For anyone who knows mechanics...

[Drunken_Weasel]

I have a inquiry...

I installed headers, and exhaust on my 76 nova this last week.. it has a GM goodwrench 350 v8 in it.. only about 2k miles on it... Well.. ever since I got everything pretty much ironed out.. My engine seems to get short bursts of energy every few seconds.. At Idle, it will pick up and then kick down back and forth...

While driving, I can actually feel the slight push from this. every few seconds, feels like the motor's giving a little more power, but just for a second.

Anyone know what this could be? only thing I did while installing the exhaust/headers was remove spark plugs, then put it all back...

 

[rsnoble]

Dont have a sticky throttle do you?

 

[Drunken_Weasel]

Dont have a sticky throttle do you?

No sir.

It will do it when I am outside my car, not touching the throttle.. just short bursts of a slighty higher RPM... enough so that I can feel it while driving though...

 

[rsnoble]

You wouldn't exactly have to be pushing the throttle. I doubt this is the problem since anything easy is usually not the case. However, you may try holding the throttle assembly tight against the stop point on your carb while it is running and see if it still surges. Was it running good before? Could be out of time. Ive got a 350 with an eldebrock and had some similar problems that turned out being the thottle spring. Like I said though, you probably aren't that lucky and if I was a better mechanic Id have more ideas on the subject.

 

[Drunken_Weasel]

It ran perfectly fine before... I have a edelbrock performer intake and carb, and the throttle spring is new, and has no problems.. I think it has something to do with my spark.. or something.. maybe an exhaust thing.. I know mechanic basics.. and have worked on my car alot.. but this is really bugging me and I can't figure it out...

 

[rnch]

after installing the headers, did you adjust the air/fuel mixture?

adding headers leans out the engine somewhat; it might be "surging" from running too lean now.

hard to diagnose via the internet!!

 

[fogg88]

Do you have A/C on your car, and are you using it now?

. ..I had similar symptoms on an old car, and it wound up having to do with the A/C compressor clutch or something. This is a longshot, but it might also be due to a slipping accessory belt, if you have one that drives your power-steering, etc.