had a few issues, then after repair mileage didn't go back up :(

[travisr1988]

Ok, so a few months ago I replaced the timing chain set, distributor, and carb(with a freshly rebuilt qjet). I immediatelt got good results, the truck had more power, ran smooth, got better mileage(13mpg average city mostly). Shortly after it developed a misfire, then more misfires, so I replaced the plugs and wires with acdelco, wires were yellow pieces of junk before. Now my mileage went up again but not as much(11mpg city mostly). This truck doesn't see more than 60mph much, usually sees 45mph-50mph. It also idles a little rough(has a rv cam) and with a vacuum gauge i tuned the carb to get a consistant reading and the highest reading i got at a good idle(600-800rpm) was 15-16" which is low, vacuum lines all seem to be good. Truck never gets above first line on temp gauge, has new thermostat(195). Did I do something wrong? What should I replace? The distro was used so maybe the coil is bad? Can timing make that much of a difference? I'm not sure what it's timed at(don't have a timing light). I don't have a tach to verify idle, I went by ear, any lower the truck idles really rough, higher sounds like i'm on the gas. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Fairlane514]

Get a timing light and see where you are................Yes timing can make a big difference.

[Jason S]

 In addition to all the ignition components working properly; the initial timing, total timing (mechanical and vacuum advancement) and the rpm at which the total timing is "all in" can make a big difference in economy and power. A change in the ignition advance curve might help. If you have a stock GM HEI distributor, the advance is most likely setup for emissions than performance.

[travisr1988]

does anyone have suggestions for better distributors? I plan on doing a transpak soon, will that help? normally i'd ask my dad, but he wants me to sell my truck and get a dang honda so he won't help me. I want to restore this truck, add a sound system, build up a stout smallblock and keep it, it will take alot of time as funds are very limited, but i think it's worth it. however for the time being i'd like to get better gas mileage out of it.

[Fairlane514]

What distributor do you have now? Also check to see where you timing is now, its easy to do.

When you get your truck fixed, go buy the cheapest piece of junk honda you can find and run over it with your truck.

[travisr1988]

It's a factory replacement.

And lmao, that sounds like fun.

[theaddictedchef]

My wife and I had a debate before I bought my truck.....oddly enough she has an Accord - which is great for her, not for me. 

I told her that if my engine detonates going down the freeway I can rebuild it.....if her's does, we are buying a new car.  Let's see, parts are cheap, been around forever, and you can get them at Circle K......parts for the Honda are expensive, can't work on it if it's an electrical/mechanical/replacement issue.  For example, I changed my cigarette lighter today - works like a dream and now I can charge my cell phone.  Her cigarette lighter broke a month ago and I have to take the entire dash apart to get to it. 

Just thought that was funny as that was my exact argument before I bought my truck.......

[farmerchris]

was the carb rebuilt by a local person or shop,or a major rebuilder.was wonder if they check the throttle bushings or over tighten on install creating small leakage of gasket and carb body.maybe why there was initial good mileage that went away.also why low vacuum reading.seen where you can take a propane torch(on but unlit)and move around the carb while vehicle is running to detect carb leaks.

[travisr1988]

My dad rebuilt it. But the external parts dont work well like the ac solenoid

[travisr1988]

So I bought a timing light which also tells me my rpms. Set timing to 10 degrees advance, was retarded 4+ degrees, idles at 750 in park now 500 in drive. I had to take it to my dad because I couldn't get a good reading, vacuum and rpm kept surging on me, he spent an hour tweaking things and got it steady at 750 park/500 drive without using the vacuum gauge, I had it at 15-16" vacuum on the gauge. Seems to run better now, smoother, more responsive. Total timing is at 33, mechanical advance is not working fully so I'm gonna get a new dizzy.

[travisr1988]

Here's a scenario for you guys, it just happened to me, seems **!! always messes up on me in poor weather (long story). We just had a cold front come in today and my issues began with that cold front. Well, this morning the truck ran very well, but around lunch time it started running poorly and I mean really poor. It wouldn't idle, it sounded pathetic and I was told by a coworker it was pushing black smoke out of the tailpipe, however that coworker is known to exaggerate. After work another coworker who has a '78 chevy lent a hand, as it turns out my misadjusted choke that hasn't worked at all over the winter decided it would start working, so we adjusted it and the truck ran beautifully albeit the idle was as high as it was originally when we tried to adjust the choke to lower the idle in the fall. Ok, whatever it runs good now we'll leave it at that, he left to go home to his wife and baby. As soon as he left the parkinglot my truck died in gear after 30 seconds of being in gear, literally when I decided it was clear to move and let off the brake it stalled. Ok, I'll start it again right? Wrong! It cranked and cranked but would not start. So I figured it could be flooded, I'd leave it be for a few minutes and try again...Wrong! Still cranked but no start. hmmm...I called my dad to ask what I can do to get home (how I can get this dang truck started and running long enough to get home), he told me to look down the carb and see if there's gas pooled up, sure enough there is. Ok, so I need to rebuild the carb I guess...again. So I held the gas pedal to the floor to get it started, it started but died off after running for mere seconds (and terribly at that). So, I decided since things got better then worse when I messed with the choke I'd mess with it again. So I messed with the choke again and held teh gas pedal down and started it, this time I was able to keep it running and it ran good again. Choke is now at about 1/2" open on the blade. Check the tailpipes...gray smoke...great, that can't be good.


So what did I do wrong?
How do I fix the issues?
What does gray smoke mean?
Can I drive it to and from work for 3 more days before fixing it?