Engine power problem

[mrr1999]

My 70 Chevelle has been in storage for the last 3 years or so and I am trying to work out the bugs in it. I drove it over the weekend and found the car runs fairly smooth to about 50 MPH (2200 RPM) and suddenly hits a brick wall as far as power goes. Car starts shaking badly and will not go any faster nor will it rev any higher.

Any idea what I should look at first? It is a fairly stock 396 with a TH400.

Thanks.

[bulletpruf]

Originally Posted by mrr1999

My 70 Chevelle has been in storage for the last 3 years or so and I am trying to work out the bugs in it. I drove it over the weekend and found the car runs fairly smooth to about 50 MPH (2200 RPM) and suddenly hits a brick wall as far as power goes. Car starts shaking badly and will not go any faster nor will it rev any higher.

Any idea what I should look at first? It is a fairly stock 396 with a TH400.

Thanks.

Need more info.

Has the engine been run at all in the past 3 years?

Did you flush out the gas tank and change the fuel filter?

Is it points or electronic ignition? If points, have they been replaced? How old are the plug wires?

Did you check for a vacuum leak?

Is it rpm limited or mph limited - - does it hit the wall at 2200 in each gear or just at 50 mph?

Scott

[mrr1999]

The motor last ran about 3 months ago. HEI with new wires and plugs, hits the wall at 50 MPH but not when revving through first and second. Did not check for a vacuum leak. New fuel filter, but did not clean the tank. Just filled it with fresh gas, though.

Thanks, again for your help.

[Vegas69]

Likely a carb or fuel dilivery problem.