Alright. I'll start by saying that i don't know a whole lot about the 350.
My truck is all ready to go but i'm having problems with the engine that is really killing me.
Alright, the engine i bought is a carbed 350 and it purr'd like a kitty in the car i got it out of.
Well we got my truck rolling and drove it a few miles, but we (friend and I) are having problems with timing and the idle.
Its got a edelbrock carb/performer intake and we THINK a cam. (not sure)
Its all hooked together, getting good fire and enough gas, but the damn thing wont idle well. We cleaned out the carb and the idle jets and such and they're fine and its got new gas.
Alright. We don't know exactly how many degrees we set it at because theres no markings on the timing cover to compare it to. We can retard and advance the timing every which way and throttle response will be good and peppy, but as soon as it goes back down to about 800rpms, it will chug chug and die. We got it half ass running right to where it was responsive and idled good at about 900rpms...but when i shift it into gear (auto) and keep the brake on and try to hold it, it will die because of the weak idle (I think). It will run and drive like a raped gorilla but it just wont idle strong.
We're starting to think that maybe its not getting enough torque because i'm running it open header. We also can't listen to it well because of open header.
Also, that vacuum thing on the auto, we dont have it hooked up.
Anyone have any suggestions?
I'm also getting exhaust done to it tomorrow (monday) morning and have someone look at the engine. I'm gonna take it to some shop my friend told me about just off Texas ave. and University. Anyone have any suggestions on who can do a 1/2 decent exhaust setup for cheap. I woulda done it myself, but i didnt have the time.
So, can anyone suggest a good cheap shop to go to around here or can someone who can tune this engine help us out? Its on a trailer and we can take it anywhere....i'll pay too...and i'd be forever grateful.
Its a hella cool ride though. I can turn my 38s with my pinky lock to lock. Its got a wicked ugly drag link, but since my steering arm wont be in by saturday, i'll have to use the inverted y-draglink. I nearly rolled it fishtailing it around a turn about 10 minutes after getting it running.
EDIT: I'm posting this at 2:00AM...and i'm taking it to get exhaust at 9:00AM. and hopefully have them look at the engine...if anyone wants to look at it tomorrow or tuesday, call me at:
845-1375
or
220-7058