My s-10 has a small block 350 in it... All of the sudden it has this kinda jutter to it...?

Question

Its all stock but has a set of headers on it.. only about 50k on the motor.., I changed the plugs today and it did nothing.. Its kinda like a skip in the motor... every 6-8 seconds or so... Anyone know what could be wrong? i dont think its a vacuum leak.. and i checked all the wires and they are all ok

Answer 1

I know exactly what your problem is. I to own a Chevy s10 with 355. If your truck has headers it has Blockhuggers. I know this because there the only ones that will fit in there. Those headers are so close to the motor, it makes it very hard to change the plugs in it and it is very easy to crack the porcelain on the new plug as your screwing it in. start it up at night were it is dark and you will be able to see what cylinder is doing it, there will be an arc of electricity going from the plug to probably the engine block. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

If the smoking exhaust is limited to one side of your V8, and only occurs during accelerating then I suspect worn piston rings. This can be checked by a dry and wet compression check. This is done by removing the spark plugs,fix the throttle 'wide-open', then check and record the compression of each cylinder. Then use an oil gun and squirt some clean oil into each spark-plug-hole before doing a compression re-check. The 'dry readings' should be between 100-150 PSI with no less than 20 or so PSI between the highest and lowest readings. The 'wet readings' should be higher and should have much less variation between cylinders. As you would suspect, the higher the dry readings the better, and expect to have the greatest variation between cylinders on the right side bank. If all cylinders read high and consistant, then the problem may be with the valves. Usually worn valve-stems cause more smoke at idle due to higher vacuum. If you choose to rebuild the engine, Auto Parts warehouses like Summit, Jegs, and PAW sell kits for that model 350 for under $200. The heads may be reconditioned at a local machine shop for @ $200 or may swap for rebuilt units for less. Note: if your engine was 'rebuilt' with new rings but didn't 'ridge and hone' the cylinders, it is possible the top ring broke or the rings are not seating. Good Luck

Answer 3

Hi Brian, sounds like you have low RPM miss. Check your distributor cap and plug wires. Make sure all your plugs are firing. Get a can of starter fluid in an aerosol spray can, and spray around the intake manifold to insure you don't have any vacuum leaks.

If this still doesn't work, I'm not sure about your carburation. Spray around the base of the carburetor and at the throttle blades of the carb. If the idle picks up or raises, then you have a vacuum leak.

Hope this helps - Good luck!

Answer 4

have you changed the fuel filter lately