4C]

There is your place to start. Nowhere else. This engine probably has a bad tune at the moment.

I ordered one just waiting on it in the mail. I think I may be a tooth off on the dizzy.

[V]

I ordered one just waiting on it in the mail. I think I may be a tooth off on the dizzy.

doubt it, it'd be on, or 180 out. if anything you have the dizzy turned too far one way or the other.

And keep in mind you'll have to go through the process of finding TDC(compression, not exhaust stroke) then setting the dizzy to #1, Then adjust timing.

[sweetbmxrider]

Sounds like too many hands in the pot and none of them are fully addressing all of the known and unknown problems.

[B4C]

Am I correct on pulling the connector to set base timing? One wire connector, brown with a black stripe?

[PolarBear]

Am I correct on pulling the connector to set base timing? One wire connector, brown with a black stripe?

Yes

[B4C]

Sounds like too many hands in the pot and none of them are fully addressing all of the known and unknown problems.

I just feel mentally challenged with all this distributor and tbi stuff, its like an alien to me. Silly third gens

Yes

Thanks I thought that was the right one just wasn't sure.

[deadtrend1]

There is no timing tab on the riming cover? The crank hub has a black line for your reading

[B4C]

Correct, has the line on the balancer but no tab.

[WildBillyT]

You can add timing tape and an adjustable pointer.

[Slow-V6]

be done with it and convert it to a opti! why was the dizzy pulled in the 1st place? is the temp sensor and fan connector located near the dizzy?maybe they got unplugged?

[LTb1ow]

be done with it and convert it to a opti! why was the dizzy pulled in the 1st place? is the temp sensor and fan connector located near the dizzy?maybe they got unplugged?

This is some solid advice, optisparks are dependable and non adjustable.

+2 on why the dizzy was pulled, did something fall in there? Is this the car with the broken torque converter? Maybe the PCM is doing something weird cause the bearings are shot?

[B4C]

be done with it and convert it to a opti! why was the dizzy pulled in the 1st place? is the temp sensor and fan connector located near the dizzy?maybe they got unplugged?

It was removed inorder to be tested in another car to verify a no-start. Convert to opti....put even junkier junk in there? LOL I would be ripping it a out and converting to an ls1 if it were my car. :rofl:

[B4C]

This is some solid advice, optisparks are dependable and non adjustable.

+2 on why the dizzy was pulled, did something fall in there? Is this the car with the broken torque converter? Maybe the PCM is doing something weird cause the bearings are shot?

This is an 89 formula 5 speed not her 86 trans am.

[LTb1ow]

Ohh ok, so, was it running better before the distributor came out?

[B4C]

Yes it ran but idk how well. I've never heard it run or driven it prior and it was already having some issues when it was running before the distributor was removed.

[WildBillyT]

Next person to post bad or jokey tech info in here gets a 2 weeker.

[Phoenixfire1989]

It ran very strong..felt like it had alot of power and torque..now it just feel weighed down..or revved out at a very low rpm.

[deadtrend1]

Not sure what you mean by "revved out"

My advice is it get a accurate timing setting on it first. Weather that means putting a new timing cover on if the tab is missing, or aftermarket timing tab (not sure if the stock balancer will work with a aftermarket tab since ive seen them before not match. Maybe someone here can verify)

Set the timing to 6 degrees advance with the EST wire unplugged. If it pings bring it down a little bit. Start with that and go from there.

[BonzoHansen]

this ^^ until it is fixed and timed right this is all nonsense. /discussion /speculation

[PolarBear]

Correct, has the line on the balancer but no tab.

Should just have a small tab with a groove in it. It SHOULD be a plastic timing cover IIRC

[B4C]

Not sure what you mean by "revved out"

My advice is it get a accurate timing setting on it first. Weather that means putting a new timing cover on if the tab is missing, or aftermarket timing tab (not sure if the stock balancer will work with a aftermarket tab since ive seen them before not match. Maybe someone here can verify)

Set the timing to 6 degrees advance with the EST wire unplugged. If it pings bring it down a little bit. Start with that and go from there.

