Best I can describe. 87 Camaro 350 TPI bored .030 flat top pistons. I mash the gas and I hear a bit of a clatter. I'm told by a shade tree mechnic it means I'm running lean.... thoughts?

Plugs, distrib, cap, lines all replaced within the last 10 years. Lots of new parts put in 125k miles ago and car has 137k now. The complete history is documented on my site.

Looking for a direction to go in before I start spending money on things I may not need to.

Thanks!!

 

is there anything else done besides the overbore and higher compression pistons? any cam or head work?

 

Supposedly this:

From Randy's Auto Repair on 9/9/2002 Can't make out some words. Best I can tell.

All work done at 125,584 miles

Description on repair order:
Motor is knocking. R&R Motor to rebuild Vat and clean all motor parts. Install cam bearings, press pistions on conn rods, grind valves and valv seats.

Replace all freeze plugs. Bore block .030 and hone ports heads intake and exhaust. Check eletrical on fan motors.

turn crankshaft (sublet)

Water Pump
Thermastat
8 Spark plugs
Complete gasket set
8 Pistons flat tops
8 Rings
16 Roller lifters
1 Competition roller cam
1 HV oil pump
1 Timing chain and gears
1 Cam bearing set
1 Conn rod? (can't read writing)
1 Main bearing set
1 Rod base set? (can't read writing)
Engine paint
1 Fan motor

 

Might just be pinging from pre detonation, flat top pistons means it probably has higher compression and you need to run premium fuel.

 

...and possibly your ignition may be too far advanced. But....your engine originally came equipped with a knock sensor that would pick up octane knock before your ear even hears it, and the computer would retard the timing as it saw necessary. Is your knock system still hooked up and working? If not, you have two options...get it working correctly, or adjust your timing accordingly.

 

Sounds good will start off with better fuel. Have about half a tank of regular now so shouldn't take long to burn that with that engine

As for the knock sensor will investigate further. Got a chilton manual so will find out where it is, or supposed to be, and I guess maybe replace. Doesn't seem to be an expensive part but if higher octane fuel fixes it I should be good to go I guess huh?

Thanks for the direction guys. As always you all are helpful and full of knowledge. Makes things so easy for us rookies.

 

thats for the added info. i was basicly going to say the exact same things as them. the fuel system shouldnt be causing any lean issues with that amount of work. i used to get a bit of a ping in my 305 until i noticed the knock sensor was disconnected. i reconnected it and it went away. it was on the passenger side, nearly directly in the middle. should only have one wire going to it