why is my 1988 chevrolet truck missing?

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shellywelly

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My truck keeps missing when you put it in gear. It idols fine in park but when you put it in gear it starts missing. It feels like it is flooding, it feels like it is either getting too much gas or not enough.
 
1988? Transmission is probably going out or slipping real bad. You failed to mention how many miles or km are on the truck.
 
If your engine isn't running quite right then it could idle okay but miss or knock when you put it under extra load, like if you shift from park to drive or reverse.

Check your plugs first because it's easy and can show other problems that may be present. If they are simply old and have too much carbon on them replacing them could solve your problem. Pay attention when you take them out, they can tell you a lot about how your motor is running.

If the plugs are alright it still could be ignition related - double check your wires, your distributor, all that stuff.

If your spark system is good then it is probably fuel related, which is what it sounds like when you say "it feels like it is either getting too much gas or not enough." It's possible your problem is just a dirty fuel filter. Enough gas is flowing when the motor is idling, but when it needs more gas the filter is too clogged and it sputters and/or stalls. I am assuming your 88 Chevy has throttle body injection? the ports could be dirty and not allowing enough gas in.

It could be something pretty major as well. If your head gasket is bad or your rings aren't sealing properly then it could have *enough* compression to run at idle but just can't handle any addition stress. Hopefully it is something simpler, as doing rings or a head gasket is a pretty major job. A messed up head gasket would show other symptoms as well - check your coolant and oil. Is there coolant or oil where it isn't supposed to be? Are you burning oil or coolant through your exhaust? That should also show on your plugs, if there is oil or coolant in your cylinders.

There are too many possibilities to list them all, it's best to go back to basics. You need spark, air, fuel, compression. If any of those is not good then your motor could be doing what you say, it's really something you have to troubleshoot in person. If you aren't comfortable you can take it to a trustworthy mechanic. They can help, it's their job.
 
Check for vacuum leaks, possibly bad gasket under throttle body.(fairly common)
 
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