Iam getting ready to start my 350 carb. motor up for the first time is their anything I need to know what are the first things I should do and what should I set the timing at. Thanks Larry.

 

Timing depends on whether it's the computer controlled carb or not.

If it is, turn the motor by hand until the actual piston location (NOT necessarily the timing mark) is about 8° BTDC on the firing stroke. NOT the stroke where the exh valve is closing and the int valve is opening. That's the OTHER instance of #1 TDC; which is also the OTHER instance of #6 TDC (the cyl 4 cyls away in the firing order); which is also #6 firing. DO NOT rely on a bunch of "marks" and "tabs" and useless crap such as that; pay attention to THE ACTUAL PARTS. (pistons)

If it's not, subject to the same caveat about PARTS, set the engine to about 18° BTDC of #1 firing.

Then, put in the dist hold-down bolt and tighten it as tight as it can be but you can still turn the dist, and pull up as hard as you can on the dist shaft (rotor) while rotating it as hard as you can CCW, and turn the dist body until the teeth of the "starwheel" EXACTLY line up. Then turn the dist body about a tweeek CCW from there.

Then, fill the fuel bowls of the carb with gasoline through the vents; fill the cooling system; put the valve covers on, put the air cleaner on, put the rad cap on, make sure the exhaust is hooked up, and so forth. In short, MAKE SURE that the VERY FIRST THING YOU CAN DO next, is back it down the driveway and drive around the block. No, "I just want to hear it run"; no, "I'm just going to fire it up"; no, "I'm just gonna check it for leaks" (n00b code for "I just wanna hear it run"). NONE OF THAT. You want it READY to go. Put the hood on, close the hood. Remember, you are GOOD at this; you have CONFIDENCE in your ability to RELIABLY build and install a motor. You are a FACTORY.

Pour about an ounce of gas into each side of the throttles. Set the throttles up on the choke fast-idle stop. Reach in the window and fire it up.