Newb needs help with engine sputtering

I agree and that is why I am thinking about forgetting this whole situation and dropping in a nice 350 crate motor.

 

I'm consitering 4.3ltr.

 

Have you had any luck with your motor? I got some good news on mine, the compression check was perfect. I was really worried about having something wrong internally. I hope to have it ready to hit the road today. Too bad it is 30 degrees outside.

 

Bought a carb rebuild kit. Still haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

Good luck with it. I hope you have easier time than I have.

 

So what did you find the timing set at to make it run fairly decent?

 

I have it advanced to about 7-8 degrees. I went and picked it up from my buddies shop tonight. It is running better than it ever has. I still wouldn't say it is perfect, but probably as good as I am ever going to get. It runs a lot stronger, and pulls good through every gear. I still have a back fire every now and again, which drives me crazy. Does anyone have a clue what I can do to fix this. It is really annoying, as well as embarassing. I put thrush turbo mufflers on it which make it so much nicer to drive. If you are looking for a quiet, cheap muffler I would highly recommend them. Next project is to add saginaw steering, full roll cage (for safety reasons), and find a way to add disc brakes. Anyone have any good ideas for solving my back firing problem. I am all ears. Man I am getting old full cage quiet mufflers, next thing you know I will be yelling at kids for walking on my lawn. I am only 28 but it feels like it is catching up to me fast.

 

Sort of late to ask you, do you remember the size of the main metering jets?
Just wondering if youa are running a touch off.
IIRC 51's were stock an supposed to be good up to 3,000 ft.

 

Do what?

 

Sorry for my stupidity but I am not really sure. Like I said I am used to rigs with Fuel injection or propane.

 

Sorry, was gone for a while looking for stock jet sizes, I didn't find the article that described proper jet sizes for altitudes.
(The density altitude thread is interesting but beyond my realm...)
If it's still backfiring and stumbling (a bit), I would still check on exhaust leaks and possibly lean mix and accel pump probs..
But then, I've been wrong so many times before.

 

When I changed to the new mufflers I changed the gaskets. I also checked for header leaks and tightened all of the header bolts. I still believe that there is fuel getting through, that is not burned off. That is why I keep getting a back fire out of the passeger side muffler. I just have the motor running right, and do not won't to mess with it too much. One thing I did notice is that the damper was moving around a lot when the timing was checked. After doing some research on this forum it seems that the distributor bearing might be the cause, but I am not sure.

 

Would that cause back firing and a rough running engine. I must say that in all the websites that I have been involved with, this one has had the nicest and most informative members that I have ever been involved with. Thank you guys so much for helping me out.

 

Yes, if the timing keeps changing, it won't idle right.
If anything is off in this engine, it's always obvious in the right bank.
If your exhaust is actually flowing better than stock, it can cause a lean burn.
(bit of controversy here, you will have to check the old posts. ie. search function).
Ive owned 2 198 v'6s and one 'new' 225' with 185K on it.
They all seem to like a smaller piont gap than is given in the tune up data.
Yes, I have a dwell meter.

 

I had a lot of the same problems with mine and after fiddling with timing and the carb it ran ok. Then I put the pertronix ignitor system in with the flame thrower coil and I can't believe the difference. Sorry to sound like a commercial but it made that much better. Just look up pertronix online or on this site, it converts your distributor into electronic ignition. I got mine for about $75.00, and haven't seen any complaints about the system on this website.