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I have just completed a rebuild of a 1970 Chevy Caprice.
454.
bored, balanced, new pistons, new cam, new exhaust valves seats and seals, valve springs, headers....
I started the engine for the first time today.
After only a few minutes, the header tube for #3 cylinder started getting cherry red.
The engine runs smoothly and doesn't backfire.
What the heck did I do?????
Please help me.
Budly,
It sounds to me like you engine is running lean. Have you tried enriching the fuel mixture at the Carb? I know that glowing header pipes is supposedly a tell-tale sign of a lean mixture. This can also be caused by bad gas...Since you're just putting the rebuilt engine into the car, my question is, has the car been sitting for a while? (not running?) And has the gas been sitting for a while too? This just happened to my '55 about 3 weeks ago. The fuel had schlacked so bad that it caused the carb to gum up and start running lean. That caused my number 3 header pipe to glow red hot, and I found out later that it also burnt the header gasket at the number 8 cylinder. Anyway, thats my suggestion. Lots a luck.
Firechicken
Had this problem on a 350 sbc. I had adjusted the rocker arm nut too tight. I went a half of turn after I could feel no play in the pushrod. Talked to my neighbor who runs a bbc in his stock car. He said never go over a quarter turn. The valve was being held open. Readjusted the roccker arms and the problem went away.
I also heard the lean theory but that wasn't the case on mine although it does happen like Firechicken said.
Thanks for the respones.... :)
It actually turns out to be both carb and lifter.
I had the rocker arms way too tight.
Changed them all to 1/4 turn and they are fine now.
I had always adjusted them the Old School way
while the engine was running in my younger days.
I also know that my carb is running a bit lean but
that's easy to fix with a pair of screwdrivers.
This engine is in a 1970 Chevy Caprice Classic Sport Coup.
73k original miles. 454 (30 over now :) )
I've had her on jackstands for 3 years and just now
finished with the rebuild.
Although I switched to headers, I am trying to keep it
somewhat stock looking from the outside.
You can't see most of what's been done.
New: Keith Black pistons, GM Performance cam and lifters,
new timing set, oil pump, water pump (GM cast from YR1),
p/s pump, full length ceramic coated headers.
block magnafluxed, bored 30 over, fully balanced.
I'll have her road worthy by the weekend **) .
Thanks for the help.
BudlyUSA
Glad you got it all sorted out!:)
Cheers,
Firechicken
Glad you got her going. Club Hot Rod has helped me alot with my project so keep visiting this site.
Toolow:3dSMILE: :3dSMILE: :3dSMILE: