Thread: Engine startup after "rebuid" = RED hot exhaust - need advice please

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Need help!!


Facts:
SBC 355
Was running last fall, did a cam swap
new water pump
Timing at startup = 6 degrees (at 2000 rpm, with vac line hooked up)
Rams horn 2" exhaust - 2 into one exhaust
HEI has light spring kit in it
Holley 750 carb with #69 Jets (plan to switch to Qjet later this winter)

OK, so 5 minutes into my 20 minute cam breakin, the crossover pipe gets RED hot. I mean fire poker red hot. No muffler right now. It all sounded good, running it at 2000rpm and engine at 150F up until I shut it down. All cylinders are firing. 6 degrees advance (did not get the chance to up it to 10 degrees). Dual plane intake. Voodoo #2 cam (second up from the smallest voodoo made for the SBC). Aluminum Holley heads, with springs (and lifters) to match the cam per Lunati recommendation. I adjusted the lifters preload VERY carefully (3 times, only doing one valve at a time, 1/2 turn past initial contact). Good oil pressure. Coolant not circulated yet since engine not up to temp yet.

I can only think I am running rich, but there must be more. Maybe no coolant in heads caused this (BAD, right)? But without the temp up to 180, no tstat opening yet.

Ideas? I don't want to damage anything, but have 15 more minutes at 2000rpm to get the cam broken in before I move on.