86 T/A, TPI, stumbling/ stalling/ Etc.

[Akodo]

I bought an 86 T/A over the weekend. Solid ride, underbody looks brand new, next to NO rust. Interior is a little rough, but the real problem is under the hood.

Car was REALLY cheap, so I bought it despite its issues. At first, it wouldn't idle at all, but it started easy. Started poking around, found the vacuum advance line was gone, and one plug wire was broken. So, we tore in and:

Fixed the broken vacuum line
All new plugs (properly gapped)
All new plug wires
New fuel filter
New air filter
New battery
Seafoamed it.

The fuel we dumped out of the filter was very brown, looked almost like chocolate milk. We fixed a couple of other vacuum leaks as well.

The vacuum advance connector, just to the front right of the distributor, has 2 port holes in it. One is running to the right side rear of the TPI, the other is missing. So I know I have to figure out where it is supposed to go, or if there is supposed to be a connection there. I also still need to replace 1 plug and wire, the drivers side rear one. Didn't have my jack stands with me.

Now, the car will only start if you hold it at WOT. It idles, a little rough, at about 800 rpm, flutters up to 1k and almost to stalling (400 rpm). If you put it in gear, it comes close to stalling, and "surges" against the brakes.
While driving, it has low power, and seems to dump when it shifts, almost stalling.

The engine is a 305 TPI, though it is supposedly a 350, I doubt it. If it was a carb, I'd say it was flooding out, or running lean, but how to fix a TPI that is doing it? Is that whats going on? Ideas, thoughts?

The gas that was in the car when I bought it was 2-3 years old, the guy I bought it from had it idling for awhile, so I'm not sure how much of it the car burned. He did run it dry right before we got there to pick it up, so I'm sure that alot of sediment from the tank got sucked up. How should I go about cleaning the injectors?

Supposedly, this engine is a 350 out of an 80's Vette. Yeah, right. The only thing that leads me to think this even MIGHT be true is the valve covers are stamped Chevy. Of course, they are aftermarket, so that don't mean dick. I would guess this is the original 305. Theres a ton of wiring sitting on top of the stamp on the block, so I haven't been able to read it.

I'm planning on Saturday replacing the last plug, verifying/ checking all of the vacuum lines, checking the timing, and changing the oil. Oh, and re-wiring the fan.

[tenpin842]

Also check the Mass Air Flow Sensor. Make sure its plugged in!
Expensive little guy....but it's needed.
That's almost what it sounds like.

Are there any check engine lights on?

To check the Fuel injectors your going to need an ohm meter.

There is a few different things you can check.
TPS (throttle position sensor)

When you check the timing, a brown wire (single wire) needs to be unplugged.
It's along the fire wall on the passenger side.

Check your fuel pressure, there is a valve on the fuel rail on the passenger side.
Stock should be 46ish psi. Remember to unplug the vacuum line to your Fuel pressure regulator when doing this.

If it's not gone yet, CUT the belt to that air (smog) pump. There should be 1 belt just for that.
You can actually unbolt that whole pump if you wanted to.
That was the 1st thing I did. Then when I bought my SLP air intake. I shit canned the charcoal emissions crap.
Headers = getting rid of all that crap clogging up your motor compartment! All the air injection/emissions crap.

not sure what else I can tell ya. If you need pics of anything let me know. I cleaned up my motor compartment just about the best you can.

[Akodo]

Also check the Mass Air Flow Sensor. Make sure its plugged in!
Expensive little guy....but it's needed.
That's almost what it sounds like.

Are there any check engine lights on?

To check the Fuel injectors your going to need an ohm meter.

There is a few different things you can check.
TPS (throttle position sensor)

When you check the timing, a brown wire (single wire) needs to be unplugged.
It's along the fire wall on the passenger side.

Check your fuel pressure, there is a valve on the fuel rail on the passenger side.
Stock should be 46ish psi. Remember to unplug the vacuum line to your Fuel pressure regulator when doing this.

If it's not gone yet, CUT the belt to that air (smog) pump. There should be 1 belt just for that.
You can actually unbolt that whole pump if you wanted to.
That was the 1st thing I did. Then when I bought my SLP air intake. I shit canned the charcoal emissions crap.
Headers = getting rid of all that crap clogging up your motor compartment! All the air injection/emissions crap.

not sure what else I can tell ya. If you need pics of anything let me know. I cleaned up my motor compartment just about the best you can.

Thanks for the info, I'll check all that out. Hmmm, I just happen to have a set of headers that came with the car too..... Will that cause any problems with the CPU if you pull all that stuff off?

One of the belts, the one that runs the power steering pump, is already broken. Put that on the list of things to fix this weekend.

Check engine light is ON. Forgot about that. With an 86, I assume its the ALDL connector where you short the two pins together? I'll see what it flashes out tonight.

Whats the resistance of a good injector?

I wouldn't mind seeing some pics of your engine bay. I'm trying to decide what I want to do with mine. Probably lots of chrome, braided hoses, and some replacement valve covers for the Moroso ones that are on there, since they say Chevrolet.