I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year [Forums - C4 Technical]

C4 Technical > I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year
	Register To Post

JeffK	I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#1
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	I went out tonight with intentions of triple checking plug wires to make sure I didn't have one crossed. The car has been missing pretty good and acting pretty dogish. I traced #2 up to the cap, pushed on the boot to make sure it was down tight...the cap moved. I thought I was imagining it. I grabbed the cap and I could wiggle the whole distributor back and forth. I had bought one of the allen head bolt kits off ebay. It was a pain to tighten the dist. hold down bolt but I thought I got it tight after the last timing check....guess not. I pulled the dist. to make sure it hadn't messed up the drive gear. Since I had it out I took the ICM to Autozone to get it tested. He tested it atleast 10 times to get it hot and make sure it wouldn't fail, it tested good. Came back, put it all together with the original bolt (I bought the dist. wrench while at AZ) and set the timing. I made sure that @#$&*(& bolt was tight this time. WHAT A DIFFERENCE in the car. No more sluggishness, miss is gone. I can't wait to finish the tune, this thing is going to be fun. Where's my trophy? Jeff
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 1:37

	Transfer

bogus	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#2
Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah San Pedro, CA 20859 Posts Member since: 2005/9/7 0:00	No trophy, but here is your sign.
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 1:41
	_________________ The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place. - George Bernard Shaw Education is the best tool to overcome irrational fear. - me
	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#3
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	Thanks Andy.
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 1:48

	Transfer

Ultraman	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#4
2015 Memorial Day Car Show Winner! Huskerland 14745 Posts Member since: 2009/9/12 19:16	Listen Jeff we all got a closet full of those trophys. I am just glad you got the car figured out. Get er done and drive that pup.
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 1:50
	_________________ 2010 Grand Sport Coupe Gone but not forgotten... Vote DeSantis in 2024.... Make the IRS go away...
	Transfer

pianoguy	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#5
Guru Emeritus Apple Valley, MN 14762 Posts Member since: 2007/12/29 0:00	Quote: Ultraman wrote: Listen Jeff we all got a closet full of those trophys. I am just glad you got the car figured out. Get er done and drive that pup. Amen to that!!
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 1:58
	_________________ 1996 LT4 �Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.�- Jack Handey
	Transfer

1Fast04Vert	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#6
Elite Guru The hills of N. Georgia 2424 Posts Member since: 2007/12/30 0:00	If you want a trophy you can have one of mine, I have a closet full of them.
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 2:00
	_________________ 2004 Vert. 475hp. Built by Vengeance Racing
	Transfer

BillH	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#7
The Stig Moderator Reno 22702 Posts Member since: 2007/12/25 0:00	Everybody makes some mistakes. NBG -no big deal.
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 2:10
	_________________ Every man dies but not every man lives.
	Transfer

biggrizzly	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#8
2011 Memorial Day Car Show Winner! Chesapeake Beach, Maryland 4543 Posts Member since: 2006/4/23 0:00	OMG - If I had a buck for every dumb ass thing I've done while working on this car over the years!!! I'd be rich! Glad to hear you worked out some of the issues. See... we are getting somewhere. Now we need to get Matt straightened out.
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 2:13
	_________________ Don Haller Corvette Club of America 94Coupe, 383Stroka, PeteK Trans, 3000stall, 3.54rear, Konis and bigger sways.
	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#9
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	Another amazing result is that the exhaust that I was complaining about actually sounds so much better now that the timing isn't jumping all over the place. Thanks guys. I can't tell you how relieved I am that I got one of the issues solved. If I melted all my trophies I could make a ZR1!!
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 2:24

	Transfer

TommyT-Bone	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#10
Chair-man of the bored Homestead USA 33760 Posts Member since: 2007/12/10 0:00	Glad you got it. I looked up dumb ass in the dictionary and this is what I found. Attach file: Tommy T booking.jpg (5.71 KB)
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 2:36

	Transfer

RickAnthony	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#11
ASE Master Certified Downers Grove, IL 703 Posts Member since: 2006/8/2 0:00	It happens.. be glad it wasn't a brake or suspension fastener.. -=Rick
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 4:08
	_________________ My Automotive Blog autoserviceupdated.blogspot.com CORVETTE SERVICE & REPAIR RickAnthonyMotorsports.NET
	Transfer

bogus	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#12
Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah San Pedro, CA 20859 Posts Member since: 2005/9/7 0:00	Quote: JeffK wrote: Thanks Andy. If it made you laugh...
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 6:07
	_________________ The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place. - George Bernard Shaw Education is the best tool to overcome irrational fear. - me
	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#13
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	It did. I've come to the conclusion that you can't own a C4 and not have a sense of humor.
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 11:26

