1984 Runs like a top, LACKS power

[mountaindude]

1984 SR5 wagon. Runs like a top. Fast on the flat ground. Lacks ANY uphill power, like 35MPH. Any idea why or how to fix her? MD

[irowiki]

What gear are you in when you're trying to go up said hills? How steep are said hills?

Are you saying you can only go 35 MPH up a steep hill? That may not be so far fetched. My 81 can go fast when it is flat or downhill but is a dog up hills unless I flog her.

HAve you done a compression check lately? Do you lose any oil over time?

[dlb]

compression test is a good suggestion. when was the last time you replaced all the basic tune up stuff—cap, rotor, wires, etc? have you checked the timing? stock timing WITH VAC ADVANCE DISCONNECTED AND PLUGGED is 5* BTDC, but 10* BTDC is better.

[marlinh]

Is it an automatic or standard?

[irowiki]

Mmm he said SR5 so I assumed a manual.

[marlinh]

It is best if someone specifies what they drive. Sometimes assuming leads you down the wrong path. Another thing to check, is to make sure the timing belt isn't off a tooth.

[Petros]

Any idea why or how to fix her? MD

we have lots of ideas, but we need more information to be able to help you. what have you done to it? have you checked anything?

check timing, check that mechanical advance on the distributor is working properly, check for vac leaks or that all of the vac hoses are connected properly.

[keith]

I'd start with a thorough check of the timing, not just the initial timing at idle but check for mechanical advance and vacuum advance. Then make sure it has the right spark plugs in it. If the nose is too long or too short, the flame front wont be right. I have found that this engine responds well to the Bosch Platinum +4, but its the only engine I have ever found to respond to these plugs differently.

[mountaindude]

MORE INFO:

I am talking low power on just about any incline.

Here is what I have:
1984 SR5 Wagon 5 speed manual

Did:
I replaced the timing belt
Rotor and cap
Plugs and wires, although I can do it again. What plugs (ND's)?

Did Not:
I have NOT checked the timing with a light
Not checked any vaccuum hoses.

[Petros]

Do not bother changing the plugs, that is not likely the issue.

check timing and mechanical advance. vacuum advance will not affect power output, that only operates when at part throttle conditions after the engine is warmed up.

did this happen after you changed the timing belt by any chance? If so, best pull the top timing belt cover and double check the belt is on correctly and not a tooth or two off. It can run with it off a bit, but it will be down on power and get poor fuel economy. Make sure you have the lower pulley at "O", TDC, and than check the timing mark on the front of the head lines up with the hole in the sprocket on the cam. Even mechanics get this off occasionally, so do not assume it is correct no matter who does it. When I do it, I get the belt on correctly, get the belt tensioner tight, and than rotate the crank over by hand through two full revolutions of the crank turning it the correct direction, and than check it again. I have done it hundreds of times on different cars, even so very rarely it is off one tooth and I have to do it again.

[dlb]

mountaindude, when did you do the timing belt? did the lack of power on hills start right after doing the t-belt? i would definitely get a timing light and check that out. could even just be that the 12 mm bolt that holds the distributor in place is loose and letting the dizzy turn. another forum member just had that happen on his car.

to check the advance mechanism in the dizzy, remove the cap and try to twist the rotor counter clockwise. it should have a small amount of spring-loaded counter clockwise place. if it doesn't budge, it's probably because the grease in there is crudded up with dirt and grit. keith has had success with simply spraying pb blaster or something like that in the drain hole at the bottom of the dizzy but i prefer to remove the dizzy, disassemble it, clean out the old grease, re-grease it, put it back together, and re-install it. i have done this a few times on gummed up dizzy's and it has worked really well for me.

[keith]

dib, just to be clear, and I admit I am getting defensive here, I have done the PB Blaster and it worked, but I was just doing that as a troubleshooting procedure, Ultimately, I removed the distributor and did it right too. PB Blaster works as an intermediate step until you get the a round "tuit" to do it right.

[dlb]

sorry keith, i didn't realize you wound up disassembling the dizzy as well. my bad.

[keith]

No worries. But to help the poster, here is a link on getting the timing correct for the engine should he remove the distributor. It also addresses checking the cam timing without disassembling everything.

https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5216

[TURTCEL]

I guess another thought could be a plugged catalytic convertor. If the car runs well under light load then it would not be affected with a plugged convertor but if the car is under driving conditions that require some power then a plugged cat could be possible. Just a thought.

Peace