Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific Mouse & Rat Motor Discussion & Conversions

302 Running rough, help?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 04:23 PM
  #1  
IDriveChevy's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena, Maryland
Default 302 Running rough, help?

Hey everyone, the 302 in my 69 z28 has been acting up recently. It has had issues breaking up past 5k rpm. Ive done the basics such as replaced cap and rotor, replaced ignition coil, checked valve lash, and done a compression test. Nothing has cleared up the issue.

Besides breaking up at high rpm, it would also backfire through the carb if you give it gas when idling. I also discovered that while checking for compression using my bump starter, the coil was arcing from the output to the ground on the coil. Maybe that could be the issue? Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction.
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 05:01 PM
  #2  
cambirdracing's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 2
From: League City Texas
Default

Coils are cheap. Replace it and see what happens. years ago I was working on a 67 that had a bored out 283 to 302 with 350 heads on it (screwed up combo, I know) and the valve springs were breaking. Who ever put the engine together put in used valve springs. Looked like they sat in about 1/2" water and were pitted real bad, would break the last coil off of them.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2012 | 07:08 PM
  #3  
bungy74's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Default

you should never see any arcing, always not good

the best way to check for an arc is to look under the hood in the dark, seen several arcs under my dads 67. was jumping from boots to header pipes
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 01:45 AM
  #4  
SS10Tech's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
From: NC
Default

Coils arent expensive - as mentioned before if you're seeing arcing i would look into replacing it. Also checking the ignition/spark plug wires for cracks in the insulation and/or around the protective boots. The breaking up could be cross talk as well as the coil.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 01:55 AM
  #5  
SS10Tech's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
From: NC
Default

As far as the carb goes, i would fix your electrical problems before blaming anything else quite yet. If symptoms still exist i have a hunch it is a lean backfire. Pull a few spark plugs and take a picture of one of them or look to see if they are soaked/black looking or white hazed or normal.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:37 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-04 18:13:20


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE