The gremlins have taken over my car
 

I am trying to finish my Stocker, but these little gremlins keep popping up. First, it was the transmission,so I fixed that problem. Well, I finally made it to our local track, not good. The weather sucked... hot, hot and hot. The oxygen altitude was 6200 ft., not good for testing. The car idles just fine, starts easy and drives around the pits just fine. The problem is when I stage the car and come up on the converter (needs more stall). The car starts to rise on the suspension, and around 3000 rpm, it starts to miss, stutter, pop, bang, etc. . It feels like it is on the chip, but it doesn't have one. I have checked the fuel system, changed the carb. ...still the same. So I changed the coil and the MSD box... still no go. Then, I checked the plug wires, grounds, dist. cap, rotor and the dist. pick up, all checked good. Then I ran a compression test. The cylinders went from 175 psi to185 psi. I even looked at the valve train... still nothing. The next thing I will check is the alt., to see if I am getting any feed back. I'm really hoping that someone will have some suggestions for me.

Re: The gremlins have taken over my car
 

What MSD box?

Re: The gremlins have taken over my car
 

Alan do you have solid core spark plug wires? Because if you do get rid of them as they will cause RF interference with the MSD box. This will cause a misfire that sounds like you are on a two-step. This condition is worse if the MSD box is mounted close to the dist.Hope this helps you out as I learned this the hard way about 20 years ago. Use suppression core wires ONLY with MSD ignitions. ( don't forget the coil wire too).

Re: The gremlins have taken over my car
 

Try unplugging your tach. That happened to me once. It may be worth a try.

Re: The gremlins have taken over my car
 

1320 Racer it is a MSD 7AL-2 box it was brand new.I used the MSD wiring harness and all the wiring is new.

Kevin it has new MSD 8.5 wires and the box is mounted on the passenger side floor.

Danny I hope it's something that simple.
I have Ohm out the plug wires,dist pick-up,grounds and just about every thing else. I did notice when I pulled the plugs.The plugs show that it is lean,but the exhaust shows rich.Could I have a internal vacuum leak.

Re: The gremlins have taken over my car
 

A head gasket blown between 2 cylinders will maintain cranking compression, and pop out both the exhaust and intake, and gets especially loud under load. A leakdown will confirm or eliminate that concern.

Is it popping out the carburetor in sort of a rapid-fire? How about a wiped cam? You say you checked the valvetrain though.

If a valve was hanging open or bent, you wouldn't get good compression, but if you have hydraulic lifters that have some travel in the plunger, perhaps they are adjusted a little too tight. I'm thinking the lifters leak down when the engine is off, which would still show good compression, but prevent the valves from seating when oil pressure is increased.

Re: The gremlins have taken over my car
 

Even though you say the pickup checked good, I'd changed it.

Based on your description, I had the same problem at 3200 rpm and after changing everything except the pickup, including the box 3 times, a new pickup solved the issue.


After you solve your ignition problem, you've got to fix this!

Re: The gremlins have taken over my car
 

Well, here is what I tried today. First, I removed the alternator from the system, unplugged tachometer, and changed the battery. Still the same problems. Tomorrow, I will do a leak down test and reset the valves. I will also rob the pickup out of a buddies dist. and try that. Thanks for everyone's help. So far it isn't looking like I will be going to Houston but, I still may be able to make the IHRA race in Dallas in August.

Re: The gremlins have taken over my car
 

are you using the complete stock wiring in the car,i had A FUSIABLE link that caused that same problems,its a longshot but what the hay,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Re: The gremlins have taken over my car
 

Alan call me. Rod

Re: The gremlins have taken over my car
 

Well the gremlins finely left, I guess they felt sorry for me.But here is the update. First I ran a leek down test, that's when I noticed there was a fine line on making the motor seal.Just a couple of crank degrees either way and it would blow though the carb or exhaust.I then pulled the valve covers and started to run the valves.I set the valves the Chevy way EOIC that's what the mopar guys call it(LOL). So I go over to the tool box and pull out the old Direct Connection valve adj decal. I start to run the valves and find some tight and one real loose.I button every thing up and fire the car sounds great.Pull it out on the road lean into it and were off to the races.Tony you hit the nail right on the head thanks. Rod good talking to you hope you make it down in a couple of weeks. Thanks for every ones help and advice.

are you using the complete stock wiring in the car,i had A FUSIABLE link that caused that same problems,its a longshot but what the hay,,,,,,,,,,,,
Larrylomascolo this is stock right(LOL). The lights and the power windows runs off the stock harness, and the rest runs off a painless harness.

Re: The gremlins have taken over my car
 

Alan, I was just reading this. I am glad to see you got it !! Get it out there soon man !!

Re: The gremlins have taken over my car
 

Double check your ground connections. They are extrememly important when using an MSD. The ground wire from the box should go directly to the engine block. Be sure you have a ground strap running from the block to the chassis as well. Good luck.