carb issues (vacuum ports & linkage)

[Archangel]

I think I have the remote choke then, there is a square-ish port in the intake right next to teh carb where that thing might fit just right. But as I said, all of the linkage has bee removed already, so even the rod inside the carb that actuates the choke flapper is missing. I'll look for a truck with a Q-Jet carb at the junkyard next time I go there, might harvest it for the learning experience.

Side question - when adjusting timing on this engine, what numbers am I shooting for (with the vac advance unplugged)? A guy over at FSC suggested the funky noises I hear might be detonation, so I wanna rule that one out before I tear the engine down.

[gadget73]

I think Chevys run 8-10 degrees BTDC.

[Archangel]

Thanks, will start there tomorrow. On a side note I am on the hunt for a good used crank and rods, my buddy and I will use my truck as a practice vehicle before we start working on his Mustang.

Although I'm kinda bored, and have some space in my apartment, so I may just pull the engine this weekend and put it on a stand in the corner of the living room to work on it little by little - it'll only take like 6sq feet, and if I am careful it won't even be messy... after all it is mostly bolt off - bolt on work replacing the bottom end parts. Question here - can I pull an engine by just strapping the chains under the headers pipes (all four of them at once, one chain per side)?

[turbo2256b]

Thanks, will start there tomorrow. On a side note I am on the hunt for a good used crank and rods, my buddy and I will use my truck as a practice vehicle before we start working on his Mustang.

Although I'm kinda bored, and have some space in my apartment, so I may just pull the engine this weekend and put it on a stand in the corner of the living room to work on it little by little - it'll only take like 6sq feet, and if I am careful it won't even be messy... after all it is mostly bolt off - bolt on work replacing the bottom end parts. Question here - can I pull an engine by just strapping the chains under the headers pipes (all four of them at once, one chain per side)?

Crank and rods for the truck or the Mustang. Have crank and rods for a 5.0 new or old ballance

[Archangel]

Crank and rods for the truck or the Mustang. Have crank and rods for a 5.0 new or old ballance

Hold on to the truck parts for now, I might need them soon. The Mustang stuff, well we need to get the damn car first, since the last one he bought was confiscated by his younger brother IIRC.

[gadget73]

I wouldn't bother with used crank and rods for a chevy. Usually they don't get damaged to the point where replacement is needed, besides a crank kit with matching bearings and all is not that expensive. I think I was quoted about $150 for a turned crank and all the bottom end bearings for my 302. Chevy stuff should be comparable in price. Chances are probably fair that if you get a used one, it will be no better than what you have. Mic it out first before buying new stuff.

[Archangel]

Oh, hell no I ain't buying parts for it before I know what's wrong with it. I actually worked some on it today after work, now the tranny is completely disconnected from the frame, headers are free from the rest of the exhaust, sparkplugs wires are removed, engine wiring is disconnected too. Tomorrow I'm dropping the driveshaft and draining the radiator, the engine oil and maybe the tranny too. So hopefully Saturday I'll be able to get that sucker out of the truck and in my living room

Any ideas where I can find a tailshaft plug for the TH350 tranny?

[gadget73]

I'm sure summit or something sells them, could also just seperate the U joint and just stick the end of the driveshaft into the tail of the trans and secure it with duct tape or something.

[Archangel]

Well I decided on leaving the tranny in place and pulling only the block - will make it easier to maneuver around, and also saves me the hassle of draining the tranny and messing with the drive shaft. It's not happening this weekend tho, gotta wait till my friend with the cherry picker comes back from NY.

Got some new pics for you guys to ponder upon: see those cyilinder-things I've circled in bright green (lifters?), notice how some of them are sticking out higher than others - aren't these supposed to be flush with the surface, or eat least sticking out equally? Never seen anything like that, what do I do with them?

[gadget73]

Rotate the engine, and you'll see them move. They're just on different points of the cam lobes.

[Archangel]

Rotate the engine, and you'll see them move. They're just on different points of the cam lobes.

OK, so those are indeed the lifters, and not some guides for them pressed in the block - good then, will make me sleep better tonight

[gadget73]

Yep, standard flat tappet lifters. Make sure you re-install them in the same spot if you pull them. They wear specific to the cam lobe and switching them around can potentially destroy the cam and/or lifter.