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First start after heads, cam and headers install

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Old Feb 2, 2006 | 10:50 PM
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Default First start after heads, cam and headers install

I got it all bolted up, filled the oil and coolant and started 'er up tonight. I was pretty anxious. Doing all that stuff at once is a big job, and I was sure hoping I hadn't forgotten something. She started right up, but runs pretty crappy. When I started out, I was just doing an underdrive pulley and a cam (224/228 114+1), and I got a mail order tune for the cam from TSP. Once I had it apart I decided to go ahead with heads and headers.

I think it's running rich, does that sound right? I let it idle for a few minutes while I checked for leaks and parts flying off. I thought I had major exhaust leaks on both sides from the headers, but I think it was just oil and dust burning off. The smoke quit after a couple of minutes. I gave it a little gas, and it tried to die. It recovered and then accelerated to about 1500 RPM. I've got a tune scheduled on Monday, and I hope I can drive it there -- about 25 miles. Is there anything I can do in the meantime? You know, adjust the jets on the carburetor or something? I have a Hypertech handheld programmer, but I don't think it has much capability.
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Old Feb 2, 2006 | 11:34 PM
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Sounds like it is a tune problem. I'd recomend letting LG do your tune if you can make it that far. drive the car around the block a few times. It may just need to learn. Keep a close eye on the gauges just to be safe.

Shane
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Old Feb 3, 2006 | 12:03 PM
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ttt
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Old Feb 3, 2006 | 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Jim Taylor
I got it all bolted up, filled the oil and coolant and started 'er up tonight. I was pretty anxious. Doing all that stuff at once is a big job, and I was sure hoping I hadn't forgotten something. She started right up, but runs pretty crappy. When I started out, I was just doing an underdrive pulley and a cam (224/228 114+1), and I got a mail order tune for the cam from TSP. Once I had it apart I decided to go ahead with heads and headers.

I think it's running rich, does that sound right? I let it idle for a few minutes while I checked for leaks and parts flying off. I thought I had major exhaust leaks on both sides from the headers, but I think it was just oil and dust burning off. The smoke quit after a couple of minutes. I gave it a little gas, and it tried to die. It recovered and then accelerated to about 1500 RPM. I've got a tune scheduled on Monday, and I hope I can drive it there -- about 25 miles. Is there anything I can do in the meantime? You know, adjust the jets on the carburetor or something? I have a Hypertech handheld programmer, but I don't think it has much capability.
I think you definately need to ge it to a tuner. Depending how bad it is, you might even consider having it flat towed. If you are not 100% confident of your work, I would tow it to the shop and allow them to inspect it. There have been more than a few guys on here that have blown something up within the first few miles than I can count.


Be Safe

BTW, We do have jet or carbs in these cars..
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Old Feb 3, 2006 | 06:11 PM
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TTT for ya, GOOD LUCK
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Old Feb 3, 2006 | 06:14 PM
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It's all in the tune. The surging will go away after it's tuned. If you do drive it in the meantime it may go into "reduced engine power" mode. Just let 'er sit for a minute and it should fire back up
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