67 Dart 270...Project Old School
I managed to get the engine back together and fired up. I did fire it up previously with open headers for 30 seconds to confirm the distributor was in correctly. I had to remember to tie IGN1 and IGN2 together to get the HEI working. So far I have made it to the end of the driveway just checking for leaks. Does anyone have suggestions on how to get the thermostat housing to not leak? I have changed the gasket several times and even put sealer on the bolt threads.
So basically I went from this:
Cleaned up and with electronic conversion (ignition and volatge regulator)to this:
To this (Magnum heads, GM style HEI, one wire alternator):
I used plug wires for a 5.0L Ferd to get the correct ends on the wires for the HEI cap. I need to get some plug wire looms.
Getting the big HEI distributor to fit wasn't easy but was worth the effort. I had to slot the transmission mount and the motor mounts to be able to slide the engine forward 1/2". Everything still clears nicely, even where the drag link goes through the headers.
I was really surprised when I got the engine fired up and finally got a timing light on it. I was worried I would not have enough timing and kept cranking in more timing as I was trying to start it. When I got the timing light on it, I had to dial back the light to 65 degrees to get the mark back to zero. I then pulled the vacuum line and I set the initial timing to 16 degrees. I also had to crank up the idle speed a tad to get it to idle in Park. Now I need to fiddle with the carb to work with the bigger cam.
I plan to take it to the track in the next week or so to see if all these latest changes actually make any more power.
I managed to get the engine back together and fired up. I did fire it up previously with open headers for 30 seconds to confirm the distributor was in correctly. I had to remember to tie IGN1 and IGN2 together to get the HEI working. So far I have made it to the end of the driveway just checking for leaks. Does anyone have suggestions on how to get the thermostat housing to not leak? I have changed the gasket several times and even put sealer on the bolt threads.
So basically I went from this:
Cleaned up and with electronic conversion (ignition and volatge regulator)to this:
To this (Magnum heads, GM style HEI, one wire alternator):
I used plug wires for a 5.0L Ferd to get the correct ends on the wires for the HEI cap. I need to get some plug wire looms.
Getting the big HEI distributor to fit wasn't easy but was worth the effort. I had to slot the transmission mount and the motor mounts to be able to slide the engine forward 1/2". Everything still clears nicely, even where the drag link goes through the headers.
I was really surprised when I got the engine fired up and finally got a timing light on it. I was worried I would not have enough timing and kept cranking in more timing as I was trying to start it. When I got the timing light on it, I had to dial back the light to 65 degrees to get the mark back to zero. I then pulled the vacuum line and I set the initial timing to 16 degrees. I also had to crank up the idle speed a tad to get it to idle in Park. Now I need to fiddle with the carb to work with the bigger cam.
I plan to take it to the track in the next week or so to see if all these latest changes actually make any more power.