I finally had my 383 crate engine in and running. I went for a drive to start breaking the motor in and at first it ran a little rough off idle and stumbled a little bit in the mid range. After about a half hour everything really smoothed out and the car was running really strong. Anyhow after i did some shopping i was driving home the car just died on me in the middle of the highway. The ignition cut out completely and i coasted to the side of the road. I popped the hood open and after several attempts of cranking the engine over i had nothing. It turns out the distributor was completely loose. I did'nt find out until after my friend showed up with a new coil and whatever that module connected to the distributor is that the distributor was loose. I had replaced both parts and the car still would not restart, thats when it occured to me that the distributor was loose. I turned it by hand while my friend cranked the starter and it fired right up. It didn't run well but i was able to drive home. It was tight when i started driving and by the time i got home it was completely loose again. The clamp is one of those chrome pieces, i don't know why it keeps getting loose no matter how tight i leave it. I'm frustrated because the motor was running so strong and now this. anybody else have this problem? I'm having a hard time refiring the motor up to time it, i think the engine might be flooded. Is this possible with fuel injection? I have a first fuel setup on a 383. Any input appreciated.

 

anybody?

 

vEry easy quick tip for you about the shiny chrome distributor hold down clamps.THEY SUCK!!! I went through 3 of them only to realise they dont hold worth a damn and I kept tightening it and the bolt would pull through the clamp and the dist would be loose after 15 mins on the highway.I grabbed my crappy looking stock holddown..cleaned it up and sprayed it gloss silver..slapped it on..no more problem.The stock part isnt made of white metal.I was wondering why the guy at the go fast shop said the original part cost more and the chrome was really cheap for a reason..Glad im not the only one to go through this..I felt stupid lol after changing it in a few mins and beable to really enjoy the car again.

Whats the specs on your 383?

 

10.5 to 1 compression, profiler aluminum heads, first fuel intake with 24# injectors. Also came with tuned computer. dynoed at 384 hp and 486 ftlbs torque. Cam was comp cams high energy flat tappet 218 duration and 484 lift with 1.6 rockers.