Cascade Crew

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 3:29 pm Post subject: IM STUMPED..

Ok, after much work on my 84 2.8L carborated camaro, I've finally hit the wall and I"m ready to either give up, or take the car to a mechanic/crewbie

The engine will crank and crank and crank, but not fire. I took a donor carb off a 82 2.8L and took it it apart before I tore into mine. I"ve even tried switching them, and the sensors on them. Nothing seems to be working. I can't see any problems inside either carb anyways. Float mechanisim seems to work as it should, Accelerator pump springs look ok. I only got it to fire once, and it ran for about 4 seconds real rough and stalled. (that carb I got it to work with I left on) All the connections are good with the electrical, all the plug wires are in the right places, its getting plenty of new good gas to the carb venturi and its curb idle/choke settings seem to be where they ought to be. A lot of new parts replaced on it, here's all that I"ve replaced

spark plugs (checked twice to ensure proper gap)
spark plug wires
distributor cap
rotor
Throttle Position Sensor
MAP sensor
Battery
Fuses (two were burnt out)
Ignition Coil

The steering column has also been gone through to make sure all its parts were good, and its tilt mechanism was missing two inverse torx bolts that hold that plate on behind, and those were replaced off a donor column.

took the line from the fuel pump (its mechanical) to the carb loose and cranked the engine over, the pump pumps out pretty solid bursts of gas, so I don't see that there's anything wrong with that. Am I wrong?

When you crank it for a while, even without hitting the gas petal, it does smell very strong of unburnt gas, took a spark plug out, and it had gas all over it, but no black carbon buildup of anykind.

I don't have a code reader unfortuately so I don't know what codes its throwing out.

Anyone out there have one, or have a clue what else I should try?
I'm starting to wonder if the ECM is toast in that thing.

Al Hasse · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 3:40 pm Post subject:

I have a code reader (or the jumper used to make the engine light flash) with the code book for GM. Tony can bring it down to you after the engine swap we're doing here this weekend.

iansane · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:57 pm Post subject:

Start off simple. You really just need three things to run the car; fuel, spark and compression. It sounds like you've got the fuel from the gas soaked plugs and pump spitting out. Are you sure you're getting spark? Pull a plugwire and hold it near the block (preferably not near the smell of gas)

Twilightoptics · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 10:23 pm Post subject:

Timing? Sometimes with EFI if your timing is off more than 10º it wont fire at all, not even hickup.

Xophertony · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:31 pm Post subject:

dude, know one needs a code reader. you need a paperclip. and the internet. Very Happy

i have a factory service manual that lists every code and what to do to test it. if anyone ever needs a code looked up.. we got em covered

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 5:33 am Post subject:

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 5:34 am Post subject:

iansane · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 9:06 am Post subject:

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 9:53 am Post subject:

well...........good news and bad news. I got it to fire again last night, it ran again for a few seconds and stalled..........BUT I NOTICED something.....

after it stalled it made a hissing noise and coolent was dripping off the bottom of the bellhousing....

I think its finally offical. I have a ruptured coolent passage and this 2.8L is dead.

S#@T!!!

well, its time to swap in a 305.

Theoretically.....could I use the same 5 speed that's in there now? I know I'm gonna need a diff bellhousing, Clutch, and pressure plate. What I don't know is if the input shaft on the V6 cars was a 26 spline like the 8cyl cars. Anybody have an answer to that? I'll ask on TGO also.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:16 pm Post subject:

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:26 pm Post subject:

What should I do about fuel lines? On the 6er they're on the driver side

SBC's have the fuel pump on the passenger side.

*sigh*

I'll probably just buy andrews 85 Z/28......cheaper in the long run.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:29 pm Post subject:

You just run some fuel line over along side the front of the drivers valve cover. TPI cars have the fuel lines fitted right in the middle of the intake at the front. Or you can run it around by the radiator or something.

Chevymad will chime in tonight, he's done it.