Got me stumped
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 9,698
Likes: 823
From: Wentzville, MO
Got me stumped
I have a 292 .060, Ram exhausts, a mild Oregon Cam regrind, Petronix ignition, with a "B" manifold, Quick Fuel carb and a C4 automatic. The engine runs great off idle but dies every time it comes to a stop. I've changed to 3 different carbs (holley 390 to 650) and different distributor.I've adjusted lifters down as far as .015 and as loose as .019. I smoked the engine and it doesn't seem to have a vacuum leak.
Oregon Cam #2106 specs
210/214 @ .050", 254/254 adv, .445"/.456" lift (1.54:1 rocker), 108 lobe sep, Lobe Lift: .289” intake/ .296” exhaust, intake center line of 104 + or - 2°
Installed with stock timing set no advance.
I'm kinda lost on where to go with this engine. It never has more than about 12" of vacuum but runs very well off idle. I can't get it to idle at anything less than 800 RPM.
If you've got any ideas please let me know. I would really like to get this running for the upcoming season.
Oregon Cam #2106 specs
210/214 @ .050", 254/254 adv, .445"/.456" lift (1.54:1 rocker), 108 lobe sep, Lobe Lift: .289” intake/ .296” exhaust, intake center line of 104 + or - 2°
Installed with stock timing set no advance.
I'm kinda lost on where to go with this engine. It never has more than about 12" of vacuum but runs very well off idle. I can't get it to idle at anything less than 800 RPM.
If you've got any ideas please let me know. I would really like to get this running for the upcoming season.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 379
From: Southern California
Without being there, my #1 suspect would be the petronix..... they are well know for having QA issues. IMHO, I wouldn't run one. Swap it out for points and see if that takes care of it. I would also look at the vacume/mechanical advance as not having enough as far as lag goes and also look at the float level...might be too high causing a flood out situation.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,447
Likes: 5,517
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
every pertronix i have installed #1: opened plug gap to between 40 and 45.
#2: advanced timing between 4 and 6 degrees.
and finally re adjusted carb AFTER resetting plugs and timing.
i have installed over 100 pertronix ignitors in everything from farm tractors to 391 FT truck engines. and only had one bad one, and that was out of the box. there are at least 20 that i know of still running on the road for over 40 years now.
one 391FT engine has been rebuilt 4 times and has over 1 million miles on the truck since i put the ignitor in it.
#2: advanced timing between 4 and 6 degrees.
and finally re adjusted carb AFTER resetting plugs and timing.
i have installed over 100 pertronix ignitors in everything from farm tractors to 391 FT truck engines. and only had one bad one, and that was out of the box. there are at least 20 that i know of still running on the road for over 40 years now.
one 391FT engine has been rebuilt 4 times and has over 1 million miles on the truck since i put the ignitor in it.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 9,698
Likes: 823
From: Wentzville, MO
I'm not sure so I'll retrace some things. I've changed to two different Petronix modules AND a complete Petronix distributor. The modules ran on other engines so I'm not thinking they're the problem. I've torn the timing cover off to insure the chain is 12 pins between dots. I've installed two sets of plugs and three carbs, one was new outta the box. Also has new cap, rotor and wires, Petronix friendly. I've smoked the engine to try to find a vacuum leak, I've used both mechanical and electric fuel pumps. The heads have both been reworked with new valves, seats, seals and milled flat. I've never got the engine to idle since I installed the Oregon reground cam and refurbished lifters. According to folks that know cams this grind shouldn't effect idle nor vacuum. Specs are on my original post. I've been told that if the block and heads are milled too much there's the possibility of an intake misalignment and a possible vacuum leak. But I don't know how much either have been milled to know if this could be the case.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 8,687
Likes: 4,212
From: sussex county, nj
i would add checking the butterfly stop on the carb, lately i have seen many that allowed the blades to cover the idle ports in the base, turn the stop screw in just enough to start moving the plates and lock the nut .
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 210
Likes: 52
From: Rincon GA
YHere are a few other things you might want to try.
1. A leak down test and a compressioin test. Harbor Freight sells these so you won't break the bank getting this done.
2: Advance the timing. Your previous posts do not mention ignition timing so I assume it is set at the factory setting. I'm sure the folks at Oregon cams would give you great advice if you called them.
I borrowed the following text from the 335 series as an example of advanced timing due to a cam. Part of the 26 degree initial timing, in the post below, is due to the elevation so maybe not that much.
"I'm running a 400 with a Comp DEH265 cam. My timing is set at 26 degrees initial with no vacutme advance and the mechanical advance adds 10 degrees for a total advance of 36. The elevation here is 4500 feet. It runs like a house o fire on mid grade gas."
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/395716-will-aftermarket-camshaft-effect-timing.html#:~:text=The%20timing%20for%20when%20th e,the%20plug%20needs%20to%20happen.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/395716-will-aftermarket-camshaft-effect-timing.html#:~:text=The%20timing%20for%20when%20th e,the%20plug%20needs%20to%20happen."
1. A leak down test and a compressioin test. Harbor Freight sells these so you won't break the bank getting this done.
2: Advance the timing. Your previous posts do not mention ignition timing so I assume it is set at the factory setting. I'm sure the folks at Oregon cams would give you great advice if you called them.
I borrowed the following text from the 335 series as an example of advanced timing due to a cam. Part of the 26 degree initial timing, in the post below, is due to the elevation so maybe not that much.
"I'm running a 400 with a Comp DEH265 cam. My timing is set at 26 degrees initial with no vacutme advance and the mechanical advance adds 10 degrees for a total advance of 36. The elevation here is 4500 feet. It runs like a house o fire on mid grade gas."
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/395716-will-aftermarket-camshaft-effect-timing.html#:~:text=The%20timing%20for%20when%20th e,the%20plug%20needs%20to%20happen.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/395716-will-aftermarket-camshaft-effect-timing.html#:~:text=The%20timing%20for%20when%20th e,the%20plug%20needs%20to%20happen."
Last edited by ManFordman2; Feb 19, 2025 at 03:46 PM. Reason: to correct the link
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,132
Likes: 217
From: W (BY GOD) V
... C4 automatic. The engine runs great off idle but dies every time it comes to a stop.
Vacuum is way too low (w/o hot cam). Have you used a VACUUM GAUGE to diagnose (vacuum leak)?
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