Hey guys. Been awhile. I need ya'lls help. I should be able to figure this out on my own,but apperently I have forgotten the basics. Two weeks ago I was driving my Pimpala and the throttle stuck momentarily,( didn't concern me much since the temp sensing wire has a tendacy to get in the way occasionally,I know,I know....should fix it,anyway) i tapped the throttle and it was fine. I was in town and headed to a buddy"s house to grab a spare tire and some tools to help another buddy who had a flat(another story in itself).Well, i went on and grabbed the stuff and went on and drove to the other side of town...30 minute in-town drive...no problems. Changed the tire,hopped on the interstate and started booking it back to the country.....20 miles of highway...no problems. Got off the exit ramp and the car died. Just like you turned the key off. ??? Weird,car has never done that.Started it up,and it was fine.Pulled up to the traffic light,waited for it turn green,it did, took off up the highway...no problems.Went about two miles and the car started knocking/clattering like MAD!!! Glanced down at the oil pressure real quick,it was fine, and shut it off instantly. Thank God I was able to coast into an empty car wash,about 11:30 at night. That's when me and my girlfriend took a moment of silence for "The Great Pimpala Travesty".................. I called my neighbor,and best bud, he grabbed his truck and my enclosed and was on the way. Thank God for bud's that are night owls
While I was waiting(read
outing :cry: ) I popped the hood to console the car and noticed my air cleaner had rotated around backwards. Odd. Let me just spin that baby around and tighten the stud down.....where's the stud?...where's the stud.....WHERE IS THE STUD?!?! Yep,ya'll know where it went. Number 7 intake valve. Guess we know what caused that pesky throttle hiccup,too,huh? Well, next day i pulled the intake and the stud was poking out and I extracted it. Pulled the spring off that valve.....and it was fine !! Did a leak down test...fine. Moved the valve up and down and twirled it in the guide...fine. Borrowed a friend's bore-scope(very cool snap-on toy with color screen...nice) and took a peak at the seat...fine. Push rod is fine. Put the spring and all back on,did a compression test...fine. Everything checked out fine!! Went ahead and put new cap,rotor,plugs and wires on since the engine has right at 50,000 miles on it and I have never touched it since I put it in the car.Started it up and it won't run for crap. Had to jack the idle screw up a turn and a half just to keep it running the set the timing.Got it set fine. But now the car idles rough(though it does sound wicked :twisted: rumpity,rumpity,rumpity...)wants to foul the plugs(all 8) and is not responsive at all. got to ease into it to bring engine speed up,and then it returns to idle real slowly. Thought it might be a vacuum leak,but checked all mating surfaces with starting fluid and it seems to be fine. I have double and triple checked everything from distributor phasing to valve adjustment(which I didn't fool with prior,but all is fine),but apparently have overlooked something. Pretty bad when you can't even pull an intake and set it back on without problems
ops: So there it is with all the details(probably too many) I can think to give you. She's broke and I'm sad. ANY ADVICE GREATLY DESIRED!!! Sorry for rambling,been awhile since I been on here so I guess I'm just making up for lost time. Ya'll still awake?...hello?...uh...zzzzz....ok...later