Cam, tune or converter

[Jayro]

Hey guys,

Looking to pick some brains. It’s been a little challenging but new engine is in and very close to being happy with it.

So she is certainly no animal but about 350hp at the engine. Only issue now is when accelerating from a stop position it’s got serious vibration through the steering wheel and the dash chatters etc. just until I get going.

Is the cam too large, is it just how life is with a car running a higher rpm (3000rpm) stall converter or a tune issue?

Cheers
Jase

 

[Don C]

The cam and torque converter shouldn't be causing the vibrations. Start with the easy stuff, use a spark plug tester, make sure they are all firing. Run a compression test on all cylinders, make sure all the valves are all closing. Check timing. Connect a vacuum gauge, see what vacuum you are pulling. Check for vacuum leaks.

What RPM is your torque converter actually stalling at?

 

[droptop73]

Confirm the firing order and check for cross fire between the wires. Open the hood in the dark, if it looks like the 4th of July get some new wires.

 

[71ProjectJunk]

Could your headers/exhaust be hitting something when you start accelerating that is causing the vibrations? An engine that is out of tune/missing should not be felt through the steering wheel and on the dash as vibrations. It seems something on the engine is hitting the chassis or something else and is transferring all that vibration. Only other thing that I can think of is that if it is a manual transmission you could be getting some clutch chatter on initial acceleration, and that vibration will be felt all over the car.

 

[Jayro]

Thanks all. Its going in to a shop that specialises in the old school muscle cars (few and far between where I am based). But a friend pulled a favour and they agreed to fit me in and go right over it all. Really is unpleasant to drive how it is. Not smooth at all. Will update when I get some answers