[David Host]

Well, I started my '69 chevelle 396BB for the first time this past Saturday. The last time it was running was in 1989 when I tore it all down for a frame off resto. I just had the motor rebuilt this last winter/spring and got it put on the frame in the summer and put the body on the frame too. I asked everybody on this planet what the proper way is to break in a new motor and 50% said one way and 50% said another way. Then I asked the machine shop that did my motor and they said to get it up to temp and then just drive it. When I started it, it wouldn't idle and just die, so my friend put his hand over the carb to act like a choke (BG carb with no choke plate). When it got up to temp it would idle rough and then we had to turn it off real quick, the headers were glowing red hot and looked like they were going to melt even with the jet-hot coating. I hope I didn't screw anything up. I took the BG carb off and took it to the engine rebuilder and they said they would bench test it. Is there anything I should do when I get the carb back and go to start the engine again or should I just drive it?.

 

[tom3]

Check timing as quickly as possible, if ok make a fast valve adjustment. Driving a new engine under these conditions is not good. Also sounds like a possible large vacuum leak, maybe at the carb base?

 

[amhpd17]

Sounds like a timing problem to me.

 

[TH]

The one time I had red hot glowing headers was because I had the distributor way off. I'd check there first.

You wanna hear something really funny? When the above incident occurred (180 degrees off) I thought I had the timing gear installed upside down...so I took it all apart all over again! All the way down to the chain! Live and learn.

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Tom H.
Member #259
Indianapolis,IN www.iquest.net/~bharold/chevelle/

 

[81ElCamino]

What about cam break in???? Did the shop do it? Or did many lobes get wiped off the cam?

Also, when I started ours, it needed WAY more timing advance than my baseline.

Dave

 

[Cam Sweet]

For added protection you might want to place a box fan in front of the car, or under the car at an angle to blow some air by those headers.

Cam

 

[Wes Colby]

David, I'd also agree that your total timing was way too far advanced. I did the glowing hedder trick and got an ear full from my engine builder after I told him about it...I remember him saying that when that happens, you run the risk of overheating the exhaust valves and they can sieze within the valve guide. Fortunately, we shut down the engine as soon as the hedders started to glow and no damage was done. Good luck and let us know what you find.

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'70 Malibu - 383 'Fog Fed' Stroker! Houston, Texas Gold Member #39
Chevellz Alwayz!

 

[David Host]

I just got my BG carb back from the engine builder and they adjusted everything, re-jet it and did something to the air bleeds. They sold me a timing tape and told me the timing should be set at 32deg. and said something about 3K rpm's, is that 32deg. at 3K or at idle?.