YACT: Eng problems with 1972 Corvette (*she's working good now*)

[LordRaiden]

I've got a 1972 Corvette, almost totally stock with a few minor engine mods and leather seats in a nice deep crimson red and less than 20k miles on it. The car is immaculate and in perfect condition except for one thing. The engine is sluggish. It's almost totally stock (as this being a 31 year old classic I wanted to keep it as original as possible yet still road legal.) so I know that there aren't any mods that might have failed. The only thing I can think of is that either the gas is too old or that it's relative lack of use (it's got just short of 20k miles on it) might have gummed up the engine. Last fall when I put it into storage for the winter it was quite energetic. Today when I drove it to work it was sluggish and tended to stutter when taking off. The tank is left almost empty all winter while it's in storage then filled in the spring and given an oil change. It's sat in my garage since about May undriven since bringing it out of storage under a car cover. It exibited normal sluggishness at that point when it was brought out (does the same thing every year after it's brought out of winter storage) and after a tank of gas and a few runs around the block its fine again.

I've entioned everything I can think of to why it might be sluggish. Anyone else got any ideas? I haven't driven it all summer because I haven't had the time so I decided to drive it to work for a few days to let it air itself out. When the engine is running right it should just about snap my neck if I punch the accelorator.

EDIT: Well, after spraying the sh*t out of my carb with cleaner and some WD40 to lube it up, it's running great this morning. Did a test run through the country just a few minutes ago and I think I ripped up a couple hundred cubic feet of roadway with some of my takeoffs. Woohoo!

 

[PG]

Probably just needs a tune up and carb adjustment.

 

[Papagayo]

My friend just bought 1971 Big block (454) Corvette and it's a monster..
I 'll ask him later to see if he know what to do..

 

[LordRaiden]

Originally posted by: PG
Probably just needs a tune up and carb adjustment.

So you think a run to the dealer would be best? I was thinking that a couple days of driving would sort this out, but I'll definately talk to the dealer and see if I need to bring it in. I guess I was looking for the easy way out of this. Oh well.

 

[PG]

Oops, didn't read it all at first. You probably have some water in the gas too. Use some Heet type stuff to clear it up. Water vapor will get into the gas over the winter. It might be better to leave the tank mostly full.

No, don't run to a dealer, they are way too expensive. This is an old fashioned car and an older mechanic with carb experience would be best, but probably not needed at this point.

 

[LordRaiden]

Originally posted by: Papagayo
My friend just bought 1971 Big block (454) Corvette and it's a monster..
I 'll ask him later to see if he know what to do..

That would be great.

PG: I'll try putting a couple bottles of HEET in the tank when I go home tonight.

 

[notfred]

Invest in a can of carburetor cleaner.

 

[Electric Amish]

Have you checked the plugs and wires?

 

[The Stigenator]

your carbs are gummed up for sure..

I would suggest some carb cleaner (take teh carbs off the engine) get some yamaha carb solution (any motorcycle shop should have it) put one part of it and 3 parts gas.. let it set for 24 hrs and periodically give it a shake.. then drain it and fill it with fresh fuel and then drain it again and assemble it back up on the engine.

When you store a car/bike you use full tank of gas, and you use a bit of Stabil. You pour stabil run the car / bike for a few miles (one or two) and then let her sit... that way you wont get gummed up carbs.

 

[IamElectro]

Tune up and change the fuel filter.

 

[LordRaiden]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy
your carbs are gummed up for sure..

I would suggest some carb cleaner (take teh carbs off the engine) get some yamaha carb solution (any motorcycle shop should have it) put one part of it and 3 parts gas.. let it set for 24 hrs and periodically give it a shake.. then drain it and fill it with fresh fuel and then drain it again and assemble it back up on the engine.

When you store a car/bike you use full tank of gas, and you use a bit of Stabil. You pour stabil run the car / bike for a few miles (one or two) and then let her sit... that way you wont get gummed up carbs.

