Car slowed down 2 tenths..Advice?

SUPER STREET ROB · 11-15-2014, 07:58 PM

I have a 1982 Malibu Wagon with a 350 ZZ4 crate motor and a power glide trans. Converter unknown but stalls at around 3900.
I shift it at 6400rpms and it goes through the 1/4 mile at around 6400 to 6600rpm depending on the weather. And 60' around 1.70. And has run the best of a 11.72 @115mph.

Last few times out with the car it has been slowing down. And the last time out it was like 2 tenths slow of what it should have been running. And was very inconstant. It varied from .03 to .19 in seven passes.

The 60 foots are about 4 slow and its only finishing at 6000rpms.
so something has gone away. I have already checked a few things and have a idea of what it could be but wanted other options before I do a lot of work for nothing..

Thanks for your help on this.........Rob Derr

HolcombS/G155G · 11-15-2014, 08:34 PM

My guess Rob would be the converter buddy

SUPER STREET ROB · 11-15-2014, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HolcombS/G155G

My guess Rob would be the converter buddy

Thanks Jerry

J&S Racing · 11-16-2014, 12:45 PM

When's the last time you put plugs in it?? Last race our car started to slow and become very inconsistent.....We figured converter but ended up being a set of fairly new plugs.

Johnny Rod · 12-30-2014, 02:30 PM

Had the same problem with a zz 4 with a hot cam kit.. Valve springs went away.

hookdaddy · 12-31-2014, 05:07 PM

Sounds like the convertor to me too Rob. Drain the trans fluid, see if there's metal in it.

Charlie Yannetti · 01-13-2015, 12:10 PM

Now, I'm not going to say it's not the converter, but I have been told on numerous occassions that I had a converter problem, only to find that I just should have checked the valve springs, or spark plugs... they are easy to get at, and fairly inexpensive to replace.. OR, you could break your *** taking the trans and converter out only to find from your builder that they are fine.. unless you put someone else's headache in your car... just sayin'...

Pony Pilot · 01-25-2015, 07:23 AM

I had a similar problem. Found out when I sent the converter back to be freshened up that I had ripped several fins out of it. No metal in the fluid, it still appeared to stall okay, but ET dropped out several tenths over the season. Good luck.

MadMax404 · 01-26-2015, 01:08 PM

I had this happen before and it not be the convertor....after I pulled the convertor twice. It is probably a long shot but I would atleast check the throttle linkage(especially if its a cable). My throttle cable stretched causing the car to slow without any real symptions or notices. Just something to check before tearing into stuff, but its probably the convertor.

11-15-2014, 07:58 PM	#1
SUPER STREET ROB Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: CONOWINGO MD. Posts: 119 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Car slowed down 2 tenths..Advice? I have a 1982 Malibu Wagon with a 350 ZZ4 crate motor and a power glide trans. Converter unknown but stalls at around 3900. I shift it at 6400rpms and it goes through the 1/4 mile at around 6400 to 6600rpm depending on the weather. And 60' around 1.70. And has run the best of a 11.72 @115mph. Last few times out with the car it has been slowing down. And the last time out it was like 2 tenths slow of what it should have been running. And was very inconstant. It varied from .03 to .19 in seven passes. The 60 foots are about 4 slow and its only finishing at 6000rpms. so something has gone away. I have already checked a few things and have a idea of what it could be but wanted other options before I do a lot of work for nothing.. Thanks for your help on this.........Rob Derr

11-15-2014, 08:34 PM	#2
HolcombS/G155G Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Dover PA Posts: 47 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Car slowed down 2 tenths..Advice? My guess Rob would be the converter buddy __________________ DIV 1 Super Gas/Comp Newbie 2001 S/G Camaro, vfn bodied, all alum 430 SBC 2004 S/C Ed Quay XL 4 link dragster, 565 BBC

11-16-2014, 12:45 PM	#4
J&S Racing Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 283 Likes: 102 Liked 318 Times in 82 Posts	Re: Car slowed down 2 tenths..Advice? When's the last time you put plugs in it?? Last race our car started to slow and become very inconsistent.....We figured converter but ended up being a set of fairly new plugs.

12-30-2014, 02:30 PM	#5
Johnny Rod Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Great River LI N.Y Posts: 90 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Car slowed down 2 tenths..Advice? Had the same problem with a zz 4 with a hot cam kit.. Valve springs went away.

12-31-2014, 05:07 PM	#6
hookdaddy Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ocala Florida Posts: 254 Likes: 0 Liked 8 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Car slowed down 2 tenths..Advice? Sounds like the convertor to me too Rob. Drain the trans fluid, see if there's metal in it. __________________ Don Scholl d.scholl@comcast.net 145Y Stock - 145H Super Comp

01-13-2015, 12:10 PM	#7
Charlie Yannetti Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alpine, NJ Posts: 564 Likes: 184 Liked 185 Times in 81 Posts	Re: Car slowed down 2 tenths..Advice? Now, I'm not going to say it's not the converter, but I have been told on numerous occassions that I had a converter problem, only to find that I just should have checked the valve springs, or spark plugs... they are easy to get at, and fairly inexpensive to replace.. OR, you could break your *** taking the trans and converter out only to find from your builder that they are fine.. unless you put someone else's headache in your car... just sayin'...

01-25-2015, 07:23 AM	#8
Pony Pilot Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 25 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Car slowed down 2 tenths..Advice? I had a similar problem. Found out when I sent the converter back to be freshened up that I had ripped several fins out of it. No metal in the fluid, it still appeared to stall okay, but ET dropped out several tenths over the season. Good luck.

01-26-2015, 01:08 PM	#9
MadMax404 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 43 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Car slowed down 2 tenths..Advice? I had this happen before and it not be the convertor....after I pulled the convertor twice. It is probably a long shot but I would atleast check the throttle linkage(especially if its a cable). My throttle cable stretched causing the car to slow without any real symptions or notices. Just something to check before tearing into stuff, but its probably the convertor. __________________ Mad Max NHRA/IHRA Stock 4040 Mickey Thompson Tires;Mothers Polish; Champion Brands Oils