Engine Help- Anyone close to North Hills?

[wht88cpe]

I suspect a bent valve, it's idling like Bernstein's Top Fueler. I didn't do it, it's a long ugly story beyond belief, don't ask just yet. Ran fine when it went where it went, five weeks without the car later this is what I have. Is there anyone close to North Hills who can have a quick look see/listen, do a compression check, have a look at the valve adjustment (pushrods were changed)? Someone who knows what they're doing with roller 5.0. It may have some issues now too with the MAF EFI system, but it's back to the basics at the moment, I need to know what I have to work with, that's all. Car isn't factory by any means, but it's not that trick.

Rodeheaver's looks good to me, but it's not close. I may be possible to limp it there when its time but need to seriously consider $$ options if it's real bad internal engine issues without tying up Tim's space while I think it over. I'll even pay for a house call- reasonable please. PM's please if you can help- I don't want to get into any ugly stuff here (at least not now), I can call you at your convenience. Thanks.

[PaxtonShelby]

Hi - just a thought here. Did you check your vacuum hoses coming off the tree on the driver's side firewall? I had an '87 GT that all of a sudden ran like crap. I hadn't touched anything. Performance and idle went in the crapper, and gas mpg dropped to 7 or 8 with regular driving. Turns out one of my vacuum lines had cracked badly where it attached to the (MAP sensor ) tree? It didn't fall off, and you couldn't tell it was cracked by looking right at it - but behind it had a huge crack in it. I replaced the hose for 50 cents and everything was fine. I know it's a longshot, but worth a quick check.

I actually met Tim at Rodeheaver's today - really nice guy. Knows his stuff. But you might not want to limp the car that far ( 70+ miles ). If you haven't already figured out what's wrong with your car let me know - I know a guy in the North Hills who might be able to help, but I don't want to throw his name out there until I talk to him. So let me know ( and shoot me more of the facts about what has been done to the car and what you think is wrong ) and I'll talk to him about it and see if he has any time to look at it for you.

Take it easy.

Ron

[torqueboxer]

I run around the NH every day with work I would stop by and look at it some time if you are still having the issue.

[Viper_ed]

Check to see that the MAP sensor is plugged in.

[wht88cpe]

I'd like to thank all the great SCS members who took an interest in this problem. I owe a few members a PM after today's posts and will do this later.

It's best if I consider the thread closed and move on to more pleasant thoughts. Many thanks to another shop to make it driveable. I'll just have to deal with the car's issues thru the driving season and figure out what to do with it over the winter. There's just not much more I can say until situation is resolved.

Thanks again to all.

[J-rod]

man talk about leaving us in suspense.