Stalls and dies when put into gear

GARY BUZBY

MEMBER
1966 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO
4.3L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
80,000 MILES

I recently changed the timing chain and gears, also the cam, lifters andpush rods. It cranks and runs at idle but dies when put into gear. Carb was rebuilt and the distributor, it is a h e I ignition. Also can not seem to dial in the timing with the light. When I get it close it dies. Is timing suspose to be 4 btdc. I need help, no more hair left to pull out. THANKS IN ADVANCE.

3 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

What year is the 4.3 motor out of as the 1966 el camino did not come with that motor. There is a difference in camshafts on those and they fire differently. It may be the wrong camshaft.

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Thursday, August 6th, 2015 AT 6:05 AM

GARY BUZBY

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I am not sure of the litre size but I know by the letter on the engine pad that it is a 283 from a 1967 chevell.

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Thursday, August 6th, 2015 AT 11:16 AM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

I screwed up I saw 4.3 not the v8 behind it sorry. This may be a timing issue with the dist in maybe one tooth off. When timing the vacuum advance should be disconnected and blocked. See pic for correct positioning of wires and firing order. Then prior to starting if you have air mix screws take them out and spray choke cleaner into the holes then lightly seat the screws then back off 1 and half turns. Then see if it still stalls. If it does it's a carb issue like low float level or choke not working correctly. Make sure that the choke plate opens a bit when it starts as well and not pulled open all the way as that may be it as well. That wold be a choke pulloff problem like no vacuum or broken diaphragm.

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