we need an auto repair advice sub-forum!

[go bo]

happy bye week, guys!

i have another interesting problem with my 06 toyota matrix...

this is apparently an intermittent problem, but when i turn the key i get nothing, like the key turns but the car seems to thinks it is not in park...

i tried shifting and tried park and neutral and nothing...

so i have it towed to the auto electric shop and the poor guy tries to get it to fail so he could be sure what needs to be fixed...

he never could get it to fail, so i go and pick it up...

we drive to dinner and back home (maybe 20 miles total) and everything's fine...

until the next day when we go out to start it, it not only won't start like before...

now i can't move the gear shift at all...

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Monty

I've done a quick search, so I'm assuming that the auto repair sub forum didn't happen, but I'm looking for some assistance for my Command Center in getting the timing adjusted and improve the performance on my 1974 Olds 455. I had this vehicle in storage for almost 5 years, but was able to get it running again by replacing the starter, ignition coils, distributor and wiring, and ignition wiring. My issue now is how it runs. I can get it to/from the stadium ok, but noticed that I have no real power going uphill and think that the timing could be the culprit. I still have points on this vehicle, so going with HEI would be the next step? I'd love to find someone local that could assist.

I’ve never messed with a 455. But on most of the chevys you can adjust timing by turning the distributor. Gotta keep yourself out of the fan belt, but it’s not that hard to change. I’m sure there is a technical way to do it but that’s the farmer way.

I’d guess it is more likely that it is a carburetor problem. I am absolutely NOT a carbeurator guy. Fuel injection for the WIN. But if it’s idling smooth my guess (remember - not a carbeurator guy) you have a vacuum leak and the secondaries won’t open.

You can pretty easily do a visual inspection of vacuum hoses but if you’re going to try and test them you probably need help.

It could also be some gunk in the carbeurator affecting flow. If that’s the problem you can buy some fuel system cleaner. If that doesn’t work then you have to take it apart and clean it. That’s a little tougher.

[Monty]

Yep, vacuum issues are next and I need some help with that from someone I can trust. The idle is good, it’s when I give it some gas that I have issues. Kinda kills the whole glass packs effect when revving the engine.

[cooper barrett]

Lets start with what you have done I see it had sat for a while and after a battery it would not crank?Then you put in a starter and it would crank? Did it start after that? If so how did it run?

I need answers before i can help you further.

I used to sell and teach classes for a major engine diagnostic equipment company. We can fix this.

Originally Posted by Monty

I've done a quick search, so I'm assuming that the auto repair sub forum didn't happen, but I'm looking for some assistance for my Command Center in getting the timing adjusted and improve the performance on my 1974 Olds 455. I had this vehicle in storage for almost 5 years, but was able to get it running again by replacing the starter, ignition coils, distributor and wiring, and ignition wiring. My issue now is how it runs. I can get it to/from the stadium ok, but noticed that I have no real power going uphill and think that the timing could be the culprit. I still have points on this vehicle, so going with HEI would be the next step? I'd love to find someone local that could assist.

[Monty]

Originally Posted by displacedinMN

Automobiles have a mind of their own and do this shit on purpose

I missed this the first time, but you said a mouthful!

[Monty]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

Lets start with what you have done I see it had sat for a while and after a battery it would not crank?Then you put in a starter and it would crank? Did it start after that? If so how did it run?

I need answers before i can help you further.

I used to sell and teach classes for a major engine diagnostic equipment company. We can fix this.

Thanks! Yes, it sat for almost 5 years. The pic you see is of the vehicle at a game this year, so it's running. I can get from point A to B, but it feels like it
"sticks" a bit when I rev it up. It's not smooth at that point even though it idles quite nicely. I have a dwell tachometer and have checked that and it appears to be fine. Also, periodically, when I am going uphill, I don't have any real power. I realized doing this via the interwebz is hit and miss, but I have it in Independence and would really like someone who knows about these vehicles to take a look. I really think it's timing/vacuum issues.

[cooper barrett]

Look answer my questions!!


On top of what I asked before what do you mean,Dwell tack looks fine?
does the dwell tack have a nice color, shape, or gauge,
Speak car not gobbly gook

Originally Posted by Monty

Thanks! Yes, it sat for almost 5 years. The pic you see is of the vehicle at a game this year, so it's running. I can get from point A to B, but it feels like it
"sticks" a bit when I rev it up. It's not smooth at that point even though it idles quite nicely. I have a dwell tachometer and have checked that and it appears to be fine. Also, periodically, when I am going uphill, I don't have any real power. I realized doing this via the interwebz is hit and miss, but I have it in Independence and would really like someone who knows about these vehicles to take a look. I really think it's timing/vacuum issues.

[Monty]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

Look answer my questions!!


On top of what I asked before what do you mean,Dwell tack looks fine?
does the dwell tack have a nice color, shape, or gauge,
Speak car not gobbly gook

Sorry, I’m not a mechanic, but the dwell reading is supposed to .028-.032 Per my guide and that is at .031 Per the last reading.

[shitgoose]

Just my .02 but after sitting five years it probably wouldn't hurt to go through the carburetor and replace the fuel filter.

[Monty]

Originally Posted by shitgoose

Just my .02 but after sitting five years it probably wouldn't hurt to go through the carburetor and replace the fuel filter.

Already did that. All filters are new.

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by Monty

Sorry, I’m not a mechanic, but the dwell reading is supposed to .028-.032 Per my guide and that is at .031 Per the last reading.

this is a points ign not hei? where is the coil?

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by shitgoose

Just my .02 but after sitting five years it probably wouldn't hurt to go through the carburetor and replace the fuel filter.

keep the 2 cents....It would have stopped and never moved if it was clogged they used stone filters those days.

[stumppy]

I'd suggest checking/replacing the points and condensor. Check the spark plugs and make sure the new plug wires are going where they're suppose to. If what you're getting is an engine miss under a load that's where I'd look. Also, after sitting for 5 years I'd look at all the vacumn hoses. EGR valve working?

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by stumppy

I'd suggest checking/replacing the points and condensor. Check the spark plugs and make sure the new plug wires are going where they're suppose to. If what you're getting is an engine miss under a load that's where I'd look. Also, after sitting for 5 years I'd look at all the vacumn hoses. EGR valve working?

**** it idles smooth... The ****ing wire routing is not.... if it were an EGR valve it should do what? not do? What does an EGR valve actually do? I don't think you know....,you're Googling the****out of it, right now, aren't you.




...

[stumppy]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

**** it idles smooth... The ****ing wire routing is not.... if it were an EGR valve it should do what? not do? What does an EGR valve actually do? I don't think you know....,you're Googling the****out of it, right now, aren't you.




...

Oh that's right, you stayed at a Holiday Inn last night. If you don't think a GM V8 can't idle just fine yet miss under a load you should just right there.
Go find someone else to argue with about....well....all the shit you think you're an expert on.

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by stumppy

I'd suggest checking/replacing the points and condensor. Check the spark plugs and make sure the new plug wires are going where they're suppose to. If what you're getting is an engine miss under a load that's where I'd look. Also, after sitting for 5 years I'd look at all the vacumn hoses. EGR valve working?

hey Stumppy catch...LOL