Caprice lacks power

My 91 Chevy caprice has 3 problems. In the morning, when you start it up, it has a lumpy idle, and it starts rather slow(if i don`t give it gas when it tends to start, it won't). After it starts, if I don't let her idle for about 7 minutes, if I start driving it, it will tick. Sounds like lifters, but i need somebody that really knows diagnosis to tell me what it is and how to fix it. Then, say i'm doing about 40mph, and i punch it to the floor, it shifts into 2nd(which is normal, i guess), but it barely goes. It has the 305ci 5.0L V8, TBI. I have changed the air cleaner to an edelbrock element, and intend on getting a new lumpy camshaft, new lifters, pushrods and pergaps gear drive instead of the timing chain. Tell me what you think i should do, and tell me what you think about the mods. I heard that gear drive on roller cams can be an issue. Can it? Thanks.

gear drive is an issue on all cams, the harmonics it puts out will just wear your engine out faster, go with a true roller or double true roller.... for cam dont go lumpy that engine is built for a lumpy cam, if you wanna upgrade the cam just go a little bigger than stock nothing crazy.... and it sounds like it could be lifters...

It only ticks until it gets warmed up. Afterwards it goes away, however, if i stop the engine after its warm, it is going to start a lot better, but, if I don't let i sit, it will tick again. It doesn't matter how long you let it sit, a year or a minute, it will still happen. It's wierd what these guys say on ebay, because i asked if the gear drive or the timing chain will work with my roller cam, and they said "NO". Funny thing, sure, gear drive is different, but a timing chain is a timing chain. I already have one in there, why wouldn't the one they sell work on my cam/crank pulley?

The first thing that comes to my mind, is the engine has seen better days and in need for a rebuild.Have someone do a compression test on the engine and then you will get a better idea on what needs to be done.New cam and lifters will be for nothing if the engine is worn out.If the engine is in good condition (compression tested) then I would do a new oil pump,lifters,cam,valve springs ,Ignition system.

BTD is right......get the engine up to snuff first. Spend some coin and find out what is wrong...this engine should start easily and run fine when cold. Adding a cam or other performance parts to a motor with a problem is money wasted.....

Your problem may be a simple one or a major one but you gotta find out.

Thing is, i work in an auto shop as a level 1 apprentice(i`m only 20), and i could test the compression myself. The engine has high mileage (324000km), but i am the third owner of the car(got it last september), and i just love it. Its big, its got the v8, RWD, and other things. Its a great car. I changed the spark plugs 2 months ago, just because i don't know when they were changed last(they were wet when i took them out by the way). I didn't change the wires because i had no $$. My idea was, either fix this engine up, or get a 350 tpi, like the third gen camaros have, and the ECU, and take it from there. But its much cheaper and faster if I cand keep this engine running for as long as possible. The tranny seems to be ok, but the rear end has to go. It's got the 7.50" 2.something granny gears, that just won't cut it for me. Any hints, would be appreciated. Oh yes, and I forgot to mention that i have a little leak in the fuel line (i hope i'll fix that today), and maybe that is what is causing most of my power loss, lack of fuel pressure. Thanks

duh, TBI reqires 13psi or so......get a pressure gauge. DO NOT run a car with a fuel line leak.....otherwise you will get to meet a nice bunch of firemen driving a big red truck

yup, do a compression test, and a cylinder leakage test, fix that fuel line, and if you dont plan on fixing it for a few days, put a fire extinguisher in your car

This fuel leak has been there for about 2 months. I just didn't have the time or the mood to fix it. I wanted to do it today, but the only hoist available at work was beside a dude that was welding some stuff on his car. I'd rather not mix gas fumes with sparks, or I might get a BANG. I'll try to do it tomorrow.I did a cylinder compression test, and apparently it was fine. My boss helped me. Damn it, every time I want to do something to my car, there is never enough time. She needs LOVE.

Ok, theres a few things here that dont make too much sense. 1) this thing ticks untill it gets warmed up? I'd suggest checking your oil pump. Sounds like low pressure is making it inable to reach the lifters. 2) Fuel leak. I have never had to put a vehicle on a set of Ramps lets alone a Lift. Jack+ jackstands will give you the lift you need to get at them. As for your stumbling under power issue, you may have done the damage when you bolted on the Edelbrock style air cleaner. TBIs need cold air, and if you have the central round air filter element, its sucking in hot air. Not good. Best of luck!

