I have just got my 383 built and we fired it up the other day. I can start it up pretty easily but i really have to rev it for a bit untill it warms up to hold an idle. Im using the edelbrock rpm roller cam and a holley 750 dp . Now when i give it gas it kindda studders but then tares a** after that. I also know after it is warmed up that if i go to start it again it is rough to get going. Its like the starter is almost dead. What do i need to set my timing at and do i need to tune the carb. I know the timing is only set to where it will run and the carb is just out of the box. The car wants to also die when i put it into drive the rpms drop and it sputters but if i tap the gas it stays alive. Where should i start with timing? and where should i start to tune it?

thanx Nick

 

ok, so starting from scratch with timing and carb eh?
what are the cam specs, as far as duration @.050?

I'd say give it 16* base timing, so with the motor warmed up, vacuum advance disconnected, give it 16*, below 800RPM idle. Then reset your idle screw for ~800RPM idle or so, and your idle mixture screws for most vacuum at idle. I think your base timing is way off right now.

Rev it up, and make sure you're getting ~34* timing at 4000RPM. Hook up vacuum advance to a ported source. That's a good place to start right there.

Then find out your vacuum level at idle, in gear, choose a PV based on that. Then drive it around and jet it as needed.

 

the cam specs are duration 234/238 .539/.548 lift

 

ok, that should work, maybe up to 20* initial for that cam. start lower if you can, you don't want the mechanical advance to take you too high, vortecs only like around 32* WOT timing.