Just wanted to give y'all an update on my calibration of my engine after the most recent addition of DART IE heads, Jet-Hot Coated Hedman headers, rebuilt q-jet (Lars), and a fresh 2.5" dual exhaust.

I have it idling at 900rpm (albeit a bit cammy :D ) and it will idle in gear all day at 600-700rpm. That's with the engine warmed up.

Now I have to make the fast idle adjustments to get some more idle when the engine is cold.

The engine is getting about 16 degrees of base timing without advance. This is how it came from the last session at the tuner and I have it pretty close to their setting.

I took Lars' advice and swapped the distributor vacuum line to the front right corner of the carb. This ensures that I'm not adding to the base advance at idle (getting 0 vacuum reading at idle but the engine idles oh so nice and steady :D ) but as soon as I hit the gas, the advance starts to kick in and I get a real 'boost'. I'm guessing in the neighborhood of 40-44 total advance (assuming I'm getting 24-28 advance timing on top of my base timing).

I chased my fair share of calibration gremlins during the course of adjustments after the parts installation (I performed). Those gremlins include:

1) dead battery
2) broken temp sender (was getting 240-260 degree readings, replaced with mech gauge until replacement sender arrives from Zip)
3) loose/ill-fitting vacuum lines (added clamps where appropriate or just cut the ends off so they fit better, may call Dr Rebuild for a roll of their 'yellow stripe' vacuum hose)
4) incorrect base timing (retarded and then too much advance at distrib)
5) incorrect rocker nut adjustment - I finally adjusted with engine warm and running (got some oil on the headers but I finally have them where I want them)

Looking forward to some weekend cruising this Saturday!

Thanks for all of the great advice in support of this latest major project!


:seeya :chevy :cheers: :flag

 

Sounds like you did a great job. Isn't it great when your Vette runs and sounds good all of the time. Sounds like you're ready for the local car shows.

 

Don't ya just love it when a plan come together! :cool: :cheers: :yesnod:

 

Good idea on the cruise night!

I may take it over to a cruise on Sat night. Local Checkers (aka Ralley in other parts) has a cruise-in/night. Folks can either show their cars or cruise in and visit/talk cars.

Next up in no particular order:
1-The power steering pump, slave cylinder, hoses, etc.
2- rear cross-over brake line as well as front/rear brake hoses
3-front drive-shaft yoke and trans rear seal
4-Shock absorbers
5-Rear strut rod adjustment (camber)
6-Re-spray the Jet-Hot on my left header (warranty repair)
7-Add spacer to or bend the bracket on my tire carrier (it 'hangs' down about 1/2" too far)
8-New stereo receiver
9-Replace/rebend trans lines (I really hosed them bad with the header install)
10-and on.... and on.... and on....!!!

A work-in-progress FOREVER!!! :D

The interior will be my 'last big' project on this car so I'm saving it for last (or putting it off) until I have all of my mechanicals just where I want them (probably never!).

:seeya