Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Running like crap

Hello.
I've got a mostly stock 194-6 in my '64 Nova wagon. Over the last month and a half it's not been running right. When you're maintaining a speed, say 35mph, it will do anything from a light "buck" to just missing on the cylinders. When this happened the first time I was able to "fix" it with a new distributor cap and rotor. That lasted about a month and we're back in the same boat again. Any suggestions?

Martin, It sounds like a fuel issue to me. Clogged line or filter, trash in carb, bad pump. or bad gas. When I was tuning the 4 BBL on my pickup I leaned it until it did what you describe and then went a step or two richer on the metering jets /rods.

SOUND LIKE THE TYPICAL INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK TO BE. BREAK OUT THE STARTING FLUID AND SPRAY IT WHERE THE INTAKE/EXHAUST MANIFOLD MEETS THE HEAD. IF IT REVS UP THE GASKET IS BAD HENCE THE NOT RUNNING GOOD. VERY COMMON WITH THESE ENGINES.

Thanks, guys. I replaced the fuel filter yesterday. I'll put some miles on it today to see if that did the trick.

HOPE SO BUT BET NOT. ALSO CHECK THE DISTRIBUTOR SHAFT PLAY. THESE ENGINES ARE HARD ON DISTRIBUTORS ALSO.

The bushing in the distributor that supports the shaft wears out and that begins to happen. If you can buy the bushings, used to be able to order from Napa And GM but I believe GM no longer sells them. anyway if you can buy them buy two and press both of them in and you will never have the problem again. They used to cost about a buck and a half. They are very easy to push in and even if the shaft has some wear the second bushing will solve the problem.

Best to just get a reman dist. there cheap at local auto parts places. useually if the bushings are worn so is shaft

You have to be careful now when you buy re? parts. Generally rebuilt starters, alternators, and distributers means they replaced the broken or non functioning components. Remanufactured means everything was checked and replaced and put back to as new.

i use orielys and about all there parts now are lifetime guarantee

I worked for them and my son still manages a store. That is where my previous comment came from. I'm not a fan of the "Green Team" but that is personal. They all get their rebuilds from the same guys. But a lifetime warranty is a good thing and they do honor that.

Update:
Well I replaced the fuel filter, which after three years it needed. Overall the car has been running well although there is a slight occasional hiccup. This morning it ran great until I got halfway up a hill. Not a huge grade but enough to make the engine work a bit harder than usual. Anyway, It starting running rough, almost like it was starving for fuel. When I stepped on the gas it ran smoother but when I was trying to maintain a speed it ran badly, not firing on all cylinders. I got to my destination and back in my parking space still running like crap.

How about the fuel pump? I don't know what they run on the 194 but it was only $20 on my 250. I'd also blow through the lines when you have it apart to verify the fuel lines aren't clogged.

Might need a carb rebuild as well.

I finally cracked open the carburetor yesterday and found this little piece sticking out of the brass screw orifice next to the float pivot. Could this be what's causing my engine to run badly?

Yes, that will reduce fuel flow if it was stuck in the jet.

MBHD

I'd consider rebuilding the whole thing. Might be more inside there...