1981 Buick Regal -Starts but majorly misfiring-

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drew_5150

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 2, 2020
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My 1981 Regal 3.8L was stolen from me in 2005, 15 year's later (November) I found it and brought it home. At first when I tried to start it it was plopping in misfiring and I thought it was due to bad gas and/or a dirty carburetor so we rebuilt the carburetor and got it bolted back on yesterday. Still having the same symptoms so I went to the parts store and bought a new cap, rotor, spark plugs and its still missing, now I'm waiting on spark plug wires (they had to be ordered in). I'm writing this to ask if anyone else has dealt with Something simular minus the car being stolen at one point.. lol
Any common issues I might be overlooking?
Anyone have a good vacuum diagram for that year?
Any help is much appreciated!
received_463795007900182.jpeg
 
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ck80

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Feb 18, 2014
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Misfiring could happen if the timing chain skipped somewhat due to worn/broken nylon teeth is one option. Have you checked what it's currently at?
 
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500/600

Royal Smart Person
Nov 17, 2018
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West Virginia
Simple compression test of all cylinders is the first step. If their all good it’s fixable. If even one is bad then uh oh.
 
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blk7gxn

Royal Smart Person
Feb 7, 2019
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CONGRATULATIONS on getting your beautiful regal back!! Sorry to hear this happened to you. On the misfiring, the first thing i would do is to confirm the firing order is correct, making sure wires aren't switched around. Here is a pic of the firing order, hope it helps

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drew_5150

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 2, 2020
10
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Thanks for the quick responses! :giggle: First thing I did when I got it back was cleaned the tank out and it was dry thankfully. Then I checked the wires and made sure everything was correct as far as the firing order goes. And when you try to adjust the distributor, any movement one way or another and it won't stay running..
 

drew_5150

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 2, 2020
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Thank you all! I am very appreciative to have been able to locate it and get it back. (It's a crazy story I will share if you guy's want to hear it? lol)
 
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blk7gxn

Royal Smart Person
Feb 7, 2019
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Does the main hot feed wire to the distributor bad, the one that plugs into the cap?
 
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drew_5150

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 2, 2020
10
13
3
If you've never replaced the HEI module, it might be a worthwhile part to throw at it. Don't forget the paste on the bottom- very important.

Funny thing is I just bought it today with the plugs I was waiting for so I'm going to replace both this afternoon and I'll let you guy's know what happens..
 
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