Classic/Antique Car Repair/poor performance

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Expert: - 5/8/2009


Question
i have a 1959 chevy truck with a 235 6, it has been a great truck, recently, it has no power under load, it will barely go 20 mph up hill, i checked the plugs and the spark at each plug, it idles perfectly? any help is appreciated

Answer
It could be any one of the following list of things:
Fuel filter
Bad Fuel pump
Plugged exhaust
Bad ignition coil
Low engine compression
Plugged air filter
I would start with a fuel filter and then is that does not do the trick test the other components.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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