Grandma had the same problem with her Caprice.............Just kiding, If that was the ride I was fixing up I would go to the State auction and buy a wrecked Highway patrol caprice with a 350, most of those have some pretty good add ons to the motor and run real good, some even have the performace chips in them. Would be as cheap or cheaper than upgrading the 305. Seen them sell for 800 to 1200 or so.

Got a 93 Caprice myself here with a rebuilt 305.
When I changed the motor I had a cam shipped but upon disassembly I found it already had a roller cam and my new cam had 2 go back. Wasn't about to break the bank for a different roller cam in this car.
The most serious problem I find is the rear and ratio. Dunno exactly what it is, but for "only" 3600 pounds it has sone pretty
lagging launch from the stoplight. (Camaros are about 3400# with Vettes ~3200#- so it's not a weight issue)
Would kill for a Camaro punkin in the back instead of whatever I got, but really don't care much anymore. Got too much into it already and had it too long.

Maybe we can combine two subjects:

Driving a Caprice with a fuel leak

and

How flames on cars were invented

along with the ( why we support the local fire department) story about the 1 that burnt down!!:LOL: or did u hear the one about the guy who didnt feel like fixin a gas leak?????....

new intake gasket and mine still smells abit gassy.
can never see any wetness. one guy says it's just coz of the throttle body, but never had a smell in my 84 crossfire corvette.

No, tyhe fuel leak is coming from above the tank, so you can feel my excitement of dropping the tank with 70L left in it still. It is the gas line, and all I got to do is put her up on a hoist, snip the line from where its leaking, and extend the hos coming from the fuel filter. Untill i'm going to need a new sending unit/fuel pump, i'm not going to touch that again.

This is Great, i don't even have to paint custom flames. I'll just let it catch fire. Cheap man's dream.

hmm, yeah with the mileage on that baby, i'd probably get a rering kit for the motor since your compression is still good you wont have to go for a full rebuild just tear down, cleanup, maybe a lil honing and polishing, ring it up, put some new bearings and gaskets and she'd be good to go.... would probably cost you about $200-$250 and she'd be running nice and strong, probably pick up a lil gas mileage.... and then you can do whatever other engine changes you want to make while its out and in pieces...

hehhhey, look at that, i made it home without burning alive. :D She likes me too much, she wouldn't make me burn. I got good prices from out parts supplier today: fenders $100 a pair, bumper $40 and hood $60. That's great. I'm going to order some of those for the upcoming summer. The rust must go!!! Few dents here and there will be fixed by my trustworthy dent puller and the almighty BONDO. Fun. I didn't fix that fuel leak just yet, but it's going to get done tomorrow, because we're done at 3, and there has got to be a hoist available.

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Originally posted by vdorobantu
hehhhey, look at that, i made it home without burning alive. :D She likes me too much, she wouldn't make me burn. I got good prices from out parts supplier today: fenders $100 a pair, bumper $40 and hood $60. That's great. I'm going to order some of those for the upcoming summer. The rust must go!!! Few dents here and there will be fixed by my trustworthy dent puller and the almighty BONDO. Fun. I didn't fix that fuel leak just yet, but it's going to get done tomorrow, because we're done at 3, and there has got to be a hoist available.

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Done at 3.I wish I had hours like that.Are you sure you don't work for a bank?:)

On Saturdays we only work from 9 to 3, and then get to work on our own cars. Kind boss we have.

Your fuel leak is above the tank with a few gallons left in it? Thats why they make Siphons;). Trust me, if your fuel tank is anything like the one in my mothers Caddilac, your in for a fun time. Be sure to disconnect the sending unit before your drop of youll be sorry. Oh, and Tool, if you are getting a gasoline smell from your engine, check the lines heading into your TBI, and the seals where it mounts to the manifod. The seals are notorious for going on the GM TBIs.

I finally fixed the leak. All 3 lines were rotted, and i snipped them from where they were leaking, got a longer hose, and clamped them down.I am going to keep it low on flooring it, because i don't want any more issues untill i'll be in the budget for a new sender. I get other noises(probably a bad idler), but at lest i'm not wasting any more fuel ;) . I got to watch out for cops, because i also installed a loud dynomax muffler, and didn't have time to do the tailpipe(the old one was rotten.