Freddie's Transplant

[MacDee]

Most people say to get your timing down before you even start to mess with air/fuel (carbs in our case) and it sounds like you have that down.

Yeah, since "factory specs" doesn't mean anything with this engine, I use the vacuum gauge method: Set the timing at idle (set as low as possible) so you just get maximum vacuum, then back off the timing until the vacuum drops 2 in Hg. When I do this, it usually comes out about 12 deg BTDC (though it's kinda hard to check now with the multi-spark Street Fire ignition!).

[Luva65wagon]

Gary,

With what time you've driven and run this - have you read the plugs yet? Wet, black, tan, white?

[SmithKid]

Like Kenny, depending on availability, I'm always up for tech days. One of the best way to learn.

[Luva65wagon]

Like Kenny, depending on availability, I'm always up for tech days. one of the best way to learn.

Agreed - just need to post a thread with some dates in the announcements section and we can decide on when. We can only fit so many under one hood - but maybe more heads are better with this one.

[MacDee]

With what time you've driven and run this - have you read the plugs yet? Wet, black, tan, white?

I've had the plugs out, but I couldn't seem to "read" anything! They're... ambiguous? It's been a while, though. Perhaps I can go out tonight and pull a couple.

[falcon cobra]

So what does that mean?? they are either white, tan or black. I have never seen a plug that color....jh

[Luva65wagon]

You've never seen the color ambiguous?

Gary - would be worth pulling them all and heck - maybe even shoot a picture of them in good light and posting it.

When I first got the Flarechero running, Gene and I were out in the garage, but it was dead of Winter and I only opened my little side-door. Man we were choked out with fumes like we were next to a nitro funny car. OK, not that bad, but almost. The plugs were wet and black - meaning I was running real rich. Turned out to be the carb was totally messed up, but reading the plugs showed me that. White means the thing is running very lean. Like seeing new plugs. It's probably run long enough that some may be going tan - which is ideal. If you plugs are real new, they may be only wet if running real rich, but it doesn't take long for plugs to get written all over.

I hate Holleys when it comes to tuning them. A Carter/Edelbrock with the removable needles made this a breeze to play with. I have the kit - as well as a carb laying around that I pulled off the black truck. It needs to be opened up and looked at (which is why it got replaced when I got stranded in Des Moines with it. New carb was cheaper than the hassle of a tow... almost). If you want to try it - we could bring it to the tech day. That'll give me a chance to do a little autopsy on it first. It had just been rebuilt, but these things are too big to dunk in a gallon can of carb cleaner and I only did it with a spray-can of Berrymans.

[SmithKid]

Hope I'm not out of line here, but I was taught that plug readings should only be taken shortly after normal conditions, unless extreme out of tune conditions exist (i.e. - even to the point of pulling to the side of the road or a rest stop?). Reason. Just running in the driveway or something similar will "color" your readings. I believe normal operating temperature is required. But maybe this just applies in racing or extreme conditions? Discussion? Differing opinions?

[pbrown]

Don't forget that I have a handheld wide band O2 meter and Freddy does have a O2 bung in place for this. I'll tag along depending on date.

[SmithKid]

I guess I'm only saying that unless you find an extreme reading on the plugs (sooty, wet, or scorched), this technique is usually more for fine-tuning.

[Luva65wagon]

Yes Gene you are technically correct. In a situation where you are grasping at straws, (and since Gary can drive it I think) it should be something we can have him do just to get an idea of what might be going on.

And yes, I think it needs to be a day when Patrick can come with his reader.

So Gary - set up a few days that work for you and we'll see what days are best for those of us who might want to poke our head under your hood.

[MacDee]

Gary can drive it I think

Yeah, she actually runs pretty good now. Just sputters a bunch when I toe the throttle.

So Gary - set up a few days that work for you and we'll see what days are best for those of us who might want to poke our head under your hood.

I'll try to come up with some dates to choose from, and pull the plugs tonight to get a photo to post.

[MacDee]

I'll try to come up with some dates to choose from, and pull the plugs tonight to get a photo to post.

Well, I'll need to pull the plugs tomorrow night.... Steppin' out tonight!

Can do any weekend day starting March 24.

[MacDee]

I took the plugs out and got some pics. They're black. Running rich?

I started her up, got her warmed up and checked the vacuum at idle in gear. Right at 10" Hg. The Bulletin states I should use a power valve rated about 2" below that, about 8" then...?

[Luva65wagon]

What plugs did you decide on for this? Gap?