	Transfer

Matatk	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#14
Webmaster SW Chicago Burbs 22804 Posts Member since: 2008/1/7 0:00	Quote: JeffK wrote: It did. I've come to the conclusion that you can't own a C4 and not have a sense of humor. Must be why everyone laughs when they see my car coming... Anyway, good catch, Jeff. I always think it's best to go back to basics when troubleshooting a problem. Look how much of a difference a heated O2 made for me. Not some super fancy expensive fix, either. I think you would benefit from that, too. Matthew
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 11:37
	_________________ 2002 EBM convertible, Magnusson supercharger, cam, headers, etc. 1989 Corvette...RIP
	Transfer

j3studio	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#15
Elite Guru Western Philadelphia Burbs 4247 Posts Member since: 2007/9/2 0:00	Quote: JeffK wrote: I've come to the conclusion that you can't own a C4 and not have a sense of humor. Those are true words.
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 11:39
	_________________ Grace, 2003 50th Anniversary Convertible
	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#16
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	Quote: Matatk wrote: Anyway, good catch, Jeff. I always think it's best to go back to basics when troubleshooting a problem. Look how much of a difference a heated O2 made for me. Not some super fancy expensive fix, either. I think you would benefit from that, too. Matthew That is next on the list. Going to see if the local Pep Boys has the pigtail.
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 12:35

	Transfer

SpectatorRacing	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#17
Elite Guru 1721 Posts Member since: 2007/12/29 0:00	I always start with "is there gas in it?" Once in awhile that's the problem
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 14:36
	_________________ aka Scaryfast
	Transfer

BrianCunningham	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#18
Senior Guru Boston, MA for the most part :) 7763 Posts Member since: 2007/12/30 0:00	Couldn't get a car to start once after a tuneup Turned out I forgot the rotor
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 16:55
	_________________ Polo Green 95 LT1 6-spd http://mysite.verizon.net/vzevcp74/ 383 LT1/Vortech Supercharger/AFR heads/Rod end suspension/Penske-Hardbar dual rate coilovers/Wilwood 6pot brakes NCCC Governor: http://BayStateCorvetteClub.com
	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#19
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	Quote: BrianCunningham wrote: Couldn't get a car to start once after a tuneup Turned out I forgot the rotor I thought I was the only who's ever done that.
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 17:04

	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#20
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	Any chance I might have done some damage riding around with the variable timing mod?
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 20:37

	Transfer

BillH	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#21
The Stig Moderator Reno 22702 Posts Member since: 2007/12/25 0:00	Quote: JeffK wrote: Any chance I might have done some damage riding around with the variable timing mod? Hear any pinging? If not, you're good. If you did and it wasn't heavy, you're good.
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 21:52
	_________________ Every man dies but not every man lives.
	Transfer

TommyT-Bone	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#22
Chair-man of the bored Homestead USA 33760 Posts Member since: 2007/12/10 0:00	Quote: BillH wrote Couldn't get a car to start once after a tuneup Turned out I forgot where I put the hand crank. .... Attach file: Younger BillH.jpg (66.43 KB)
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 21:59

	Transfer

BillH	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#23
The Stig Moderator Reno 22702 Posts Member since: 2007/12/25 0:00	Quote: TommyT-Bone wrote: Quote: BillH wrote Couldn't get a car to start once after a tuneup Turned out I forgot where I put the hand crank. .... Geeze, and i was just thinkin' "I miss Tommy." :tongue: :binky:
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 22:02
	_________________ Every man dies but not every man lives.
	Transfer

BillH	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#24
The Stig Moderator Reno 22702 Posts Member since: 2007/12/25 0:00	Tommy decided to exercise his horse and forgot???? Attach file: image007.gif (0.00 KB)
	Posted on: 2011/8/4 22:07
	_________________ Every man dies but not every man lives.
	Transfer

92LRC	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#25
Guru Newb Weston, FL 88 Posts Member since: 2008/1/2 0:00	I replaced the ignition coil a while back. Put it all back together and tried to start but couldn't get it to go. After looking at everything I could think of I finally found the ICM sitting on top of my work cart instead of installed where it belongs on the coil. Duh.
	Posted on: 2011/8/5 15:17

	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#26
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	Quote: BillH wrote: Quote: JeffK wrote: Any chance I might have done some damage riding around with the variable timing mod? Hear any pinging? If not, you're good. If you did and it wasn't heavy, you're good. I did hear a little pinging. I'm gonna caulk it up to needing to finish the tune.
	Posted on: 2011/8/5 16:51

	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#27
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	Quote: BillH wrote: Quote: JeffK wrote: Any chance I might have done some damage riding around with the variable timing mod? Hear any pinging? If not, you're good. If you did and it wasn't heavy, you're good. Ok Bill, what did I mess up? I get pinging at 3K + and tuner said we are at stock timing curves. If he pulls anymore we will be under stock.
	Posted on: 2011/8/22 19:57

