Engine Breaks Up on Converter Flash

chevy 68 · 05-28-2010, 04:40 PM

I have a problem with my 1968 Chevy Camaro, the engine (502 Chevy BB) breaks up on converter flash. The third gear converter used to flash at 4200 RPM, now it flashes at 3200-3600 RPM and the engine skips. Also, the cars ET has dropped 3/10ths of a second. Any help with this problem will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

Dick Butler · 05-29-2010, 10:49 AM

If you are meaning that it pops on mashing the accelerator from idle to flash, check ignition pickup. One of my moroso type developed this problem. Check Gap also and Coil would be next or box....
Now there is also a possible Convertor problem which should be considered with the severe drop in flash...

Mark Yacavone · 05-29-2010, 12:06 PM

Breaks down under load?
How old are the spark plug wires?

chevy 68 · 05-29-2010, 04:06 PM

Mark, I ohm tested the wires, and they checked out okay. But they are two seasons old. Could the ohms be okay but the wires still be bad? Thanks for your reply!!

chevy 68 · 05-29-2010, 04:11 PM

Dick, Its a factory HEI and it has worked well for 3 years. Thanks for your reply!

05-29-2010, 04:58 PM

You haven't changed the timing recently???
I had nearly this same issue several years ago. Start up the engine in the dark and look for wire arcing. If you see nothing, check all of your valve springs and do a compression check. A broken valve spring does funny things.
Best regards,
Chris Hardy

05-28-2010, 04:40 PM	#1
chevy 68 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Engine Breaks Up on Converter Flash I have a problem with my 1968 Chevy Camaro, the engine (502 Chevy BB) breaks up on converter flash. The third gear converter used to flash at 4200 RPM, now it flashes at 3200-3600 RPM and the engine skips. Also, the cars ET has dropped 3/10ths of a second. Any help with this problem will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

05-29-2010, 10:49 AM	#2
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Engine Breaks Up on Converter Flash If you are meaning that it pops on mashing the accelerator from idle to flash, check ignition pickup. One of my moroso type developed this problem. Check Gap also and Coil would be next or box.... Now there is also a possible Convertor problem which should be considered with the severe drop in flash...

05-29-2010, 12:06 PM	#3
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,815 Likes: 2,904 Liked 5,121 Times in 1,952 Posts	Re: Engine Breaks Up on Converter Flash Breaks down under load? How old are the spark plug wires? __________________ "We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for." Will Rogers

05-29-2010, 04:06 PM	#4
chevy 68 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Engine Breaks Up on Converter Flash Mark, I ohm tested the wires, and they checked out okay. But they are two seasons old. Could the ohms be okay but the wires still be bad? Thanks for your reply!!

05-29-2010, 04:11 PM	#5
chevy 68 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Engine Breaks Up on Converter Flash Dick, Its a factory HEI and it has worked well for 3 years. Thanks for your reply!

05-29-2010, 04:58 PM	#6
Chris Hardy Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Engine Breaks Up on Converter Flash You haven't changed the timing recently??? I had nearly this same issue several years ago. Start up the engine in the dark and look for wire arcing. If you see nothing, check all of your valve springs and do a compression check. A broken valve spring does funny things. Best regards, Chris Hardy