Power Loss 79 Seville

[Sergey21]

Hey, I've bought a 79 Seville, well this thing has a nice 350 in it, all original, and everything works. Thing is, I'm getting very little power to the wheels. It has sat for like 4 - 5 years. Does it need to be broken in? Because when I step on it, the engine revs but, speed does not really increase. Got new sparkplugs for it, new air filter, and cleaned out the throttle with the Air/Intake cleaner (does wonders) What could this be? I cant have too much problems with this caddy, its too nice...or else ima have to Thanks in advance fellas.

[65Byrd]

Hi, Check your transmission, it may be slipping. Allowing a vehicle sitting this long can be very damaging to the seals and o-rings in a 400 trans.

[Sergey21]

Originally Posted by 65Byrd

Hi, Check your transmission, it may be slipping. Allowing a vehicle sitting this long can be very damaging to the seals and o-rings in a 400 trans.

So, should I get a new tranny, or rebuild this one? And how sure are you that its the trans?

[65Byrd]

I can't be 100% positive without checking it out in person. You should take it to trustworthy trans shop and have it checked,ask friends and family about a shop, I'm sure someone you know has had some experience with getting a trans repaired. It could help alot if you have a friend that's a mechanic, they could check it out for you and possibly save you some money. I hope you get this problem resolved.

[Sergey21]

Originally Posted by 65Byrd

I can't be 100% positive without checking it out in person. You should take it to trustworthy trans shop and have it checked,ask friends and family about a shop, I'm sure someone you know has had some experience with getting a trans repaired. It could help alot if you have a friend that's a mechanic, they could check it out for you and possibly save you some money. I hope you get this problem resolved.

One of my good buddy mechanics, has just went to UK with his family, and wont be back for a while. So, ill take it down to a transmission shop and see.

[Sergey21]

Oxygen sensors, cats, ALL FLUID FLUSH and CHANGE, sparkwires, coil, distributors, injectors, sparkplugs (already new) air filter (already new)

What can it be?

[Sergey21]

I've added, Engine Restorer to my engine, Slick 50 transmission THICK lube, injector cleaner to the gas tank...and I probably got like 10hp back, still it doesnt feel right, my mom 3.4 Chevy Impala HAULS ASS compared to this caddy. I know its heavy, but with the power it has, it shouldnt be this bad. Sigh, out of ideas.

[racecardude310]

by rev do you mean it jumps into your engine's upper RPM range? if so its a slipping transmission, if it jumps to mid/low rpm range it means your tranny is connected with then engine in which case your engine is garbage, check the timing/timing belt... i drove a ford ranger (my grandpas) it had a bad timing belt but not broken... boy that thing had NO power... after replacing it probably doubled. along with the fuel millage. walk down your street looking for a mechanically savy neighbor and ask him to check your timing for ya (or take it to a shop and ask them to check your timing) then again when you replaced your distributor i imagine that you checked the timing then no?

[Ranger]

ALL FLUID FLUSH

Transmission?

Slick 50 transmission THICK lube

Snake oil

[Sergey21]

Originally Posted by racecardude310

then again when you replaced your distributor i imagine that you checked the timing then no?

No no, I was listing all that for you to see which one it could be. This is how it is. Very hard to start in the morning or after it sits for 3-4 hours. (Thinking its the fuel pressure regulator, cuz engine turns over and tries to start but cant for a while, most likely flooded due to a faulty fuel pressure pump) Once I get it started, I have to let it warm up, or else it will die when put in ANY gear. Engine idles at normal RPM's (judging by sound) around 800 - 1.2rpm. Once put in gear, it greatly decreases. Then I really gotta step on the gas while driving for about 5 - 10 mins because if i lightly press on the gas, it dies. After 5 - 10 mins, its fine, and it gets more powerful. GAH! Why me...this is such a nice car!

[Sergey21]

Transmission?
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also

Snake oil
???????????????????????

[Ranger]

A bad FPR usually causes hard hot starts rather than cold. Get a fuel pressure gauge on it and check the fuel pressure at key on and while cranking.

[racecardude310]

that is definitely not a tranny problem so dont worry about that.

however it does sound like either bad plugs/timing, or bad fuel/air mixture... do what i suggested and find a friend that knows how to check timing and ask him to check. i say this because i know several people on MY street that have helped me with that before (i dont have the equipment). also check your plugs... check check check. if its neither then its most likely fuel/air, in whick case narrow it down by cleaning your carb (or is it injected?) if the previous driver never changed the fuel filter there could be build up in your hoses, check the fpr, the best think you could do is get a schematic of the fuel system and go over it piece by piece to narrow it down.

in my opinion if it gains power after warming up it could be the spark but i am not a mechanic and i am only 19, however my job in the army involves fixing problems with electronics which means using schematics and narrowing things down until you have one for sure answer.

[Sergey21]

I notice when I started it cold, IT REALLY SMELLS LIKE FUEL ALL AROUND THE CAR! That drives me to think, F/A Mixture. So, thats one of the problems...how do I fix this one?

[Ranger]

At idle, pull the vacuum line off of the FPR. If there is any fuel at the nipple, replace it. If that is OK, check the fuel lines for leaks. If none found, check for a leaky injector(s).