	Transfer

xccter	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#28
Senior Guru Downtown Annapolis, MD 461 Posts Member since: 2008/2/25 0:00	That hardly gets "THE" dumbass trophy. I doubt that would get an honorable mention during an average year. Don't waste any time beating yourself up over it. It's a BIG club. I took some meat off my parking brake shoes on the '71 last Saturday just driving to/from a Corvette show right here in Annapolis. I installed a new leaf and coil springs recently, and a new differential cover after I snapped the flange off the old one. The body of the car sits up a good inch from it's previous height, and I never though about that effectively lengthening the distance from the PB handle to the rear brakes. I smelled brakes when I got home from the show and traced the smell to the rear axle. It was an easy fix to adjust (lengthen) the short cable from the PB handle. Lucky I only had to travel 1.1 miles to the show and back. Still made me feel like a dumbass though. Good luck with the pinging @ 3000 thing. Mark
	Posted on: 2011/8/22 22:53
	_________________ ´71 350/270 L48 Coupe Numbers Matching Ontario Orange 4 spd, Mid-year side pipes, deluxe black leather, ac, ps, pb, pw, tilt/tele steering wheel. 93k miles. Original rotors still riveted to the hubs! NCRS #48337
	Transfer

Matatk	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#29
Webmaster SW Chicago Burbs 22804 Posts Member since: 2008/1/7 0:00	Quote: JeffK wrote: Quote: BillH wrote: Quote: JeffK wrote: Any chance I might have done some damage riding around with the variable timing mod? Hear any pinging? If not, you're good. If you did and it wasn't heavy, you're good. Ok Bill, what did I mess up? I get pinging at 3K + and tuner said we are at stock timing curves. If he pulls anymore we will be under stock. I doubt you messed up anything. The computer will pull timing if it's too advanced. Are you running premium fuel now after the rebuild? Matthew
	Posted on: 2011/8/22 23:49
	_________________ 2002 EBM convertible, Magnusson supercharger, cam, headers, etc. 1989 Corvette...RIP
	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#30
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	Yeah, I know some would says it's a waste but I have always ran premium in the Vette. With the dist so loose I doubt the pcm could keep up with it's movements. Could it have fried a spark plig or something? It sucks cuz the damn thing runs pretty good.
	Posted on: 2011/8/22 23:56

	Transfer

BillH	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#31
The Stig Moderator Reno 22702 Posts Member since: 2007/12/25 0:00	Quote: Ok Bill, what did I mess up? I get pinging at 3K + and tuner said we are at stock timing curves. If he pulls anymore we will be under stock. I doubt you messed up anything. The computer will pull timing if it's too advanced. Are you running premium fuel now after the rebuild? Matthew[/quote] Agreed, the ECM should pull retard the timing. Pinging at 3k + doesn't sound right. Usually pinging is going to occure at lower revs under a load. Take the car out on a small incline in like 5th @ 1,200 and go to wide open throttle, you'll hear it if it's there. My comment on pings when the dusty was loose was a different thing.
	Posted on: 2011/8/23 0:19
	_________________ Every man dies but not every man lives.
	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#32
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	If I put it manually in 2nd and gun it from a stop it won't ping until it gets up to 3k. I am going to double check all the plugs and the base timing on the next couple of days.
	Posted on: 2011/8/23 0:58

	Transfer

jonszr1	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#33
Senior Guru Lone Pine, CA 453 Posts Member since: 2010/10/25 22:42	if i can ask what is the compression of your new motor? do you have aftermarket heads ? i built a 408 for my mustang with afr heads and when we dynod it it made the best power with 28 degrees total .. just sharing a couple of things to consider .i would replace the plugs, they are cheep and you might have mucked one up with the creative curve
	Posted on: 2011/8/23 8:33
	_________________ i have a blast playing with my 4 babies 2 zr1s and 2 mustangs 68 coupe with a jon bennit 408 art car fully rollered c4 with a gearvendors over drive .88 mustang built by my kids with a ported lt5 and a bill boudreau blue printed zf 6 spd. with these 4 ...
	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#34
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	Compression ratio is just a tad higher than stock. Pistons are stock compression ratio, the only thing I had him use that would increase it was 1094 head gaskets which are .039 compressed thickness.
	Posted on: 2011/8/23 11:02

	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#35
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	The 6 plugs I could get out look pretty rough a couple of them are redish-brown and the center electrodes are curved. Damn, they were AC Delco Iridiums that I had just bought too. Another $40 thrown in the money pit.
	Posted on: 2011/8/24 2:08

