Expert: Ben Deutschman - 12/23/2008

Question
my engine on a 1978 Plymouth volare is a slant six double barrel and when i put it in reverse or drive it bowges down and dies on me unless i push on the gas and i can figure out wats wrong but when it is in park it runs fine for a wile then does the same thing and my oil lights comes on when it startes to bowg down and there is a nocking i know it is the lifter but i dont know why it dies down in gear any answers.

Answer
An engine will behave differently under load, versus in Neutral, and your Bogging problem could be caused by a number of things. First is a Carburetor with a bad 'Accelerator Plunger' in it, or a Vacuum leak due to warping or a bad mounting gasket. A worn 'Vacuum Advance' on the Distributor could also cause a bogging problem, and can be checked by shining a 'Timing Light' on the 'Timming Mark' while gradually increasing Engine speed slightly. If the 'Vacuum Advance' and 'Advance Plate' in the Distributor are working properly, the 'Timing Mark' will gradually move as the Engine speed is increased. If the 'Timing Mark' moves haltingly, or not at all, then  a 'Vacuum Pump' should be connected to the 'Vacuum Advance' via a rubber tube, and vacuum drawn on the 'Vacuum Advance.' If the Vacuum doesn't hold steady, but instead drops, then the 'Vacuum Advance' is bad, and should be replaced. If the Vacuum holds steady, then the Distributor should be replaced, since you cannot buy the 'Advance Plate' separately.

Also make sure the static (idle) Timing is set to specification, using a 'Timing Light' aimed at the Stationary Timing Mark', and checking where the rotating Mark shows up on the 'Stationary Mark', referencing the 'Timing Information' usually found on the Tag located near the Radiator Support, or sometimes found on the inner Fender.

In so far as knocking goes, you car has mechanical Lifters, they don't stick, if they do, they will wipe out the Cam, and then, no more Engine. If you hear tapping, then the Tappets are out of adjustment, and need to be reset with a flat bladed 'Thickness Gauge.' The specs are .010 Intake, .020 Exhaust, and you can reference the Tappets to the Intake or Exhaust runner they are across from. The settings are on a fully warmed up Engine, with the Tappet under NO tension from the Pushrod.