I am on my first project car ever so bare with me. I changed the plugs, points, rotor, condinser, coil, set the timing, and the engine sounds great BUT... the power isn't making it to the wheels. the car is just sluggish. it came with a 302 / C4 and I am trying to figure out if maybe it is geared wrong or the transmission is the issue. I think that the car has the original rear axle attached to the C4 tansmission. the drive shaft looks brand new but the axle itself looks as old as all the other "stuff" back there. could this be an issue? what would you troubleshoot next?
Probably not,since older ford rears had numericly higher gears if anything it should accelerate quicker,I might suspect a timing issue,what are you running for a distributor? are there any mods to the engine? Does the transmission seemlike it is slipping? Has the car sat for awhile before you got it?
I'd be happy to help you out if you'd bring the car by my place. I PM'd you with my phone and location. It's hard to diagnose a problem such as yours without being able to see the car. Eric
Eric - i would love to take you up on that offer. However, I am about 4.5 hours away from you I think (just south of austin). I don't think the car has seen much use in the last couple years. the transmission doesn't seem to be slipping. I had a friend help me out with the timing but we used the prior setters mark so now not sure how accurate it was. it sounds much better after the ignition adjustments were made. It just seems there should be more to get out of that motor.
while I am at it - I should ask for recomendation on San Marcos/Austin area mechanic that can help me out with this stuff - I know there are things that I just can't tackle on my own.
The hippest place in the world is the Austin Speed Shop. Ask for Bob (Bleed). He's a hell of a nice guy (and a HAMBer - "bobbleed") and I'm sure he'd be pleased to be asked. Let us know how you make out, okay? Austin Speed Shop 1414 S. Lamar Blvd. Austin, TX 78704 512-693-7277 office 512-693-7278 fax www.austinspeedshop.com _ Eric
I went to high school with Bob, he's a real nice guy. My dad actually sold his dad a '58 Ford barn find. 12k on the engine, original tires- this was in around '91- for $800. I wish I had that car now...
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