	Transfer

Matatk	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#36
Webmaster SW Chicago Burbs 22804 Posts Member since: 2008/1/7 0:00	I'd throw some basic NGKs in there and see how she runs. You might need to go one heat range cooler, I don't remember the exact cam and mods the builder did on the motor. Matthew
	Posted on: 2011/8/24 3:13
	_________________ 2002 EBM convertible, Magnusson supercharger, cam, headers, etc. 1989 Corvette...RIP
	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#37
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	LT4 hotcam, 1.6 roller rockers, thats about it. Oh and the egr is gone so maybe cooler plugs are in order?
	Posted on: 2011/8/24 4:04

	Transfer

Matatk	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#38
Webmaster SW Chicago Burbs 22804 Posts Member since: 2008/1/7 0:00	Quote: JeffK wrote: LT4 hotcam, 1.6 roller rockers, thats about it. Oh and the egr is gone so maybe cooler plugs are in order? It would be close. You might be fine with stock range, or one colder. In general, you go one heat range colder for every 75-100 hp added over stock. I think you're on the border, and you'd have to try both to see what runs better. http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_sup ... /faqmodified.asp?mode=nml Quote: FAQs - Spark Plugs Q: Are special plugs always necessary on a modified engine? A: It depends on the modifications. The term "modified" refers to those engines that have received bolt-on improvements that may or may not raise the engine's total compression ratio. These can include turbocharging, supercharging, nitrous oxide injection, the use of smaller-chambered cylinder heads, modified piston configurations, free-flowing cylinder heads, change of induction components and/or the use of different fuel types and octane. These kinds of modifications generally require a change from stock spark plugs. Modifications that will typically not require specialized plugs (in most cases the factory installed plug will be more than adequate) include adding a free-flowing air filter, headers, mufflers and rear-end gears. Basically, any modification that does not alter the overall compression ratio will not usually necessitate changing plug types or heat ranges. Such minor modifications will not significantly increase the amount of heat in the combustion chamber, hence, a plug change is probably not warranted. However, when compression is raised, along with the added power comes added heat. Since spark plugs must remove heat and a modified engine makes more heat, the spark plug must remove more heat. A colder heat range spark plug must be selected and plug gaps should be adjusted smaller to ensure proper ignitability in this denser air/fuel mixture. Typically, for every 75-100 hp you add, you should go one step colder on the spark plug's heat range. A hotter heat range is not usually recommended except when severe oil or fuel fouling is occurring. Submit any questions you may have regarding special modifications or fuel usage here.
	Posted on: 2011/8/24 11:34
	_________________ 2002 EBM convertible, Magnusson supercharger, cam, headers, etc. 1989 Corvette...RIP
	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#39
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	Interesting, Thanks for posting that Matthew. I guess I will pick up a set of each and see how it goes.
	Posted on: 2011/8/24 12:33

	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#40
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	Just making sure I am correct. Regular plug is NGKFR4 - 5155 One step colder NGKFR5 -7373
	Posted on: 2011/8/24 18:13

	Transfer

rklessdriver	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#41
Senior Guru Woodbridge, VA 1318 Posts Member since: 2008/1/4 0:00	Quote: JeffK wrote: Just making sure I am correct. Regular plug is NGKFR4 - 5155 One step colder NGKFR5 -7373 You got 113 heads right?? 14mm, 3/4 reach, taper seat plug.... Stock plug should be NGK TR55... one step colder would be NGK TR6. BTW if you still want to upgrade to the heated 02's let me know. I bought the entire deal (Denso 02's & EFI connection harness/pigtails) for my 92. Then I discovered Ed did an open loop tune.... Will
	Posted on: 2011/8/25 2:27
	_________________ 1984 Corvette. 434 SBC with a Powerglide. Best pass - 8.48@160MPH 1.23 60ft on MT 275/60R15 Radials. 1972 Corvette. LS5 454 BBC with M20 4 speed. Best Pass - Doing good to just pass a gas station.
	Transfer

JeffK	Re: I get the "I'm a dumbass" trophy this year	#42
Elite Guru High Point, NC 1440 Posts Member since: 2010/6/18 12:27	Thanks Will. I got the stuff to do the O2 sensor just lacking time last night. I ended up putting it back together with the single wire for now. Have I mentioned lately that I really hate my hedman headers. It took way too long to put the plugs in.
	Posted on: 2011/8/25 11:30

	Transfer

You can view topic.

You cannot start a new topic.

You cannot reply to posts.

You cannot edit your posts.

You cannot delete your posts.

You cannot add new polls.

You cannot vote in polls.

You cannot attach files to posts.

You cannot post without approval.

CorvetteForum.guru is independently owned and operated. This site is not associated with or financially supported by General Motors.

Copyright 2008-2015 CorvetteForum.guru

CorvetteForum.guru is a Guru Garage Site (Coming Soon!)

If you have any questions about our site, please contact us at Andy@corvetteforum.guru.

Powered by XOOPS 2.56 Copyright 2001-2014 www.xoops.org

Hosted by GoDaddy.com.

Backspacing