I just got a shop with a mechanics pit so I decided it was time to get the old 77 camaro running again. It has a '87 305 in it, that what was in it when I bought it. After fixing a fuel pump problem, bought new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, coil, modulator (coil and modulator were actually bad), bolted on a 600cfm edelbrock(#1406)with a 1" spacer it still doesn't run quite right. it starts and idles fine but it doesn't want to turn off I have to flood it. And it bogs down at wide open throttle. Unless I ease into it and then once I reach higher rpms I can put my foot into it until it shifts then it almost dies again. Ive played with the timing and its better then when I first started but still not great. Any suggestions besides swapping motors? Although I am looking at a 4bolt 350 but I would like to get the305 working so I can put it in another poject.

 

if it is deiseling its one of two things.idle to high or timeing to fast.check to make sure your vacuum advance is working.also might want to try it without the spacer plate.

 

how can i check if the vacuum advance is working?

 

With an '87 305, I presume you're using an electric fuel pump? What kind, and are you sure your fuel pressure isn't too high? Do you have your fuel pressure regulated? You could have a flooding issue if your pump is putting out higher pressure than what's needed for a carb.

 

its a mallory series 110 it runs at max 7psi. and theres no regulator. how many psi should it be for a carb?

 

7psi is about right where you want it for a carb.

 

i checked on edelbrocks website and they said that 6psi is the max and 5.5psi is best. the fuel pump is factory set at 7psi in the descrition on summit it says to use a regulator with it. should i purchase one? andis 1 or 1.5psi going to make the motor bog down so much?

 

to check your vacuum advance simple pull your cap and apply vacuum to the vacuum advance either with a vacuum pup or with your mouth if its working your rotor should turn if not you won't feel any resistentce( i forgot how to spell).old truck at work had same problem.replaced V/A and reset timeing thing runs great now.

 

Do you even have the right distributer and module in it? 87 would be computer controled and you want a distributer with mechanical or vacuum advance. Here in California pre 79 is non computer. I dont think the modules will interchange with the wireing connectors but am not positive. You could have also gotten a defective part.