Finally started the 454 yesterday, its bored 30 over with oval open heads with 2.19/1.88 valves .250 domed pistons, compressions is around 10.5 :1.Comp cam with a .556 in. and .552 exh lift. performer dual plane intake with a demon 850 with electric choke and vacumn secondaries. Full msd 6al with pro billet distributor with vacumn advance. The timing was set to 32 degrees when it was running at 2000. I'm a rookie and was just wondering how to properly time the car and set up the carb. What should the idle rpm be around, it idles fine at about 1000, when I try to get around 700-800 it starts to stumble a little bit.Do I set the timing at idle , etc.I was told to gap the plugs at 35 with the msd setup but their instructions said 45 to 50????Also how do drive the car to properly set the rings. Thanks for any help!!!

Make sure you run the engine at 2000 RPM for 30 min to break in the cam... any lower rpm and you can damage it. As far as tuning the carb settings go I have found the best way is to put the car on a chassis dyno and then you'll be able to see the air/fuel ratio. In addition you can curve the distributor and fine tune the timing. I would expect to pay about $75 per hour, but believe me it is WELL worth the money. I picked up 67 REAR WHEEL Hp by dyno tuning my 383. Also make sure you are running a non-synthetic oil for break in and depending on tolerances a 20-50 or 15-40. I like Lucas 20-50 Race oil. Congrats on getting it together and good Luck,
Steve

Nice, another Rat on the streets of WNY!

COOL!

I always start at the 'back end' for timing. Disconnect the vacuum advance and using a dial-back light or a timng tape rev the engine up slowly until timing advance stops. Set that to, oh anywhere from 34-40 depending on engine. I'd start at 36 total. Then let the engine idle. See what the advance is now. This will be your inital setting. Then plug the vacuum adavnce back in, now you have your true baseline idle w/vacuum. THen you can start to tune the total advance by tweaking intial or initial/vacuum.

Too little gap won't hurt any. I run .043" with 10.5:1 and MSD. Better too little than too much imho.

Your setup is very similar to mine except mine is a 427 (.060). Cam is very similar but I am running a 750 Speed Demon. My idle circuit is running rich with initial timing at 14 degrees (no vaccum advance). It seems to like a lot of initial so I was going to try to set it for between 18~22 degrees initial when I recurve the distributor. Is anyone else running this much initial timing? If so any issues? Motor seems to start fine with more advance as well.

Ditto what Gene said. Either one of you guys heading out to a cruise this week?

I'm crazy busy and likely not. cromedss, I like 18 initial and +8 vacuum for like 25-6 or so.

thanks for all the replys, what should my idle be around.
And When do you start messing with the mixture screws.Also is their a procedure to set the rings, and when should I do my first oil change. Also which air cleaner will fit with a performer intake and stock hood. Thanks fro the help!!!

800-900. I set idle mix screws ( after timing/idle speed is set) by backing them out until it stumbles and then screw it back in 1/2-3/4 turn. Simple, but I've found that it matches the setting I get with a vacuum gauge.

I'd run that first oil only for maybe 1 hour run time. Some swap it out after the 20 minute breakin. I can't find the jugs of Pennz 15-40 I like at WalMArt anymore. :(

Don't worry about the rings. They are likely seated now, or will be once you start driving it.

Most hi rise intakes require a drop base air cleaner to fit a 3"X14" element.

Man, I wish I wast so swamped, I;d love to stop by and help.

Not a pro just back yard mechanic, but I basically do the same thing that Gene said. I set the timing, adjust idle, my 427 idles at about 950 in park, and then I set the idle mixture screws with the vacuum gauge adjusting the screws until I get the highest vacuum reading. As far as oil I've been running Pennzoil 20-50 with the new break in. So far the motor has about two hours on it. The first oil change was after the first 30 minutes of break in, and then I took the car out on the street for about 25 minutes, leaned on it a little bit and let the engine decelerate the car (It's supposed to help the rings seat). Back in the driveway changed the oil again. I'll be putting some more time on it this week and will change the oil again over the weekend. As far as the air cleaner I have what Gene mentioned, but I am also running the Weiand Stealth Manifold.

I hope this helps, like I said I am not a pro.

I appreciate all the help guys!!! Gene where are you in buffalo!! Also I'm gonna change the oil now also, anything I should look for in it, and what is normal to find in there!! Is 20-50 what I should run, and how long is the break-in period!! Then should i change to a different weight oil!! Sorry with all the questions but its my first time and alot of money spent!!Thanks again!