Need advice for my first engine upgrade
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
The pre-oil does a few things - it makes sure everything's working, and it makes sure everything's wet 
I this case since it's just a top it's really not an issue other than to make sure the oil is coming up through the pushrods.
The easy way to set static timing is to bring the engine up on compression stroke #1 - just put your finger over the hole while someone "bumps" or manually turns over the engine. Then move the engine so the timing mark is at about 12-16 degreest BTDCC...you can eyeball it Then install the distributor so that the rotor is pointing directly to the #1 tower. The easiest way to do this is to mark the centerline of the #1 tower on the distributor body, then measure back 1 - 11/16" for a standard distributor or 2 - 1/4" for HEI and make another mark. Line up the rotor with this 2nd mark and drop it in...if the distributor won't drop, then just bump it until it does. Then double-check and see if any final adjustment is required. I'm making this sound too hard - it's actually pretty quick
You can fill the carb bowls through the bowl vent - what kind of carb again?
I this case since it's just a top it's really not an issue other than to make sure the oil is coming up through the pushrods.The easy way to set static timing is to bring the engine up on compression stroke #1 - just put your finger over the hole while someone "bumps" or manually turns over the engine. Then move the engine so the timing mark is at about 12-16 degreest BTDCC...you can eyeball it
Then install the distributor so that the rotor is pointing directly to the #1 tower. The easiest way to do this is to mark the centerline of the #1 tower on the distributor body, then measure back 1 - 11/16" for a standard distributor or 2 - 1/4" for HEI and make another mark. Line up the rotor with this 2nd mark and drop it in...if the distributor won't drop, then just bump it until it does. Then double-check and see if any final adjustment is required. I'm making this sound too hard - it's actually pretty quick You can fill the carb bowls through the bowl vent - what kind of carb again?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 318
Likes: 3
From: NP Nebraska
So I got the 383 engine set in and hooked up. I figured out the problem with the first attempt in starting it - plug wire fiasco. I can't believe how easy it is to be certain everything is just right then - BAM - you find out you are an idiot! After I walked away and thought about it a minute when I wasn't looking it came to me.
Going to start it tonight.
Going to start it tonight.
Last edited by myko; Dec 5, 2011 at 08:08 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 318
Likes: 3
From: NP Nebraska
The engine is in and running. Had a few hiccoughs and a couple of near chokes! I'll post details and pics later.
Before I can take any pictures of the finished product I need a couple of pieces. How have people been attaching the throttle cable, the transmission kick down cable, and the brake vacuum line to the Edelbrock Performer Vortec intake manifold? The stock brackets don't fit on the new intake so I need a new mounting strategy.
Thanks,
Mike
Before I can take any pictures of the finished product I need a couple of pieces. How have people been attaching the throttle cable, the transmission kick down cable, and the brake vacuum line to the Edelbrock Performer Vortec intake manifold? The stock brackets don't fit on the new intake so I need a new mounting strategy.
Thanks,
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 787
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 787
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Stock hood - and there is an adapter under the carb. With a drop base air cleaner it just fits. I can't use a wing nut on the air cleaner because it contacts the hood. I ran 12.40 at 107 last month.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 318
Likes: 3
From: NP Nebraska
I have different attachments than your '77. Are they stock? I will post some pictures. I thought it was b/c you didn't have the vortec intake but I see that we have the same 8 bolt intakes.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 318
Likes: 3
From: NP Nebraska
Here is the new engine!
Here is a couple of pics of the old brackets on the intake manifold. Ignore the extra Qjet on the dizzy in the first pic.
I realize now that the bracket for the throttle cable is the same. Maybe I just need to work with the one holding the other cables? Did you remove the vacuum canister to the drivers side of the distributor?
Here is a couple of pics of the old brackets on the intake manifold. Ignore the extra Qjet on the dizzy in the first pic.
I realize now that the bracket for the throttle cable is the same. Maybe I just need to work with the one holding the other cables? Did you remove the vacuum canister to the drivers side of the distributor?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Nice! I am also using a stock hood and drop base air cleaner. Haven't put the hood on to see how close I am yet.
I have different attachments than your '77. Are they stock? I will post some pictures. I thought it was b/c you didn't have the vortec intake but I see that we have the same 8 bolt intakes.
I have different attachments than your '77. Are they stock? I will post some pictures. I thought it was b/c you didn't have the vortec intake but I see that we have the same 8 bolt intakes.
Scott
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 318
Likes: 3
From: NP Nebraska
Are you running a Qjet? I was thinking about playing with a Holley and a couple of Edelbrock carbs (I don't have any alliance, just for my own education and S&Gs) I have but I guess not, especially if they need an adapter.
Last edited by myko; Dec 8, 2011 at 05:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 318
Likes: 3
From: NP Nebraska
Did you have to modify the linkage I am point to in your pic? As you can see from the pics from my old engine it runs to a vacuum drum that, as far as I can tell, never had any effect on the throttle. Although that likely means that mine isn't adjusted correctly, I don't really see the purpose.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
can you tell me more about your setup? mine ran 13.16 its a 350 bored 60 over with flat tops a small cam stock brand new vortecs with the eps intake 750 edelbrock its a 4 speed car it takes off slow at the track ii guess cause of the 3.36 gears. what gear are u running?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I hope so. The 2101 has heights of 3.5" and 4.6" listed http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_...ormer-sb.shtml while the 2116 vortec intake is listed at 3.87" and 5.28" rise.
Are you running a Qjet? I was thinking about playing with a Holley and a couple of Edelbrock carbs (I don't have any alliance, just for my own education and S&Gs) I have but I guess not, especially if they need an adapter.
Are you running a Qjet? I was thinking about playing with a Holley and a couple of Edelbrock carbs (I don't have any alliance, just for my own education and S&Gs) I have but I guess not, especially if they need an adapter.
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 787
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Did you have to modify the linkage I am point to in your pic? As you can see from the pics from my old engine it runs to a vacuum drum that, as far as I can tell, never had any effect on the throttle. Although that likely means that mine isn't adjusted correctly, I don't really see the purpose.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 787
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
greg - If your question here is for me, click on the BKbroiler name in my avator and you can see my profile with all the info. (I don't want to hijack this thread.) You can PM me with any questions.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 318
Likes: 3
From: NP Nebraska
Your green arrow is pointing at the trans detent (downshift) cable in my picture. The cable on yours coming from that canister next to the distributor is related to your cruise control, I believe. My car doesn't have cruise. The trans cable should work fine on yours using the original bracket, which attaches to the back two bolts on the carb. I had a Performer (8 bolt Vortec type) manifold on mine previously.
As you can see on this pic, the bracket for that diaphragm has two holes that fit in the top of the intake and one that fits on the back side of the drivers side head. B/c the vortec heads/intakes have 8 bolts instead of 12 the bolt spacing is different. How did you attach this bracket? Should I just cut one of the bolt holes off the bracket?
Last edited by myko; Dec 9, 2011 at 07:58 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 787
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
I don't know if the bolt spacing is different or is it just that the 2 middle bolts on each side are eliminated and the remaining bolts are verticle rather than on an angle? Anyway, your question reminded me that I modified the bracket for the trans cable by cutting it and bending the bottom tab so when bolted in, the cable support point is in the same location as stock.
