318 popping in left bank header under load. Look at my plugs

-
HankRearden

HankRearden

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2017
Messages
975
Reaction score
2,029
Location
PA
Bone stock low compression 79 318. Cheap headers edelbrock streetmaster intake and 625 street demon.
Started popping badly on left bank. At first I thought it was just an exhaust leak so I fixed the leaking header gasket.
I pulled a couple plugs and the electrode has large amounts of buildup on the side of the electrode. This looks weird and Im thinking this is something ignition timing related and maybe lean but I really don't know.
The ignition timing is set at 14 degrees btdc. No pinging or hard starting.

plug1.jpg


plug2.jpg


plug3.jpg


plug4.jpg


plug5.jpg
 
Changed the plugs. Wires are only about a month old. Maybe Ill swap wires and do a compression test.
 
Anything get in..?
Look and see if ya shot a wasp nest out the tail pipe. Jk

Crusty plug...looks like coolant sludge..or burnt oil. Looking by cell phone though.
 
Last edited:
looks to me like it's burning something other than fuel.
it's time for a new set of plugs and reassess.
 
rule of thumb,..poping out the carb is a ignition issue,..poping out the pipes is a carburation issue! but id pull valve covers and check for a whipped lobe or a bent push rod,...rocker arm issue!
 
dirty white boy said:
rule of thumb,..poping out the carb is a ignition issue,..poping out the pipes is a carburation issue! but id pull valve covers and check for a whipped lobe or a bent push rod,...rocker arm issue!
Click to expand...


Hmm yeah, its definitely popping badly in the exhaust not out the intake.
Starts like fuel injection and idles perfectly. Only does it under load. I wonder if it could have burnt a valve?
 
Run a leak down test something is getting in there for sure. Weird all 8 plugs look like that. Colant in the intake somehow?
 
halifaxhops said:
Run a leak down test something is getting in there for sure. Weird all 8 plugs look like that. Colant in the intake somehow?
Click to expand...
No just 3 and 5 look like that. This is the worst. Plugs have about 5000 miles on them
 
Two together run a leak down and see if it is going into the coolant, thinking head gasket at the least.
 
Jeff Seighman said:
?????

Jeff
Click to expand...
It looks like mud. Tell something you've seen like that before that isn't a million mile motor , exaggerationwith issues.
HankRearden said:
Hmm yeah, its definitely popping badly in the exhaust not out the intake.
Starts like fuel injection and idles perfectly. Only does it under load. I wonder if it could have burnt a valve?
Click to expand...
Yes. Hung open, under some load will pop out the exhaust. Not at idle, just under throttle. Could be your problem.
 
MOPAROFFICIAL said:
It looks like mud. Tell something you've seen like that before that isn't a million mile motor , exaggerationwith issues.

Yes. Hung open, under some load will pop out the exhaust. Not at idle, just under throttle. Could be your problem.
Click to expand...


You know I just took the previous owners word that the 50k mileage is legit as they were first owner but maybe it is high mileage. it doesn't use any oil.

Meh I was planning a amagnum swap for this winter. I'll do a compression test and leakdown test.
 
Yes it looks like the same mud I've seen in water pumps and cooling passages of some of the old blocks I've had. Is there a piece of wire wrapped around the ground strap of that plug?

Jeff
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top