65 K10 has no acceleration power/ throttle response

[1970conroy]

Recently picked up a 65 k10 step side. PO gave up working on it and got it for a good deal. First i got the correct b&m shifter linkage because he made some linkage but it was wayyyyyyy off from what it was supposed to be. Anyway got it to engage properly and took it for a drive. The truck has absolutely no power or throttle response, it will stop and go but doesnt seem to shift nor want to accelerate. Set timing @8 BTDC,new plugs, checked vacuum line/ vacuum(around 10) and just cant figure out whats wrong. Could it be the governor, modulator, blown rear end, bad tune in carb? Its got a mostly stock 350 with edelbrock 1406 carb and intake, with a th350 and 205 transfer case, will post some pics soon
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks guys

[1970conroy]

another pic

[MikeN]

Choke not adjusted properly and not opening? Throttle linkage not opening all the way? If it's not the carb, it could be an internal engine problem. Probably need to check compression, etc.

[hopped up]

damn im jealous. i wanna find me a k10 esp at a good price!! nice truck. id make sure the carb is all good. and chexk the vaccuum advance is working properly too. make sure the butterflys are ooening all the way. check all the simple things first
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[jjzepplin]

Also check mechanical advance under cap. Could be seized. And you have one of those finicky Edelbrock carbs that doesn't like any other fuel pump but an Edelbrock for some reason.

[shok]

I'd do all of the above, plus get a vac reading while driving it. New plugs etc. Does it sound like its running evenly or does it have an audible miss etc?

I keep hearing bad stuff about the Edel carbs lately. I've had a few Carter AFB carbs that were great and I think the Edel is just a copy. Is there some difference between the two that is introducing the finicky part?

[luvbowties]

If it idles good & has an hei dist, after testing for the obvious, try replacing the PICKUP-COIL--NOT the ignition coil-- in the dist. Just experienced a very similar situation & lucked onto its solution by trial-and-error and ruling out the obvious. I'd never heard of or experienced such before.
HTH,
Sam

[Irishbleueyes]

plug wires mixed up...

[tincan1966]

I just re read your first post- Unless you've got a HUGE camshaft, 10 in of vacuum at idle is not enough. Under acceleration, there would be even less. Should be 15+ inches of vacuum, and more like 18 to 20 even with a mild cam. Do you have power brakes/ If so, try pinching off the vacuum line to the booster and see if the reading increases.
At idle, does the vacuum gauge bounce or fluctuate a lot? That can indicate a possible bad cam or valves not seating properly.
Just a couple thoughts...

[jtrichard]

whats the history on the engine? could be off one tooth on the cam????

[62chevy302]

[quote/]The truck has absolutely no power or throttle response, it will stop and go but doesnt seem to shift nor want to accelerate.[/quote]



are the engine rpms going up when you mash the pedal? is it reving up? will it rev in neutral?

[1970conroy]

Just got back from a little vacation and was very pleased on all the replies, thanks guys! So first i did a compression test and all cylinders were in the 145-160 range so that was good. Installed new plugs, checked to see is vacuum advance was working properly and it was, throttle linkage was correct, and throttle was opening all the way, checked plug wires and order was correct. Played with idle screw and tuned the carb a little more, checked vacuum( 15 psi and steady)should it be better? and then reset timing to 12 btdc and started it up and it drove great, had good power and shifted smooth. Just finished doing the front brakes, new calipers, pads and getting rotors turned tomorrow, can't wait to have a driving truck again. Thanks for all the info again

[Irishbleueyes]

Originally Posted by 1970conroy

Just got back from a little vacation and was very pleased on all the replies, thanks guys! So first i did a compression test and all cylinders were in the 145-160 range so that was good. Installed new plugs, checked to see is vacuum advance was working properly and it was, throttle linkage was correct, and throttle was opening all the way, checked plug wires and order was correct. Played with idle screw and tuned the carb a little more, checked vacuum( 15 psi and steady)should it be better? and then reset timing to 12 btdc and started it up and it drove great, had good power and shifted smooth. Just finished doing the front brakes, new calipers, pads and getting rotors turned tomorrow, can't wait to have a driving truck again. Thanks for all the info again

15psi and steady is fine, so what do you think was the direct result of the problem?

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by Irishbleueyes

15psi and steady is fine, so what do you think was the direct result of the problem?

...sounds like it had bad plugs, huh...
sam

[1970conroy]

I think it was a combination of tuning the carb and then going back and playing with the timing, plugs added to it as well
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[jjzepplin]

Well it sounds like you got a good deal after all then. Congratulations!