Thread: I'v still got engine problems

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Well guys I just so I just put on the NOS carb( Carter RBS ) well.... it starts fine, runs fine, seemed to run a bit rich until I adjusted the choke.. but still has no power.. timing seems just a little bouncy at idle, but it is correct and it does advance. If I put it in gear, the engine just floods up and dies, to the point of where, it dosn't even move. I checked point gap, rotor, firing order ect.. this has got me stumped. what else am I missing?

Starting to think a SBF swap and C4 will be the way to go

I havn't done a compression test yet, didn't think of doing 1 ( must have been out of it today ).. just thought about it.. I'll do 1 tomorrow

Along with your compression check, check the coil, distributor shaft wear (make sure it's not sloppy in it's bore), cam lobes for the points (no excessive wear or build up of grease), condensor, etc. A small ignition problem from the base of the low valtage side can simulate a flooding carb along with unstability and no power. I assume new plug wires and you've checked the resistor to the coil for power losses.

I havn't checked the coil resistor. didn't think of that.. I checked the points and re gapped them, the cam is good and theres just enough grease.. there actually Chevy 6cyl points so there really simple. I did pick up a new coil today while I was out. I'll check thr distributor shaft wear also, that crossed my mind while I was out.. I'm sure it's nothing major wrong, just I got to figure it out.. thanks for the help

Well, I did everything except change the coil and still no go.. plugs were really crappy. #1 was carbon and gas fouled.. compression is so so.. #1: 140 #2: 150 #3:130 #4:125 #5:130 #6:150

I'm starting to think the transmission is too tight and once the converter applys power to the trans, it's like hitting the brakes on the engine.

What engine is this and where is the timing set?

it is 8.7:1 I think... carb is brand new. car starts with the pop of the key..

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

What engine is this and where is the timing set?

AMC 196 6cyl, the timing is set to 10*, factory spec

I have the Factory TSM for the car.. also says I can advance timing to 14* if I wanted to, and run premium gas

Ok.. I can't verify oil preassure other than the light dosn't come on, and fuel preassure is probably right.

hmm... what would it take to swap in a 302/ C4 automatic?

Originally Posted by Matt167

Ok.. I can't verify oil preassure other than the light dosn't come on, and fuel preassure is probably right.

hmm... what would it take to swap in a 302/ C4 automatic?

more than what you're willing to do ......stay the course and resolve this first and then you have a better idea of going wild with it.

are there any other things I should look for with this engine? I did the dollar bill trick to check the valves and there ok, or at least. it passed the test.... I should stick the light on it again and make sure the timing is decently accurate, it seemed bouncy b4, but it was on 10*.. distributor shaft seems fine tho.. a new 1 would cost $55 but it's a special order and my parts place, can't verify they can even get the part until they try to order it...

I'll get this car going w/ this engine, but due to the limated parts availability and the fact that this car will be my daily driver... I think a swap to a more common engine is in the mix for the future. 302/C4 just seems about as common as they come, and the distributor location is kind of in the right place for a AMC.

Originally Posted by DennyW

Matt, did you use a dwell meter when checking the distributer while running, and putting a load on it ??

1 of the few things I do not have is a dwell meter, so that I have not done.


just unplugged advance and measured vac,.. holds steady but at only 10 HG

well, My dad took a look at it, figured out my vac check was way off cause I was taking it from the advance.. took it from the hose that goes to the vac pump, and hooked it to the gauge on the engine side.. it gets like 17 hg w/ tiny bit of flutter cold so it has 1 valve that somthing is up with, when the engine is cold only... anyway, gapping the old points wasn't good enough... broke out a new set of points and it has power again. car moves along pretty good now. it was pinging a lot ( sounded like an old diesel ) so we retarded it until it didn't ping anymore.

I did not realize that points could have that effect... But I do now..

anyway, thanks guys..

Low voltage side of the ignition system affects all of the ignition system.....wow, where have I heard that before. Now you have a better understanding and feel for the way the old beasts work.