"350HD CALIF" .60 gap?

[MrSchaeferPants]

So I did notice a while back my air filter housing has tune up info with some strange numbers, like 2 degrees for timing, and a .60 spark plug gap.

AFAIK it's never had a .60 gap, as I know the two previous owners. I put the plugs in at .45 when I got it all back together since that's what they were before. It did run ok beforehand, minus my lifter issue, and tapa tapa tapa...

So after my cam/lifter installation, it's been running like crap, there's no power, rich, hard to start, hot or cold. Could be a myriad of things, float level (as I did rebiuld the carb, but it was fine before) dist I know needs some work.

But I'm going to try the specified .60 gap. As it says on the air filter housing, and my book does say 350HD CALIF .60 gap, all others being .45.

Dunno if this is a question, but I would like some input. Couldn't hurt to try.

Doing a compression test as well, spark plugs look good so far, beer run got in the way after starting and stopping on #1

 

[78Chev]

was there a legit question in all that? or was it meaning should your rig be at a .60 gap vs a .45 gap?

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

was there a legit question in all that? or was it meaning should your rig be at a .60 gap vs a .45 gap?

I'm not even sure, I think I was just frustrated and wanted to vent.

I set it all to .60 and I average 110 on my compression.

Those things aside I think all of my issues are carburetor related, perhaps float. No power, fuel comming out of secondaries, like up out of the carb.

I had 11/32, changed to 1/4, worse I think. Hard to figure out what my settings should be, as it's 7045583. 75, checker/marine, calif, The numbers don't match up to "77 GMC Jimmy". According to my rebuild kit papers.

Only reason I should have spray out of my secondaries is because float? Or what about fuel pump pressure? They should not allow any fuel past the needle unless that upper plate moves.

Guess I'll go 13/32 (instead of 11/32), which would put the float lower, cutting off fuel.


Yes, I do believe I'm still just rambling. We all need to sometimes. Today's one of those days.... I just want my rig running better.

 

[4X4HIGH]

My bet is for timing chain a tooth or so off when you installed it, that would account for all of your issues about lack of power and hard to start.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

My bet is for timing chain a tooth or so off when you installed it, that would account for all of your issues about lack of power and hard to start.

I wouldn't disregard the possibility. But I did pay special attention to that and rotated the engine around a few times to double check before I put it back together. Oh and hard to start issue is gone. It starts great warmed up and cold. I was an idiot and in the cold mornings, forgetting to hit the pedal to release the choke plate back to fully closed. (Hey I was driving a FI vehicle for a few weeks, didn't have to do that ) I realised that one morning when I opened the hood to tinker with it and noticed the plate was a bit open, and couldn't push it closed with my finger, then moved the throttle by hand and saw it close.

I set the float to 13/32. I think it's lacking fuel now. The issues with spray coming from the secondaries out of the top of the carb I think is poor troubleshooting. Our original idea was the float was too high, causing all the issues. I'll be putting it back to 11/32. My neighbor was helping with that, and hes a weathered mechanic, (albeit diesel, semi) and I respect his knowledge but he was checking by bliping the throttle in park, in the driveway. There's no way the engine will rev that quickly driving. And besides, everything I read always said 'under load'. I can see why.

HOWEVER, I am geting fuel spray driving as well, I see it on the inside of my filter housing.

I think I have distributor issues as well. Centrifugal advance I believe is having issues. A week or so ago while I was playing with the timing, I couldn't get it past 20, that's with initial/base being at 12. I checked with a dial back light, had it revved around 3k, maybe more. (My dwell meter only goes to 2500rpm)

I just wish I knew more. I've learned a lot with these trucks, but I guess it's not nearly enough.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

Set the float back to where I believe it should be. But to close this post up.

Honestly, I think it's good. I believe the secondaries are opening, and without the bog (since the rebuild) I couldn't tell the difference.

And as far as having no balls. If CUCVs have 3.08s, it'd be the highest geared rig I've ever owned, it's always been 3.73 or 4.11s.

I did get pretty damn good gas milage when I went out camping.

Starts great, idles smooth, cruises nice... guess I can't complain.

I'm happy I'm done tinkering.. and still kinda sad at the same time