Rather than continuing to post in the other thread, I thought I'd start a new one. I finished up the cam install yesterday. Specs on the cam are as follows - 227*/241* @ .050, 107* lobe separation, 102* intake centerline, .3186"/.31" lobe lift. Fired it up yesterday, only broke it in for 15min before it started getting warm and I shut it down. I'm planning on breaking it in for another 15min or so today, then I'll change the oil, top off and burp the cooling system, and hopefully take it for a drive. Everything went pretty smoothly, aside from ending up with a gallon or two of coolant on the floor of my garage. I'll try and get a few vids too. The few seconds it did idle, it sounded pretty bad ass. And for those that are curious, the complete combo is as follows: 401 bored .030 over, 850cfm Holley DP, ported doc dual plane intake, cleaned up factory heads, compression somewhere around 9.3-9.4:1, ported factory manifolds, dual 2 1/4" exhaust with Flowmasters, and a Pertronix Ignitor III ignition setup.
Good job getting that together. If you have them mods the thumper should really wake it up. Cant wait to see a video.Good luck:TU:
Finished everything up this afternoon. Had one scare, still haven't figured out what the noise was. Think it might have just been one of the belts, or possibly one of the accessories. Went away and hasn't come back since. Still running good so I don't think it's anything internal, like my initial suspicion was. Don't have any driving vids yet (ran out of time), but here are the vids I did shoot. http://youtu.be/mZMLG2psjzM http://youtu.be/oAUbiXjeedk http://youtu.be/RKFyLsqklEk This thing is NASTY! I mean, the idle is ridiculous. Not sure on the vacuum, but with the factory vacuum can it has enough to run the power brakes. Still need to get things dialed in but I managed to take it around the block. Idles at about 1000rpms in park, roughly 600-700 in gear. Definitely wish it had a bigger converter, but the stock ST400 converter in high stall does the job. It pulls HARD above 3000rpms with no perceptible loss in torque. Providing everything stays together, I couldn't be happier.
Great to hear the install went well!:beers2: It sounds awesome....gives me goosebumps. :grin: What does your exhaust system consist of? If you're using the 13" sp converter, consider a smaller small-block or V6 unit for more stall. I'm using the stock (small) GS converter for about 2000/3000 stall. Picked up a V6 one but haven't installed it yet.
Thanks everyone! Walt, the exhaust consists of the factory manifolds, dual 2 1/4" pipes, and Flowmaster 40 series mufflers dumped before the rear axle.
Only 26 weeks until I'm legal!!! Not that I'm counting or anything... :laugh: Noticed a coolant leak today - either the thermostat gasket, or the o-ring for the water manifold. Fingers crossed it's just the thermostat. But realistically if a coolant leak is my only issue, I'll be a happy guy! The noise I mentioned early still has me a little nervous. You can actually hear it right before the end of the first vid, that's why I shut it off. The way it sounded, I thought it was definitely internal, but of course I was jumping to the worst possible conclusion. I fired it up again for a few seconds to try and pin point the source but I couldn't narrow down a location at all. I left it for 30min or so while I ate lunch, and miraculously when I came back it was gone. It was not a ticking type noise, but rather a rubbing or grinding. The only thing I was able to come up with was that the belts & or pulleys got wet from either the hose, or from the antifreeze that was spewing about. Or possibly an accessory bearing on it's way out. I figure since it didn't make a single odd noise during the hour or so while I tuned it all is probably ok. That's what I'm hoping at least. I'd hate to have to tear back into it.
No new updates yet, finally got all the coolant leaks buttoned up this weekend. Everything should be good to go now! Hopefully this weekend we'll have some good weather and I can take it out for a shakedown run.
Approximately 14*. About 34* total. Haven't spent much time playing with timing yet, but it seems to run pretty good.
Finally got to take it on the maiden voyage. Had to put a new coil in since the 2 year old Pertronix Ignitor III started leaking oil everywhere, but everything seems to be good now. It ran great. I definitely think there's more in it though. I need to install the re-curve kit that I finally found, and play with the timing a bit. Carb could probably use a little work too. But overall you can feel that its got more top end, and the low end seems about the same. I managed to get 2 vids of the drive. I didn't beat on it too hard in either, but the first is definitely more entertaining. They were taken with my iPhone taped to the seat, so forgive me if they aren't perfect. Here are the links; Another Idle Vid - http://youtu.be/uWOuE5HocFQ Drive 1 - http://youtu.be/DYBzfLgSTOE Drive 2 - http://youtu.be/ejQM5viwVR0 Thus far I'm happy as can be. It's really temperamental when it's cold, but that's to be expected with a big cam and a carb with no choke. Like I said before I really wish it had a bigger converter, but that's about it. :bglasses:
Sounds great Andy. After the second vid I kinda thought I was driveing around with you. Do you have posi? Trying to watch your tach, looks like its gonna really go when you wind it up:TU:
