So after wrecking my C5 that was supercharged, I purchased a 1975 stingray with a few modifications; side pipes, coilovers from snake bite and some other small stuff. Car was in really good shape and no rust.
Started by doing the body which wasn't bad at all and painting it bright blue metallic. There was a couple weeks when it was primer black and it almost stayed that way. Looked so bad *** that color.
But I did paint it and had a few small problems due to my being retarded. Like having the head lights up when spraying so now it has eyebrows. But the color was absolutely perfect for a C3.
Then it was time to seriously evaluate the engine. L-48. Eval over. Started building something a bit more... Alive. So after building the engine all summer I got to lie on my back under that mfer for what seemed like months. Put the damn flex plate in wrong. So what I built was a high nickel truck block from 84 with a forged scat crank and rods, 383 displacement at 11:1 compression. it has a fairly aggressive cam with springs and push rods to match. The intake valves are 205 and the heads were the camel hump iron heads everyone used to beg for. Seriously ported because of the valves. Then it has an older weiand polished intake and a 750 pro-form double pumper. Msd ignition and of course the side pipes which sport 4inch collectors.
The engine now has about maybe 500 miles on it and it's starting to get good. Hard as hell to dial in tho. Timing quirks and mixture problems along with a really frustrating tendency to decide not to idle anymore.
So why is this thing so hard to get right? I've been around for many moons and am gonna have a heart attack f...ing with this engine. First I discovered a vacuum leak which turned into an oil leak which is still there just a bit. (intake). So how do I make this thing act right? I'm heading for head butts on broken glass.

 

Vacuum leaks that turn into oil leaks? Have I got a thread for you!

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...is-winter.html

Legend says George R.R. Martin took a break from writing to read that thread.

But seriously, email @lars for his timing papers, and start by getting that squared away. And please post some photos!

 

First off....I will be the first to tell you that there is no such thing as a "high nickle" block.....this is a myth that started on the internet like 10 years ago.....not sure how it gained traction. Just letting you know as the people that do know will tell you elsewhere than here.

Ok.....now that we are square....the first thing you need to do is get the timing situated.......and the aforenoted Lars timing papers above are the order of the day........
A picture of the engine with no air cleaner is very helpful.......
It's been 25 years since I have heard of anyone putting 2.05 intake valves in GM production heads........the valve size has little to do with flow on these......it's fine, but overkill......
Go around and see if your intake bolts are tight......

Jebby