ClassicOldsmobile.com - View Single Post - Blown head gasket? Way too hot!!! NEED HELP!!

elisowski · 08-19-2003, 06:20 PM

A lot has happened since I posted the question.

Changed the head gasket. Brand new Edelbrock heads were O.006" off between the center cylinders. Had them resurfaced and and put the motor back together with a new speed demon 750 cfm carb with vacuum secondaries and a new pertronix hei distributor and a new high-torque starter.

Headers apparently red hot because of the ignition being retarded.

Car runs 195-205 degrees on a 185 thermostat without a fan blade and using a 2350 cfm electric "pusher" fan on the outside of a 4-row radiator in traffic. Seems to be working well.

But, I'm still a little puzzled about the timing.
Without vacuum, it needs 25 degrees BTDC to idle @ 1000 rpm. The vacuum gage reads 17-18 inches at this advance. To get 20 inches, I need to give it about 29 degrees advance. But its hard to re-start.

If I give it 35 degrees total advance @ 3500, it seems to be slightly retarded. It really wants to have about 42 degrees @ btdc with vacuum to run well. But I'm afraid to let it get there. I have been told that under load that reading will retard, and should be ok.

But I don't feel like grenading another motor.

I degreed in the cam and it met all of the opening and closing events on four different cylinders so I feel it was installed correctly and straight up.

I have been told to advance the cam 4 degrees by Mondello. I really don't understand how this will help.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for your time!!!

08-19-2003, 06:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
elisowski Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 2	A lot has happened since I posted the question. Changed the head gasket. Brand new Edelbrock heads were O.006" off between the center cylinders. Had them resurfaced and and put the motor back together with a new speed demon 750 cfm carb with vacuum secondaries and a new pertronix hei distributor and a new high-torque starter. Headers apparently red hot because of the ignition being retarded. Car runs 195-205 degrees on a 185 thermostat without a fan blade and using a 2350 cfm electric "pusher" fan on the outside of a 4-row radiator in traffic. Seems to be working well. But, I'm still a little puzzled about the timing. Without vacuum, it needs 25 degrees BTDC to idle @ 1000 rpm. The vacuum gage reads 17-18 inches at this advance. To get 20 inches, I need to give it about 29 degrees advance. But its hard to re-start. If I give it 35 degrees total advance @ 3500, it seems to be slightly retarded. It really wants to have about 42 degrees @ btdc with vacuum to run well. But I'm afraid to let it get there. I have been told that under load that reading will retard, and should be ok. But I don't feel like grenading another motor. I degreed in the cam and it met all of the opening and closing events on four different cylinders so I feel it was installed correctly and straight up. I have been told to advance the cam 4 degrees by Mondello. I really don't understand how this will help. Any suggestions? Thanks for your time!!!