I have a 83 B600 school bus with the 370 in it and 110,000 miles. I have a few issues and would like a few answers. 1st is that 4or 5 exhaust bolts are broke off in heads,2 it seems to smoke alot while at idle, when I shut it off after driving for 20-30 minutes it will not fire even after spaying starting fluid in it but after sitting 3-4 hours fires right up and I mean right up no gas at all. At first thought it was vapor lock but no fire with either, I replaced ignition system with DUI unit so cant believe its a spark issue, Im lost. Now should I rebuild this motor or drop in another big block say 460 or something like that or use the 370 again. any help would be appriciated

 

I see used 385 series engines (370, 429 and 460) for $500 up. If you could hear one run before it got pulled that would be a plus. Yours could have a few 100K on it already. Do you plan to do the work yourself?

Both Ford and Chevy big block engines have the exhaust manifold bolt issues so that is just a given that has to be addressed.

 

Rebuilt the carb the old seats are letting gas down the cylinders, flooding & washing them. It is not an ignition problem pull the plugs & see if they are flooded. Turn it over to clear it out, do a compression check. reinstall plugs & see if it starts. Use a little heavier oil like straight 30w see if that helps. If not you might get lucky & just rering it. Keep the old 370 they are great engines.

You do not have to machine it unless you are out of tolerance on the crank. Fresh valve job, timing chain, rering kit & updated valve seals it will be good for another 100K.

No need to scrap it unless you need more power. I have a 85 F700 dump truck still runs great with 123,xxx on it after I rebuilt the carb. I run it full blast everywhere. It flooded before I rebuilt the carb too...

 

What about installing new carb on it instead of governed model?? What kind of compression # should I be seeing when doing compression check? Really dont think its rings it only smokes when idleing not while running down the road but a rering might be in order when the heads are off if compression is bad. Will it loose compression when hot so it doesnt show up on comp check when cold?? thanks for your help

 

Don't know what to tell you on the bus, but that red bike is WAY cool !

 

Is that MIS on the guardrail? Where you are parked?

 

Yes sir, I have site A 16 in June and AA 13 in August both in section 5 backstretch now that they changed things up this year.
Do you think it is wise to rebuild the stock carb or just replace it with a new one?? Not sure what my options are on these type truck motors. Thanks for your help.

Yes the bike is a popular ride down there gets lots of looks even more when my wife is riding it!

 

Get me a spot I just got a 28' Conquest W/ 460, the wife say's get a spot for August. What is the best race day this year. \

She authorized $200 for the spot !

 

sites are 150 for third row back and further,175 second row, and 200 for rail spot. as of now I think they are sold out but check ebay a few weeks before either race they are usually on there also try MIS website to see if any are avalible. we reserve ours in Oct for the next year

 

We just got a 28' Conquest & wanted to giv it a rip this year,
The rooftop platform is ok to have a party on?...

 

It is quite a party for sure we go down Thursday afternoon and stay til Monday morning. The deck on the roof is a must to view the race expecially if you are a few rows back otherwise you see nothing but the unit in front of you.keep me posted if you go down well meet up for a cocktail or few!!!
On the motor I found one today with 30,000 on it for 200 guy says he pulled it from a tree truck he had it rebuilt a year earlier going to check it out in the morning figure its got to be worth that just in parts alt,starter,carb, if it is what he says Im going to drop it right in as is and keep the other to rebuild in the future

 

Roger that I need to build a deck. & we can hook up

If you drop it right in still re gasket everything, you can install new valve oil seals with the heads still on. Just pump it up with air or you will be sorry. my 2c

Ask me why I know,