So a full tank of gas when storing a car is better? I always thought it was the other way around. Hmm. I'll try that this winter.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: LordRaiden

Originally posted by: The_good_guy
your carbs are gummed up for sure..

I would suggest some carb cleaner (take teh carbs off the engine) get some yamaha carb solution (any motorcycle shop should have it) put one part of it and 3 parts gas.. let it set for 24 hrs and periodically give it a shake.. then drain it and fill it with fresh fuel and then drain it again and assemble it back up on the engine.

When you store a car/bike you use full tank of gas, and you use a bit of Stabil. You pour stabil run the car / bike for a few miles (one or two) and then let her sit... that way you wont get gummed up carbs.

So a full tank of gas when storing a car is better? I always thought it was the other way around. Hmm. I'll try that this winter.

It helps to have the Stabil in it as well.

 

[Chadder007]

8o

Want to sell it to me??

Also new cars sometimes don't use a carb anymore right??

 

[IamElectro]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish

Originally posted by: LordRaiden

Originally posted by: The_good_guy
your carbs are gummed up for sure..

I would suggest some carb cleaner (take teh carbs off the engine) get some yamaha carb solution (any motorcycle shop should have it) put one part of it and 3 parts gas.. let it set for 24 hrs and periodically give it a shake.. then drain it and fill it with fresh fuel and then drain it again and assemble it back up on the engine.

When you store a car/bike you use full tank of gas, and you use a bit of Stabil. You pour stabil run the car / bike for a few miles (one or two) and then let her sit... that way you wont get gummed up carbs.

So a full tank of gas when storing a car is better? I always thought it was the other way around. Hmm. I'll try that this winter.

It helps to have the Stabil in it as well.

Full tank of gas means less chance for moisture to form. Good advice above..

 

[LordRaiden]

Originally posted by: IamElectro
Full tank of gas means less chance for moisture to form. Good advice above..

Duely noted.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: Chadder007
8o

Want to sell it to me??

Also new cars sometimes don't use a carb anymore right??

I dont' think any new car in the US uses a carb.

 

[The Stigenator]

Originally posted by: LordRaiden

Originally posted by: The_good_guy your carbs are gummed up for sure.. I would suggest some carb cleaner (take teh carbs off the engine) get some yamaha carb solution (any motorcycle shop should have it) put one part of it and 3 parts gas.. let it set for 24 hrs and periodically give it a shake.. then drain it and fill it with fresh fuel and then drain it again and assemble it back up on the engine. When you store a car/bike you use full tank of gas, and you use a bit of Stabil. You pour stabil run the car / bike for a few miles (one or two) and then let her sit... that way you wont get gummed up carbs.

So a full tank of gas when storing a car is better? I always thought it was the other way around. Hmm. I'll try that this winter.

less air to oxidize the fuel..

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy

Originally posted by: LordRaiden

Originally posted by: The_good_guy your carbs are gummed up for sure.. I would suggest some carb cleaner (take teh carbs off the engine) get some yamaha carb solution (any motorcycle shop should have it) put one part of it and 3 parts gas.. let it set for 24 hrs and periodically give it a shake.. then drain it and fill it with fresh fuel and then drain it again and assemble it back up on the engine. When you store a car/bike you use full tank of gas, and you use a bit of Stabil. You pour stabil run the car / bike for a few miles (one or two) and then let her sit... that way you wont get gummed up carbs.

So a full tank of gas when storing a car is better? I always thought it was the other way around. Hmm. I'll try that this winter.

less air to oxidize the fuel..

You mean if I leave my tank half full for years it'll start burning inside?

:Q

 

[LordRaiden]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: The_good_guy

Originally posted by: LordRaiden

Originally posted by: The_good_guy your carbs are gummed up for sure.. I would suggest some carb cleaner (take teh carbs off the engine) get some yamaha carb solution (any motorcycle shop should have it) put one part of it and 3 parts gas.. let it set for 24 hrs and periodically give it a shake.. then drain it and fill it with fresh fuel and then drain it again and assemble it back up on the engine. When you store a car/bike you use full tank of gas, and you use a bit of Stabil. You pour stabil run the car / bike for a few miles (one or two) and then let her sit... that way you wont get gummed up carbs.

