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Tuning The 350 FAQs (basic tuning for dummies)

hi pinion

hi pinion

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Okay , my 74 needs tuning,

The motors been re built, it sounds like it has a cam , (350), i can tell its been rebuilt too, just by the sound.....

From Desert Rat himself....

"The engine is in good condition, rebuilt 350 with mild cam, Edelbrock carb, Weiand intake, headers, MSD ignition. "

Now,,,:D

As far as the condition of the carb, i havent a clue,,,, it was on there when i bought it. EDELBROCK is all i know....

DR says it has MSD ignition, i cant find a box like the mallory has anywhere, but its got NO coil wire i can see,,,,so what kind of ignition is it then? :confused:

MY QUESTION IS

What should i do with the thing? What are the steps to go through to make it run killer? Its sumbling a bit, and isnt running right.Should i rebuild the carb? Or try to clean it up and tune it up first? If so, how do i start from ground zero? Like , im a NEWB MAN!:haha: HELP!

Go through the steps please..... its a mild motor, not to radical at all.Vac advance? WTF is vacum advance man? What is it, should i check it, or what?Is it like muff? :haha: :D

I have a pair of channel locks, and a screwdriver

GO!:haha:
 
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HERES A PIC

to "clear things up" for you :rolleyes: :haha:

Enginebay1.jpg
 
the 14bolt axle is shaved for clearance. A great mod.
The best mod for performance: Shave the Muff!

My motor sounds almost identical to yours, but does a little worse that sputters. A boy is coming out tomorrow with a holley we are going to try out and see if its just carb issues :bow: Thank you Havoc Off Road :waytogo:
thanks,
James
 
78Suburban said:
the 14bolt axle is shaved for clearance. A great mod.
The best mod for performance: Shave the Muff!

My motor sounds almost identical to yours, but does a little worse that sputters. A boy is coming out tomorrow with a holley we are going to try out and see if its just carb issues :bow: Thank you Havoc Off Road :waytogo:
thanks,
James
Click to expand...

Thats good for you! :haha:


So you got nothing.........:haha:
 
1. There is no way on the face of this earth that anyone can tell if an engine is a rebuild or original just by listening, because the two don't make a different sound.

However, you do have a rebuilt engine since it does have a cam in it along with all the other performance stuff that is usually associated with a mild build. It doesn't hurt that the PO said it was rebuilt too.

2. It sounded fine to me. Like I said the day we moved it, it did not sound like it needed much of anything. It revved up good with quick throttle response and had a good idle to it. I see no reason to do anything else to it. I would check the timing at idle, set it at or around 12*, it's probably already around that, and drive the thing. It's a little cold blooded but that is a carbed motor for you, that is just a characteristic of not having a computer monitoring the engine.

Oh, and it probably has HEI, where everything is under the distributer cap. I would guess there is an MSD ignition coil in, I put a Pro Form in mine but I don't think they really do much over stock anyway. HEI is pretty powerfull stock.
 
do you have a timing light? You disconnect your distributor's vaccume advance, and plug that port at the carb. Clip the timing tab to #1 plug wire. See what she's timed at. I would start with timing, before you blame the carb.
thanks,
James
 
rjfguitar said:
1. There is no way on the face of this earth that anyone can tell if an engine is a rebuild or original just by listening, because the two don't make a different sound.

However, you do have a rebuilt engine since it does have a cam on it along with all the other performance stuff that is usually associated with a mild build. It doesn't hurt that the PO said it was rebuilt too.
Click to expand...

No no no, you can tell just by listening its not tired and weak, like its more fresh, than weak and tired.You can tell to a certain extent. It sounds "fresh".
 
rjfguitar said:
1.

2. It sounded fine to me. Like I said the day we moved it, it did not sound like it needed much of anything. It revved up good with quick throttle response and had a good idle to it. I see no reason to do anything else to it. I would check the timing at idle, set it at or around 12*, it's probably already around that, and drive the thing. It's a little cold blooded but that is a carbed motor for you, that is just a characteristic of not having a computer monitoring the engine.

Oh, and it probably has HEI, where everything is under the distributer cap. I would guess there is an MSD ignition coil in, I put a Pro Form in mine but I don't think they really do much over stock anyway. HEI is pretty powerfull stock.
Click to expand...

When you drive it, its not the same, it needs tuning man, just to fine tune it in, i was with DR , and we drove it all around, you can tell its off a little!.
 
Does anyone have a LIST i can go by? 1234.......

Like start again going over everything, timing etc?

Also what should of projectile/ weapon should i use to smash my delbrock carb up with?:haha: Because some say its junk and its garbage, and just pour gas down the intake with a spray bottle and id be better off! :haha:

I cant afoord MPFI right now though! :D
 
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It is a lot like muff...

suck, squeeze, bang, blow, all at the right times and she's purring like a kitten. :wink1:
 
Ryan B. said:
It is a lot like muff...

suck, squeeze, bang, blow, all at the right times and she's purring like a kitten. :wink1:
Click to expand...

Its another reason why i haven officially joined the NCOR at all man, everyone there ive seen is from here, and is already burnt out on my questions,,,,

As i was in the lounge for 3 years figuring out a game plan.I finally found a truck, and got in a direction. :D
 
Try buying a metering rod kit for your edelbrock. Try the next size down of metering rod. Also you could adjust your accelorator pump. I've had to do that to all of my edelbrocks I've owned. Even my brand new one. Try putting it (your accelorator pump) on the lowest setting to get rid of stumbling and bogging down up acceleration. Also, see about getting a K&N air cleaner that would be a great upgrade for your motor (or any motor).
 
Ryan B. said:
suck, squeeze, bang, blow, all at the right times and she's purring like a kitten. :wink1:
Click to expand...

That'll be $1 please.... :wink1:

Jake....

shoot me a pm tonight and I'll go over the tuneup basics with ya....
 
littlejimmythatcould said:
Try buying a metering rod kit for your edelbrock. Try the next size down of metering rod. Also you could adjust your accelorator pump. I've had to do that to all of my edelbrocks I've owned. Even my brand new one. Try putting it (your accelorator pump) on the lowest setting to get rid of stumbling and bogging down up acceleration. Also, see about getting a K&N air cleaner that would be a great upgrade for your motor (or any motor).
Click to expand...

Thanks, im gomma look into some off road floats if those are any good also.
 
kgillyk5 said:
I agree with 78 Sub, start from the MUFF end and work backwards.:D
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:D

Whell, Cannmore is the one who left the gate open to lounge man, blame him that the zoo aminals got out:haha:

The muff phase has passed, i guess you owe me one dont you! :haha: :D

Jake

Besides look at all the awesome tech it has in it so far:rolleyes: :rotfl:
 
Spend the bucks and take it to a shop with a diagnostic (Sun) machine and a tailpipe sniffer. That will pinpoint any deficiencies, such as weak ignition, low compression, or a carb out of whack.
Every Edelbrock I have fooled with has a low speed stumble, no matter what model it was. I say put a good rebuilt QJet on it,if the existing carb has any serious issues.
 
3 on the tree said:
Spend the bucks and take it to a shop with a diagnostic (Sun) machine and a tailpipe sniffer. That will pinpoint any deficiencies, such as weak ignition, low compression, or a carb out of whack.
Every Edelbrock I have fooled with has a low speed stumble, no matter what model it was. I say put a good rebuilt QJet on it,if the existing carb has any serious issues.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Thats what im hearing alot actually about the edelbrocks.:thinking:

The history/condition of the carb is unkown really, im gonna look at it today....

Jake
 
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