1978 Chevy Corvette lack of power

1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
74,000 MILES • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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KIMTHALER
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I am the original owner of this 78 Vette.

I changed the plugs and wires and found that the drivers side bank had clean plugs. The passenger side had the head of the plugs almost gone. The drivers side exhaust (no crossover pipe) had much less exhaust output than the passenger side exhaust. I had the pipes behind the dual catalytic converters replaced including the mufflers and they told me the cats were both good. Power 0-60 used to be around 7.2, now it is around 9.5.
Help!
Kim Thaler
Aug 28, 2010 at 10:25 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Is the engine missing or running differently other than the power loss? Have you checked engine compression? I ask because of the difference you explained with the plugs. Also, has the carb had any work done to it?
Aug 30, 2010 at 9:03 PM
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KIMTHALER
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I really do not notice any specific missing. In fact, it passed inspection in California, but the guy doing the inspection was scratching his head why one side of the exhaust had less output (maybe 50% less). I only run the car around 500 miles a year. I last rebuilt the carb around 15 years ago. I did put in a new distributer about 5 years ago and it did run a bit better.
Aug 31, 2010 at 10:01 AM
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KIMTHALER
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No, I have not checked the compression test in a very long time (maybe 20 years).
Aug 31, 2010 at 10:03 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Based on how the plugs are, you may want to start there and have the air / fuel mixture adjusted on the carb.
Sep 1, 2010 at 10:47 AM
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KIMTHALER
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I beleive your response makes sense. I will try the carb adjustment once I get over my knee surgery. I did buy a rebuild kit a few years ago so I might try rebuilding the carb or just buy a new one.
Thanks!
Sep 3, 2010 at 12:15 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Let me know what you find.
Sep 3, 2010 at 12:55 PM