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If that car has 12 to 1 compression your not going to find gas at every corner for it. You may need to mill of some off the piston domes and may want a milder cam.
Big block vettes get warm inside anyway but this doesn't sound like what you really wanted. Still, it's a nice car.you could have alot of fun with it but I'm not sure it's the kind d of fun your looking for
Not having a problem with finding fuel, we have found lots of it so far. haha I may be wrong about the compression. I will be checking on that just so we know. Quik Trip has whatever it is we are fueling (recommended by PO) . I am loving the car just want to take good care of it.
When you're reading about "all" the issues regarding overheating, or anything for that matter, try and remember one thing.
The happy people, that have no issues,don't post
I'd suggest there are a LOT more people driving with minimal or no overheating issues than there are that are having those issues. You're psyching yourself out...
Lots of 11 and 12 to 1 motors arent, or get away with it due to overlap. If it isnt pinging leava it be. Keeping a drum of VP around to mix is fine. plus is smells good. Stock sounding vettes are boring yours has the look,..and sounds like power to back it up. Just have fun.
Make sure the seals around the radiator are in place- if the air doesn't go thru the radiator it can't cool things down. Does Oklahoma require a front license plate? I pulled the front plate and bracket off my 69 BB and killed the cooling problems.
Gas for 12 to 1 compression is going to be problematic. You either carry gas with you (PITA!), or find all the places you can get 103 octane (minimum) before you go and hope they have it and are open when you need it. Much easier to drop the compression than find gas. Been there done that. Another option, but not recommended is to back enough timing out it won't ping, but that kills the power. (What fun is that?)
Looking at your pictures, get a steel fuel line and get rid of the rubber line/plastic fuel filter as soon as you can. Lot's of Corvettes have died that way. One little leak and it's BBQ time. I have rubber lines on my 69 in 2 places- at the tank to frame line and from the frame to the fuel pump- and I look at them all the time for problems. Carrying a fire bottle around is not a bad idea either. Secure it where it's handy, but can't go bouncing around either.
I will tell him about the fuel line. I actually have noticed that with the hood up and sitting in the garage I smelled fuel. No evidence of leaking but after our washing machine flooded our house many years ago we do not do rubber lines on anything if we can avoid it He does not do much with the internet, other than find things to buy and equipment, when he gets a chance he plans to look at the threads. I will log him on and hope he does not find the forum ads on his own
Lots of 11 and 12 to 1 motors arent, or get away with it due to overlap. If it isnt pinging leava it be. Keeping a drum of VP around to mix is fine. plus is smells good. Stock sounding vettes are boring yours has the look,..and sounds like power to back it up. Just have fun.
Get a running vid of it!
I plan to do a vid, yes he loves the noise and it is growing on me. lol Not a boring car at all. I do not think it is pinging, he has always felt that it runs and sounds great! Near 40 years ago he owned several big blocks , nova , chevelle (none of them were beautiful but they did run like hell) Just to be clear I am definitely not trying to take the muscle out of "his" car I just want to protect it , as does he. Where should I post a Vid? I realize I started this in tech and thankfully I think we have determined I probably don't really have a tech issue at the moment, however all the info and suggestions are appreciated!
Last edited by Okiegirl2u; 09-02-2016 at 09:08 AM.
What's been done to the rear of the car? Those wheels look really deep.
Sorry, I am trying to learn the buttons on here to reply instead of repost Yes wheels deep, and wide tires. The previous owner that did the restoration put f
What octane fuel are you using? Stick shift or automatic? What RPM does it turn at freeway speeds?
I think octane is 87 Quik Trip non ethanol . Stick shift 4 speed, he says sometimes it feels like it should have 5th gear. Not sure if that is a good thing or bad thing 2500 RPM at around 60mph
Last edited by Okiegirl2u; 09-02-2016 at 08:44 PM.
Depending upon what your expecting, a 12 to 1 big block sounds like something you trailer to the drags. This isn't to say you can't drive it to the drags, but we get into practicality.
After that, we move into street ability. How "streetable" is a 550 hp 12 to 1 big block?
Nowhere near as streetable as a 600 hp supercharged LS3 while still getting a respectable 18 mpg pushing low 3:73's.
Dependability. Once again, only you can decide, but if my goal was cruising the streets I'd probably reconsider the power plant.
If your slow to decide, you still have 550 hp of knarly big block to bust loose the plaque and cholesterol building up on your arterial walls.....
Well as a fellow Okie, I cant wait to see it. Looks awesome. If you are close to Tulsa, bring it out to the next Tuesday Cruise in at 91st and Memorial!
I think octane is 87 Quik Trip non ethanol . Stick shift 4 speed, he says sometimes it feels like it should have 5th gear. Not sure if that is a good thing or bad thing 2500 RPM at around 60mph
What gas are you running in 'er?I run only 92 octane ETHANOL FREE gas...
IF you haven't had anyone check it since the "complete restoration"...verify cooling system components are all proper and working and coolant is correct mix....belts, hoses, thermostat..etc..All fluids from engine to rear differention for that matter.
Drive it sensibly but don't baby it.. and pay attention to it as you and the car get to know one another...Jim
2500 rpm at 60 is nothing late model cars can spoil us a little
A cammed up carbed car probably wont like cruising much under that rpm anyway every motor has its sweet spot get to know the car youll "feel it". Enjoy
Well as a fellow Okie, I cant wait to see it. Looks awesome. If you are close to Tulsa, bring it out to the next Tuesday Cruise in at 91st and Memorial!
Yes, we would love to do that, we are just a couple miles south of Glenpool. She is parked for now tho A date check shows the tires are way, way out of date. The wide back tires are not easily available . We have a couple of local tire stores we deal with hunting them, hoping it will not be too long.
Okie dokie! Sounds like I am wrong about the 12:1 then. We do not really know. I assume it is somewhat normal on these to take awhile to know what you have. It is like working a puzzle. The stories that come with the car probably change a little as they move to the next owner. The person we bought it from told us to use the non ethanol at QT. I really do not know what octane it is. He had it worked on locally and we took it by that shop on our way home with it. That mechanic was familiar with the car. We plan to take it to him when needed and hopefully learn more as time goes on. We just bought it last Monday, we do know she runs great, sounds great and even with ridiculously outdated tires, rides like a dream. Last but not least, looks great as well.
Last edited by Okiegirl2u; 09-04-2016 at 11:09 AM.
09-02-2016, 08:24 AM
things to buy and equipment, when he gets a chance he plans to look at the threads. I will log him on and hope he does not find the forum ads on his own 
A date check shows the tires are way, way out of date. The wide back tires are not easily available . We have a couple of local tire stores we deal with hunting them, hoping it will not be too long.