How do I trouble shoot an engine skip in a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado 500

Tiny
EARLE
  • MEMBER
  • 1976 CADILLAC ELDORADO
  • 120,000 MILES
I replaced the timing chain and gears also the water pump. The car had the skip before this and still after. I also replaced the plugs, wires and rotor. It skips when the engine is cold or hot. Under the rocker covers was a lot of carbon particles which I cleaned out. Could a valve be sticking? The engine is a 500 with a 4 barrel carb. Thanks for any advice.
Monday, October 10th, 2011 AT 5:00 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Did you replace the distributor cap and rotor? If not, did you inspect the cap for cracks?
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Monday, October 10th, 2011 AT 5:04 PM
Tiny
EARLE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I did replace the rotor and inspected the cap. I also checked for spark and continuity. I had thought it was a timing problem which is why I replaced the chain and gears. When piston 1 is tdc the timing mark lines up with the 0 on the scale but the rotor seems to be in the wrong place. When I put the timing light on it the mark is still at 0 but is supposed to be 6 degrees advanced. Is it possible I skipped a tooth when I reinstalled the distributor or timing gear and chain? Adjusting the distributor helps some but it still runs rough. Thanks
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2011 AT 3:37 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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It sounds like you are a tooth off on the distributor. Line up the timing marks to TDC and the rotor should be pointing at the #1 plug wire on the distributor. It's really easy to be off one tooth.
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2011 AT 4:17 PM
Tiny
EARLE
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Thank you.
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2011 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Let me know what you find.
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Wednesday, October 12th, 2011 AT 12:15 AM

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