Auto Parts: FUEL INJECTORS, gasket leaks, intake manifold gasket

Question
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1993 CAMARO WITH THE 3.4 LITER ENGINE FROM A SALVAGE YARD. WHAT IS THE STOCK FUEL INJECTOR FLOW RATE AND HOW DO I TELL IF IT HAS THE RIGHT ONES IN IT. I HAVE A HARD TIME STARTING THE CAR AND IF I PUNCH IT, THE CAR STALLS OR HESITATES.

Answer
    The stock flow rate of the injector recommended for this engine is 17 lbs./hr.  The injectors in the car, if they are the original ones, should be either 17112979 or 17113175.  Your symptoms sound like they are probably not the injectors.  Hard starting when cold means that the mixture is too lean.  This could be the result of dirty injectors, low fuel pressure, or a faulty coolant or air temperature sensor.  The stalling or hesitation could be from a vacuum leak, faulty TPS or MAP sensor, or, possibly dirty fuel injectors.  Unless you have reason to believe that one of the injectors has failed (either not firing or leaking) the first thing you want to do is get them cleaned.  If this engine was in a salvage yard, they may well have never been cleaned.  If they are really gross (pull one out and look at the area around the pintle on the bottom), most big shops have a setup that lets them clean injectors off the engine.  If they are hard to get to, then putting a bottle of Redline™ fuel injection cleaner in a mostly empty tank of gas and driving for a while before filling up will get rid of most of the crud, as well as helping to clean the intake valves.  An engine that came from a salvage yard ought to, at the very least, get a checkup from a compression gauge on all cylinders (to keep from throwing good money after bad) and a new set of spark plugs.  Plus, every connector on the harness should be inspected closely to make sure that a good connection is being made.  It would also be a good idea to check the fuel pressure to make sure it is up to spec.  These 90º V6 engines are very prone to intake manifold gasket leaks, which are vacuum leaks, and that will make diagnosing the engine very difficult until it is fixed.  Try spraying a little carb cleaner into the oil filler at idle.  If you get a big jump in the revs, then there is a leak on the underside of the manifold and it needs to be resealed.