Lacking power in all 4 gears

[italiansub52]

I don’t seem to be getting any power in any gear. Vac hoses are good, new plugs, right side primary carb has been rebuilt, compression test was good and timing set to 18 degrees BTDC. Right side exhaust smokes and some black spittle comes out of tailpipe. Idle seems a bit low however and hard to keep her going at stops. Valves are good too. Just recently changed gaskets. This is a 65 Corsa 4 spd, 140 non turbo.

[erco]

What do your plugs look like?

[66vairguy]

As erco said - what did the plugs look like.

Not sure what "No Power" means. Is this a sudden noticeable change? Was the car sitting a while, now runs poorly?

Does car run fun at partial throttle, then poorly at full throttle?

[italiansub52]

Plugs were just changed. Car ran fine, didn’t sit for long period. Then all the sudden, RPM struggling to get to 2500 in first gear. Just no get up and go!

[66vairguy]

Vague response after two weeks --- seems like another BOT.

[kmart356]

Plugs were just changed. Car ran fine, didn’t sit for long period. Then all the sudden, RPM struggling to get to 2500 in first gear. Just no get up and go!

Check all the vacuum and balance tube connections. Also check the throttle linkage connections. Maybe you knocked something loose accidentally when changing plugs.

Is there a club chapter close enough to Myrtle Beach, perhaps someone can help.

[Dennis66]

User has 17 posts covering different topics and going back to 2023. Probably not a bot, maybe just busy with other things.

[italiansub52]

Thanks, I’m not a bot. LOL! I’ll check vacuum hoses and throttle connections. Thanks, again.

[66vairguy]

That kind of lack of power might be the engine only developing full power on one side of engine (3 cylinders) due to poor or no fuel on one side. Could be a carburetor on one side. If 140 HP you should have dual exhausts. Check to see if exhaust on one side is colder compared to other side.

[Phil Dally]

Great screen name!!

[jimbrandberg]

Carefully look into the carburetors with the engine running to see if there's raw gas from drippy venturi clusters. Careful of your eyes if it wants to backfire.
Good idea by someone else to feel if both sides are warm. With single exhaust you can feel the cylinder head area itself.

If you rule out the carburetors it could be the mechanical advance in the distributor isn't working. Maybe the points or condenser or coil. Sometimes the spark is enough for low RPMs but too weak to make much power. You need a timing light to observe the advance action.

I'm thinking about an Italian Sub where they really splash on the vinegar and oil, I saw a commercial the other day...

[Phil Dally]

Santoro's in Burbank...Giamela's in Atwater Village and Sunland.

Both were an integral part of my youth...especially Santoro's!!

https://santorossubs.com/sandwich-menu/

https://www.giamelas.com/menu/

They're 3 hours away now but I'll be in LA at Luky's next week.

http://lukyshardware.com/

[SkidRo]

Along with the mechanical advance in the distributor, check the vacuum advance. Mine was stuck and I had no power at all.

[Frank DuVal]

I'm thinking about an Italian Sub where they really splash on the vinegar and oil, I saw a commercial the other day...

Jersey Mike's #13 done Mike's Way with banana peppers and that pepper spread (goes by different names) Yum! The Cappacuolo is the hard ingredient to find to make them at home, but sometimes Lidl or Aldi has it.

Now what was the question??? Oh, yea, power loss. What engine?

[66vairguy]

Oh DARN --- now I REALLY want a good sub!

[RexJohnson]

If one side isn't working the choke on that side usually won't open because of lack of heat. A good thing to check if you have single exhaust and can't hear what is happening.