this doesnt have to do with my formula because its computer controlled and fuel injected, however, hopefully u can still help me, on my 1971 Buick Skylark, its got a 350 and was originally a 2 barrel, now the previous owner installed an edelbrock 4 barrel (unsure of rating of it) but did not change manifolds, instead used some crumby adapter plate. At the time I have not yet changed the manifold or put a 2 barrel back on cuz i dont have either of the two. so for now should the timing be set at the degree measure on the sticker under the hood or should it be advanced, retarded or what? Because i can tell its not running right, it makes it run rich with out the real manifold, should i open the air on it a little more? It has a little ping and im sure it could be from the timing or from running rich. it only has 112k which isnt bad for a 71 but do the think the piston rings could be shot? any help would be great, thanks.

 

pic1

 

sorry, cant find engine pic, but its not a GS obviously

 

If it's mixture related, ping is usually from running lean, isn't it?

 

the plugs are black within a month or 2

 

I would guess that means the ping is from the timing. Try running 93 octane through it on one tank and see if the ping goes away.

 

should the timing be advanced or retarded? do u think its running rich from the timing or does the carb need to be swapped back to a 2 or use a 4 barrel manifold?

 

No, timing doesn't really "cause" running rich.

What *IS* the timing set at anyway?

 

Back the timing up a couple degrees to 'help' get rid of ping.

 

in order for anyone to answer the question we need to know what your timing is set at and how much total advance you have.also what carb you have? check to see if it is a 1406 if so they are a realy lean running carb you may need to do some jetting.

 

the timing stock is 15*, last i checked it was right around there, the problem isnt it running lean, its running rich, ill check tomorrow what kinda carb it is, where would it say? i think the answer to my problems is buy the 4 barrel manifold for my car

 

15 is right for that car as far as I know... buuuuut....

How do you know the balancer hasn't spun?

 

balancer? how do u check that?

 

to see what carb you got look on the front of it. it will be on the left lower front it should say 1406 or 1407 ect.. i believe you already know why its running as it is.my expeirence with adapter plates hasnt been good. put the correct intake manifold on it and you should be fine. i have one i could sell you, if you want but its spread bore and if your carb is square bore then it wouldnt help any.is your carb spead bore or square bore.also i would set the timing back around 12* to see if that will help you any and use high octane in it.as far as it running rich did you make sure your air cleaner is good and clean and the proper cfm rating for the carb?once you get the right manifold on it you can go from there.also i doubt your rings are shot however theres always a possibility of ring wash with a rich running engine.as far as the balancer being spun i would start with the small and move to the big.dont asume the balancer has spun untill you have taken care of the obvios reasons in which a engine will perform like it is.

 

its an edelbrock 1411, 750 cfm, thats a bit much i think for a stock buick 350, and its got a little *** air cleaner, so i guess i should get a bigger air cleaner setup too

 

yea. your right it is a bit big however you may be able to work the jets down a little. i would say if you change the intake manifold, air cleaner and jets you will have a good running engine with alot more power.

good luck

 

alright so tomorrow im gunna order the new intake manifold, it says 30-35 hp gain, dynoproven over stock 4 barrel with stock 4 barrel carb, so it should be a really nice gain over a 2 barrel with a 750 cfm carb, but maybe im just bein optimistic.......u think itll make it stop backfirin out the carb when its cold? and im gunna do all new plugs and wires, and a k&n xstream setup, basically give it a tune up, oil change and all, just to start from scratch.....now what it really needs is some nice cragars, headers and true dual exhaust

 

yes.. it will definatly have a good amount of power gain. if the timing is right then it also should stop backfiring.i would recomend a good carb cleaning as well..good luck