So a full tank of gas when storing a car is better? I always thought it was the other way around. Hmm. I'll try that this winter.

less air to oxidize the fuel..

You mean if I leave my tank half full for years it'll start burning inside?

:Q

HAHAHAHA. I think it would be good to have some automotive antiacid for that.

 

[Vette73]

To store a car you need to put some fuel stabilizer in the tank. Fill the tank up. And then disconnect the fuel line going to the fuel pump and run teh car until it will not run, that way there is no gas in the carb or lines going to the carb.

 

[LordRaiden]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
To store a car you need to put some fuel stabilizer in the tank. Fill the tank up. And then disconnect the fuel line going to the fuel pump and run teh car until it will not run, that way there is no gas in the carb or lines going to the carb.

I always heard that running a car out of gas, even the way you're talking, is a bad idea and may hurt the fuel system. I could be wrong, but that's what I remember hearing.

 

[Salvador]

Your carbs are gummed up. You probably have tarnish clogging the jets. I'll tell you what to buy.. About ten years ago I came across this stuff called Sea Foam. I swear by it. I think it was originated for the marine world. You can get it at an auto parts store, small engine repair shop or marine supply place. It's sort of like Stabil, but much better. I've put some in old lawn mower engines that haven't been used for years and the things just kick over. Amazing.. I keep it in my car tanks and motorcycle tanks when storing. What I like about it is that it will not dry out your gaskets like Stabil does. I used to use Stabil and I'd end up with leaks because it would dry up the gaskets in the carbs and in the petcocks on my motorcycles. The other thing that I love about Sea Foam is that it really does a great job of disolving the gunk and tarnish after it has set up. Stabil will not do this.

Short of Sea Foam, I would pull the carb (or have someone pull it), soak the thing and then either rebuild it or reajust it. Try the Sea Foam first though.. You'll be amazed by this stuff. You can also use it in your crank case (add it to your oil). I usually add some to the gas through the tank. I'll add some through the carb opening and put some in the crank case. They even make some Sea Foam for the transmission if you want to try it. I've never used it though.

I just ran a search on Google. This is the stuff. I'd try this first and see what happens. Worse case scenario is that you have to pull the carb off and soak it to get the gunk and varnish out of it.

Sal

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: LordRaiden

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
To store a car you need to put some fuel stabilizer in the tank. Fill the tank up. And then disconnect the fuel line going to the fuel pump and run teh car until it will not run, that way there is no gas in the carb or lines going to the carb.

I always heard that running a car out of gas, even the way you're talking, is a bad idea and may hurt the fuel system. I could be wrong, but that's what I remember hearing.

That is incorrect. You want the engine to have NO fuel in it. Make sure the oil level is up to where it is supposed to be, and top off all the other fluids.

Do the same thing to motorcycles. I bought a 86 Shadow and the owner did NOT drain the fuel before storing it. I have to take all the fuel lines off, overhaul the carbs, etc... It was nasty.

Gas tank full, carbs empty.

 

[Lvis]

I would change the fuel filter too. Clogged ones can cause what you are describing. Most likely you have a gummed up carb though.

 

[JC]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy

Originally posted by: LordRaiden

Originally posted by: The_good_guy your carbs are gummed up for sure.. I would suggest some carb cleaner (take teh carbs off the engine) get some yamaha carb solution (any motorcycle shop should have it) put one part of it and 3 parts gas.. let it set for 24 hrs and periodically give it a shake.. then drain it and fill it with fresh fuel and then drain it again and assemble it back up on the engine. When you store a car/bike you use full tank of gas, and you use a bit of Stabil. You pour stabil run the car / bike for a few miles (one or two) and then let her sit... that way you wont get gummed up carbs.

So a full tank of gas when storing a car is better? I always thought it was the other way around. Hmm. I'll try that this winter.

less air to oxidize the fuel..

No, less space in the tank for moisture-containing air