Expert: Dan Liddy - 9/23/2008

Question
Hi, I race a 1976 pontiac ventura. It has a 2 speed powerglide and 3.43 gears, I run a 1/4 mile asphalt track. My engine is a 350ci with a lumpy cam, flat top pistons, double bump heads, 2 barrel rochester. When ever i have to put it into gear it stalls cold or warm. I have to keep the revs quite high to keep it running and in doing so it really clunks hard when going into gear. I have no vacuum leaks and I'm not sure what my stall speed is. Once it is going everything is fine, it is just really tough when slamming it into 1st. Any ideas on what the problem could be would be appreciated.

Answer
Hi John:  

I suspect your 'lumpy' cam is the culpret . The reason hi perf. cams give you the lumjpy idle is cuz the engine isn't working well at that speed- - it'll sing at high revs but has little spunk around the idle settings.  That and a lightened flywheel or flex plate and there's simply no inertia to keep it all going .   It may be that changing your tourque converter will bring results but I have never worked with this arrangement.

Try calling the tech guys at Summit Racing
1-330 630 3030.  They really know their stuff and I'm certain can help you .

Good Luck

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Fl.