Hey guys. After months of careful work, and tons of help from this board, I finished my first engine build. The only original parts are the LG4 block (now bored .030 over) and the crank. It now sports new pistons, a comp cam, trickflow heads, etc..

I was amazed that it fired up so easily. The only obvious initial concern is the hot exhaust. One side is so hot, it immediately burned paint of the header and bubbled the paint on the red glasspack muffler. I've been told by one guy I need to adjust my valves because its burning too lean. Does that sound right? What other reasons could make it so hot, especially on one side? He loaned me a trick valve cover predrilled to expose rocker nuts so I can adjust it while running. I'm going to try it if you guys don't tell me different.

How exciting it was to hear the engine roar to life. Check out the pics. The exhaust is just for the test stand use. In the 86 IROC it will have SLP shortys and firehawk exhaust. Please give me some feedback. Thanks!





This is my 15 yr old gearhead son. We're having a big time doing this father son project.

 

It doesn't make much sense that the valve adjustment is causing the problem, but it won't hurt anything to adjust them with the modified valve cover.

By the way, neat test stand. . .

 

Thanks. Got it from Hotteststands.com. Any thoughts on what could cause the hot exhaust?

 

Vac leak maybe?

possibly the intake gasket is leaking on the one side...

That appears to be a stock q-jet on there, has it been tinkered with?


Just throwing some things up in the air...



And yea, that is one trick engine test stand you got there!