I just got an old chevy and am having fits getting it right. The engine is original but seemingly professionaly rebuilt but definitly has a cam too big for it. I just threw the old q jet in the junk pile and installed a new 1406 600 cfm edelbrock with the correct edel adapter ( 4 hole) for a spreadbore intake. The distributer appears new but I had to change the cap and rotor a few days ago after finding out the hard way the previous owner put the brush in on top of the rubber seal instead of under it. It shut off on the highway after burning the cap out. I can't use original timing specs thanks to the cam but I got it loping along pretty nicely at 550 rpm in gear 650 neutral with 12 deg timing. It hits 35 deg at about 2500 rpm and I think it is too soon but I have forgotten too much about non computer cars to be sure. Yesterday after the little car radiator exploded I put in a modine 4 row like it probably had in the first place for a 3/4 ton truck and I also put in new ac delco plugs ( r43t was the PN). Now strangly when I get on it from a stop up to highway speeds it is more sluggish than my mule out in the barn. It feels like a army duece and a half with a water tank behind going up the steepest mountain around. Almost gave me flashbacks. If I am cruising along at 50 or 60 and stomp it it will almost spin the tires with all the power it has. This one has about got me stumped. New fuel pump and filter, Didn't mess with the carb other than initial idle and mixture settings. Choke ain't stuck, park brake ain't on, none of the obvious stuff. Do y'all think this cam is just too big for a truck with an auto ( t400) trans or could it be something else?
Oh a couple other things it has a 180 thermostat and flex fan and according to the factory gage runs right at 180 in town and 190-195 on the highway. Lean maybe? Plugs were good looking, brownish light coating from the garbage gas here but not bad looking, We are at 3500 feet though. It also deisels just a bit when I shut it off hot and if it sets more than 10 minutes or so then it cranks 10 to 15 seconds before starting. in the mornings I just tap the gas to set the choke and it fires right up and goes. It doesn't ping and runs like a scalded dog once wound up just no low end whatsoever. The 75o holley I put on the wifes 455 runs fine at this altitude after I went down 5 jet sizes and reset every thing. It always starts right up and runs like it should. Am I missing something on this edelbrock maybe?
I am a mechanic, actualy computer technician, and it really bugs me I am getting whipped by something as basic as a 350 and a 4 barrel carb. I guess trying to keep up with all the modern stuff I really have forgotten a bunch from my younger days. If anyone has any advice to offer on this truck please let me know. I need it to pull the horse trailer soon. A big goos neck horse trailer. A better cam and and edelbrock intake are already planned when I get more money to throw at it. I can definitly use recommendations for a cam. Thinking about one of the extreme 4x4 cams maybe.