Quick answer. On September 1, 2026 our tech went out to a 1984 Camaro Z28. The owner and his brother had put on a new intake, carb and distributor, and it would not run right. It was booked for one hour at our $150 shop rate, and the testing started where these jobs usually go wrong.
Key Points
- The car was a 1984 Camaro Z28.
- The owners had put on a new intake, a new carb and a new distributor.
- It was booked for one hour at $150 on a mobile visit.
- The first checks were distributor position, rotor phasing and vacuum leaks.
- If the intake had to come back off, we said we would call first.
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What the Owners Did
Two brothers did a real job here. New intake manifold. New carb. New distributor. That is the whole top of the engine.
Then it would not run right. That happens to good mechanics all the time after this much work.
So they called us to help finish it. We like these jobs.
Where It Usually Goes Wrong
After this kind of work, two things cause most of the trouble. The distributor goes in one tooth off. Or a vacuum port is left open.
One tooth off puts the spark at the wrong time. The engine may crank and fire, then backfire, run rough or not idle at all.
An open vacuum port is a big air leak. The engine runs lean and will not settle down. So those were the first checks on the quote.
1984 Camaro Z28, mobile visit, September 1, 2026
Came in with: New intake, carb and distributor installed by the owners. Needs help running.
First checks: Distributor drop in position, rotor phasing, vacuum leaks.
If it gets bigger: If the intake has to come off to reseal, we call before doing anything.
What it cost: One hour at the $150 shop rate.
What We Assumed
Our quote said what it took for granted. The engine cranks and will at least fire. The carb and the intake are a matched pair for this engine.
If either of those is wrong, the job changes. Writing it down keeps everybody honest about what one hour covers.
The job record does not say how the day ended, so we will not say it either.
Built Into the Quote
The assumptions, the first checks and the call before resealing were all written into the quote in Shop Desk, the software we built at our San Jacinto shop.
It does that for every job, and any mechanic can use it free. See Shop Desk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why will my engine not run after a new distributor?
The most common reason is the distributor went in one tooth off. That puts the spark at the wrong time.
Can a vacuum leak stop a fresh carb from idling?
Yes. An open port lets in extra air, and the engine runs lean and rough.
How much was this visit?
One hour at our $150 shop rate, on a mobile visit.
What if the intake has to come back off?
We call you before doing anything more. That was written into this quote.
Supercanic tip: After a top end swap, mark the rotor position before you pull the old distributor. It saves an hour of hunting. Call us at (951) 904-2477.
Project Car Won't Run Right?
We check timing, rotor phasing and vacuum first, and call before anything comes apart.
