85T/A

Hey Yall Get this I picked up a 4 bolt main block for my trans am and I put money into it but I didnt have alot of money. I bought all new bearings and a rotating assembly that was used with the block previously. When I went to throw it together one of the skirts was broken on one of the pistons. SOOOOO I ripped a set of pistons out of the Hecho en Mexico block I have and went to put them in. Only thing is -I- broke one of the skirts this time and a couple of those rods were damaged SOOOO I put four pistons and rods out of the one block in and 4 out of the other block in. Whats going to happen when i fire this puppy up? Ive got it built already I just need to make it to the advance auto to grab oil and Antifreeze....

85T/A

well I made it to advance autoparts yesterday and plan on firing the engine up today lol so who knows whats gonna happen, ill let you guys know..... personally i think its gonna fly apart

85T/A

I was Wrong Majorly Wrong. Thing doesnt even shake. Runs Fine. Needs a valve adjustment I just cant seem to get them right though. And What should I time it at exactly. I have the cam 8 degrees advanced off the crank gear. but other than that what should I time it at?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

8 degrees andvanced on the cam? Why so much? Hopefully that's rocker arm noise you're hearing and not piston to valve noise.

What induction are you using, carb, computer carb, what?

85T/A

maybe I was wrong . But the crank gear had three notches. i for retarding the timing one for strait up and one for advanced Timing. I put it on the advanced timing part, and I thoguth it was 8 degree i could be wrong. maybe it was 4 or 2 I cant remember now.

Also Im using a 600 cfm Edelbrock Carb Electric Choke.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

They are typically zero, 4 adv, and 4 ret.

Set the initial timing (at idle, vacuum advance disconnected) at 8-12 degrees.

The easiest way to set the rockers is to have the engine warmed up. Remove the valve cover from one side, start up the engine and let it idle. Loosen the rocker until it clacks, then tighten it until it stops. Then give it one more turn down (you'll have to turn it down slowly to let it adjust as you go). Then move on to the next valve and do the same. When you get those eight done, put that valve cover back on, and go over to the other side and do the same thing.

85T/A

Ive got the Rockers adjusted I just needed to do it without any distractions. Now for the timing Hows cutting it in the middle and setting it at 10 degrees? And then what Am I looking for once I connect the vaccum again.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

You said you couldn't get the valves adjusted right, that's why I went through the steps.

10 would be a good starting point. If you have the vacuum advance hooked up to manifold vacuum, it should jump up 15-20 degrees at idle and drop off when you hit the throttle. If you have hooked up to what they call timed or ported vacuum, it should stay put at idle, then jump up when you open the throttle off idle.

The "best" way to set timing is the total mechanical, but you need either a dial-back timing light, degree'd damper, or timing tape so you can set it to about 36 degrees total (with vacuum advance disconnected).

85T/A

So IF IM understanding you correctly I should have it hooked up to the timed port off of the front of my Carb. Because I mean I want it to advance more at High RPM correct so hooking it up to the intake port wouldnt do me any justice would it?

85T/A

Am I correct?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Not exactly.

All the connection affects is the vacuum advance at idle. With full manifold vacuum, you'll have full vacuum advance at idle. With timed or ported vacuum, you won't have any vacuum advance at idle, but it will come in with the throttle slightly open and after that act just like manifold vacuum. Both ports are on the carb, by the way.

Ported vacuum advance was an emissions control thing.

85T/A

Okie Dokie Thank yeh much for all the Help five seven . BTW 57 chevy belair= dreamcar.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Been livin' the dream for 38 years now. In their current forms, the '57 is easier to race, but the Camaro is more fun to drive.

85T/A

hey question...im gettin bubbling in the recovery tank..antifreeze is a bit foamy..headgaskets have about 2 hours running time..what do you think it is?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Head gasket or cracked head.

85T/A

alright bud thanks