hey mark, i got a another question. did you use the stock electronic distributor for your setup or did you use an aftermarket one and if so which one? TIA omar
231 Hello Omar, I converted the stock HEI to an MSD setup with an external coil and ignition box. It made a huge difference. Also, don't use the stock style 231 distributor cap. It has unevenly spaced terminals. Instead use a cap from a 250 Chevy 6-cylinder engine with HEI. It has evenly spaced terminals which improves timing accuracy and spark saturation. You can pick one up at NAPA or any good parts store. How's the project coming along? If you haven't yet picked up a copy, get the V6 Performance Manual. It has loads of info on improving the performance of the V6. Mark
just thought i would throw my $0.02 in i have built a couple of 231 and the main thing i did was pull the 4 bbl intake off the 252 and put it on the 231 also milled the heads and ran a daul exhust off the cast iron manifolds and this was in a 83 cutlass and it ran great i was also looking through my jim ruggles performance guide and he got 227 hp at 5200rpm and 257 torque at 2800rpm out of a 252 v-6 and he says by doing the same thing he did to a 231 you can expect comparable power to displacement.
thrust plate i would say put one in anyways for the 15 bucks you spend it will be well worth the question if it is on not bad. as for power i have a 79 turbo 4 barrel setup if you want a little mo'power andy:blast:
thanks for all the great info. i think the first thing i am gonna do is change the distributor to non-computer controlled b/c i think that is my problem with idle, off idle and anything from 0-1500 rpm stummble. omar
Non-computer controlled distributor You definately need to change out that computer controlled distributor since it has no vacuum advance, nor mechanical advance features. Just read this thread, if you used a double roller cam, be cautious with the stock tensioner. Double roller cams tend to shread the tensioner. Unfortunately the debris from the tensioner cloggs the oil inlet thus starving the engine of oil. This may result in the #5 and #6 rod bearings overheating and ultimately failing. Please get an oil pressure gage and watch the pressure. At oil changes be on the look for plastic particles. It is a very good idea to cut the oil filter at every oil change to see what has been collected. Sounds like a great project has come together.
where do you think i can get a used non-computer distributor from? (i mean from what car?) TIA omar oh by the way i did not use the tensioner due to good advice from this thread.
Non-computer controlled distributor You definately need to change out that computer controlled distributor since it has no vacuum advance, nor mechanical advance features. Just read this thread, if you used a double roller cam, be cautious with the stock tensioner. Double roller cams tend to shread the tensioner. Unfortunately the debris from the tensioner cloggs the oil inlet thus starving the engine of oil. This may result in the #5 and #6 rod bearings overheating and ultimately failing. Please get an oil pressure gage and watch the pressure. At oil changes be on the look for plastic particles. It is a very good idea to cut the oil filter at every oil change to see what has been collected. Sounds like a great project has come together.
dist you could get one from any lesaber,cutlass, regal,monte carlo,century,monza,skyhawk,grand prix,and i think some firbirds had 3.2 or 3.8 v6from 77 to 80,i do have one if you interested 40 bucks plus ship from chicago il 60455 if your still running a computer carb you will need to change that too. andy:stmad:
are the 77-80 3.8's even or odd fire, because i have an 84 motor that is (I believe) even-fire. does it even make a difference? omar
odd fire some 77s can be oddfire but more than likely the are even fires. but anything 78-80 is definate an even fire.you can tell a odd fire by the valve cover as the even fire is rectangular with round corners the odd fire has one corner that is not roundes but cut at an angle.and there is two indentations that maybe look racing stripes goins shortways across vavle covers ans i think the line up with the valvecover bolts :Smarty: andy
Even fire V-6 The odd fire distributor is easy to identify since it looks live a V-8 distributor with two of the connectors blanked off. After all the Buick V-6 started out as the Buick 350 with a couple of cylinders lobbed off. Somewhere in 77 the conversion to even fire occurred that is why you can look for a 77 thru 80 distributor For more information on the interesting engine check out Dauntless V6 Information and Links
I will be removing an Edelbrock alum intake and 500cfm carb off my V6 here shortly if interested. The carb is an electric choke but I'm removing the electric choke to put on my 750cfm carb for my 350 motor. You can buy electric chokes from Edelbrock. Also, I listed my dual headers on eBay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2419938645 You lose the computer and smog pump with this intake and carb but pick up some good horse power. Take care, MARK