I got a Mr.Gasket one in the mail...The car honstely feels like its on the rev limiter at 3k rpm. Like it hits a wall.

Should just have a small tab with a groove in it. It SHOULD be a plastic timing cover IIRC

Maybe just not seeing it but it looks like there is nothing there. Ill double check, its not what Im used to looking at. Used to old school sbc stuff and ls1's so I was looking for a timing scale like the old sbc's used to have.

[deadtrend1]

And if you manage to somehow see the stock tab on there. This is what they indicate ...

http://i42.tinypic.com/20zcze0.jpg

[WildBillyT]

I got a Mr.Gasket one in the mail...The car honstely feels like its on the rev limiter at 3k rpm. Like it hits a wall.



This is a symptom of bad timing. Could be too much or too little initial, too much total, bad curve, etc.

[B4C]

And if you manage to somehow see the stock tab on there. This is what they indicate ...

http://i42.tinypic.com/20zcze0.jpg


There is no tab on there that looks like that, maybe there is something like polarbear said but I was looking for a scale like the one u posted.
Im looking at the drivers side of the block just below the left side of the waterpump if its like the older sbc....correct?

[WildBillyT]

I seem to remember my timing tabs being on the driver's side. Post a pic if you can.

[BonzoHansen]

I seem to remember my timing tabs being on the driver's side. Post a pic if you can.

yes

[deadtrend1]

...
Im looking at the passenger side of the block just below the left side of the waterpump if its like the older sbc....correct?

No

I seem to remember my timing tabs being on the driver's side. Post a pic if you can.

Yes

[B4C]

typo...

[PolarBear]

Maybe just not seeing it but it looks like there is nothing there. Ill double check, its not what Im used to looking at. Used to old school sbc stuff and ls1's so I was looking for a timing scale like the old sbc's used to have.

may look similar to this
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/nal-12562818_w.jpg

[B4C]

yeah there is nothing, its completely flat, and steel.

[BonzoHansen]

more standard style sbc cover
http://www.mre-books.com/chevy/engines/parts_interchange/images/timing_cover.gif

just know what ever point you got you need to verify TDC & 08. there are different balancers with the mark in different places.

[BonzoHansen]

here: http://www.mre-books.com/chevy/engines/parts_interchange/timingchains.html

[B4C]

Thanks for the link, I found it hiding behind the water pump...never thought to look there.

[BonzoHansen]

so it is this one maybe?
http://www.mre-books.com/chevy/engines/parts_interchange/images/late_model_cover.gif


you better verify TDC & 0* line up the marks.

[PolarBear]

Thanks for the link, I found it hiding behind the water pump...never thought to look there.

I should have mentioned that. With the accessory drive it isn't really easy to see with the serp setup

[B4C]

so it is this one maybe?
http://www.mre-books.com/chevy/engines/parts_interchange/images/late_model_cover.gif


you better verify TDC & 0* line up the marks.

that is the one, didnt think to look back there for it

[B4C]

Anyone know what the timing should be set at? Have it set at 4* advanced currently. Still runs like poop but it could be the 2yr old gas.

[BonzoHansen]

You disconnected the est lead before you made the adjustment?


2 year old gas? Hmmmmmm

[WildBillyT]

2 year old gas? If the tank's not full, top it off with premium.

Regarding the initial timing, what's the engine combo? Still stock?

[BonzoHansen]

and check the plugs and the fuel filter

[Featherburner]

Any exhaust leaks?

[deadtrend1]

Anyone know what the timing should be set at? Have it set at 4* advanced currently. Still runs like poop but it could be the 2yr old gas.

In my earlier post I suggested 6* BTDC

[B4C]

You disconnected the est lead before you made the adjustment?


2 year old gas? Hmmmmmm

Yes I did disconnect it.

2 year old gas? If the tank's not full, top it off with premium.

Regarding the initial timing, what's the engine combo? Still stock?

Did that seems to be running a lot better. Engine is all stock.

[B4C]

Any exhaust leaks?

Huge exhaust leak right after the header.

[BonzoHansen]

Huge exhaust leak right after the header.

might want to fix that.