1963 High-Strung Fuelie Engine Swap
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 270
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From: Montana
1963 High-Strung Fuelie Engine Swap
Hello Members,
My first post here ...
Back in 1990 I retrieved my original 1963 SWC from storage with the idea to refurbish the thing so as to be able to drive and enjoy it
.
This car always, from day one, had engine performance problems to the extent where it was very unreliable, etc., etc. As a result, I removed the original engine and tranny and replaced same with a custom-built SBC 406 with a FIRST Fuel Injection (Speed Density) system and a spanking-new T-10 tranny.
This 'new' engine was nothing but a bunch of problems ... it always ran very rich ... lotsa raw gasoline odors from the exhaust. I and others 'fiddeled' around with the motor to get it to perform like as advertised ... no luck ... engine builder provided zero help
... so parked the car for a better day.
Last April, the better day came ... I was determined to get the damn engine to work. After much investigation, I learned the engine had been built with the wrong cam ... insufficient vacuum ... the F.I. computer was dumping gasoline into the engine by a factor of nine times of what it was supposed to have.
I have replaced the cam with one that allows for correct vacuum pressure required by the F.I. ECM. Now, I'm reluctant to start the engine so as to 'break-in' the cam.
Why???
When I tore the engine apart to replace said cam, I did not 'mark' the precise position of the distributer 
:o .
So now I believe that if I start the engine, I'll trash the new cam .
Because I am not an engine building expert, how can I overcome my mistake?
. Any and all advice, councel and guidance will be greatly appreciated.
Best Regards,
Pete
My first post here ...
Back in 1990 I retrieved my original 1963 SWC from storage with the idea to refurbish the thing so as to be able to drive and enjoy it
.This car always, from day one, had engine performance problems to the extent where it was very unreliable, etc., etc. As a result, I removed the original engine and tranny and replaced same with a custom-built SBC 406 with a FIRST Fuel Injection (Speed Density) system and a spanking-new T-10 tranny.
This 'new' engine was nothing but a bunch of problems ... it always ran very rich ... lotsa raw gasoline odors from the exhaust. I and others 'fiddeled' around with the motor to get it to perform like as advertised ... no luck ... engine builder provided zero help
... so parked the car for a better day.Last April, the better day came ... I was determined to get the damn engine to work. After much investigation, I learned the engine had been built with the wrong cam ... insufficient vacuum ... the F.I. computer was dumping gasoline into the engine by a factor of nine times of what it was supposed to have.
I have replaced the cam with one that allows for correct vacuum pressure required by the F.I. ECM. Now, I'm reluctant to start the engine so as to 'break-in' the cam.
Why???When I tore the engine apart to replace said cam, I did not 'mark' the precise position of the distributer
:o .So now I believe that if I start the engine, I'll trash the new cam
.Because I am not an engine building expert, how can I overcome my mistake?
. Any and all advice, councel and guidance will be greatly appreciated.Best Regards,
Pete
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
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timeing
First thing I would is to look for 2 mags 1st chevyhigh performance oct. 06 Pg. 68 it willbe some help 2ed same mag. sep. 06 pg 50 on how to install a dist. look on web at chevyhiperformance.com Main thing to do is get eng. on TDC #1 comp pull #1 plug crank eng. by hand feel for air comming out of plug hole lin up crank and pointer for normal timeing setting line up oil dr. gear if nec. line up dist roter 1/8 turn clockwise install make shure it goes in all the way push and wiggle do not force to line up gears and oil pump spinn eng. over by hand and look at dist roter and cap for allighenment good luck
