No power, missing, backfiring

Tiny
DEPUTYSTONEMAN
  • MEMBER
  • CHEVROLET CAMARO
I have a 68 camaro with the 250 6 cylinder, 2 spd. Power glide. I went out for a ride and bingo, it started running like crap. Felt like it was running on 2 cylinders. Lots of missing/back firing type noises. Aboslutely no power on accelerating or pulling the smallest of inclines.

it has had a small backfiring problem when cold. But once warmed up it disappeared.

last month I timed it, new points, plugs, cap, wires. The neighborhood wrench set to carb. For me.

any ideas?

thanks for all your help.
Sunday, August 12th, 2007 AT 4:14 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
TEMPO NIGHTMARE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hello

In 1968 as you mentioned
Your distributor has a set of points and a condenser. Make sure your gap is set correctly. As well as timing. To much timing and it spits back through the Carb. To Little timing and it back fires thru the exhaust. So, Be sure you have the correct timing :wink:. Also check the Mechanical advance in the distributor. As the springs maybe worn out and or it maybe froze up.(Common occurance in that model year) Which is a common occurance when they sit for long periods of time. Or If it has vacuum advance check the Vacuum pot to see if it is operateing correctly. Pull the distributop cap off and disconnect the vacuum line from the carbureator and create a Vacuum. (Sucking on the hose should suffice) you should be able to see the Vacuum advance plate move inside the distributor. If it doesnt move then replace the Pot. As long as the advance plate in the distributor is Operable. (If not replace the distributor)Or possibly get one from your local Hotrod Shop or have it reconditioned. Because, With out it, As you accelerate the advance is what gives the motor power. No advance No Power. Which cause stalling, spitting, Popping and Hesitation. Or You may need to also re-set the choke. Depending on what state you live in. However, here in michigan in the older model cars you had to set the choke differently for winter and summer in those older model vehicles! :Roll:

Hope this helps. Let us know.
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Sunday, August 12th, 2007 AT 10:11 PM
Tiny
DEPUTYSTONEMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I pulled the distributor cap. The rubbing block, that is the black plastic piece on the points that rides on the distributor lobes looks flat. From the looks of it it does not look like that as the distributor turns the points would open.

Would this cause a dramatic loss of power and the other symtoms?
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Monday, August 13th, 2007 AT 3:27 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Crank the engine til you get the cam in the distributor to a high point on the (rubbing block) if the points don't open on a high point Regap them.
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Wednesday, August 15th, 2007 AT 5:33 PM
Tiny
DEPUTYSTONEMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I put new points and condenser in, gapped the points and it fired right up.

Thanks for your help
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Wednesday, August 15th, 2007 AT 7:15 PM

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