390 CI engine is in and being fine tuned.
Sunday: After working about 14 hours to remove the core support (it was a rusted mess), and pulling the old engine, installing the new, I was ready to fire my new rebuilt motor. I filled it with water and removed the heater hose to let out air. I was surprised how much air gushed out until water showed up. I set the timing, checked my firing order and mentally went over every nut, bolt and clamp. I decided that I had forgotten nothing. The battery had been on the charger while I was finishing up and was fully charged. I used a squeeze ball and dribbled a little fuel in the carburetor, double checked where my fire extinguisher was hanging got in the truck and fired it up. Not! Added a bit more fuel, advanced the distributor and tried again. This time the engine sputtered and tried to run. Added a bit of fuel, advanced the distributor and tried again, closed but no cigar. I’m thinkingProfanity Removed! Added another shot of fuel, advanced the distributor again and pulled the choke out and tried again. This time it fired, would not idle but I kept it revved up with the choke out and just let it rip at about 1600 RPM. Ran the engine 30 minutes to break-in the camshaft. Shut the engine down and checked the drive belts to locate the cause of the really loud squealing noise I’d heard while running in the cam. This shrieking noise was so loud I could not determine where it was coming from. Belts were tight and I knew then I had a vacuum leak somewhere because it would only run with the choke out. I pulled the carburetor and hot water spacer and replaced both those gaskets. Started it again, more choke, would not idle and shrieked something awful. I took a rubber hose, put one end on my ear and the other at the base of the carburetor, man what a shrieking noise. This noise was coming from the rear of the hot water spacer. Took it off and immediately saw the problem. My new gasket did not cover the entire base of the spacer. I plugged off the opening with tin foil and silicone. This is late Sunday afternoon and I plan to drive my old bug to work Monday. Reinstalled the carburetor, fired it up and it ran beautifully, idled like a dream. I reset the timing, air bleed screws, drained the water, tightened one bolt (coolant leak) added antifreeze and water and quit for the evening.
Monday: Looked under the truck for leaks and saw a sickening sight. Large puddle of oil. Pushed the truck back and to my delight it was water from washing the family sedan. Wheew! Fired the truck and set off to work. Runs fine and I am listening to every squeak and groan. On long hills under load I hear a slight detonation. Everything else is great. That evening I reset the ignition timing to 15 initial advance. Ordered a new spacer gasket.
Tuesday: Looked under the truck with a flashlight saw two tiny oil spots. Crap! Still diagnosing this, may be a gallery plug, rear main seal, intake or valve cover gasket, (I hope it’s the valve cover). No detonation under load, 87 octane, 190 degree thermostat and iron heads. So far so good.

 

Good Job! I wished I had your tech know how and confidence. It's better this way. If I had any serious knowledge, I'd build something that force ths state of Missouri to revoke my drivers licsence!

 

William in Atlanta,
Now wonder you get a little detonation(pinging).15 degress advance is a bit much for a 390 engine.8 to 10 is more like the range.I set mine at 10 and runs fine.Also,do yourself a favor and get rid of the water cooled carb spacer.Some threads on the slick sixties forum about guys having hot start problems with these spacers.I had the same problem.I switched to a 1" phenolic spacer($24 at Summit),and hot start problem went away.Has something to do with fuel percolating after hot engine is shut off
Andy
Shasta Lake,Ca.

 

Andy, I have used the hot water spacer for several years and so far I have not had a percolation or hot start problem. I do believe that this device helps warm up the engine and improves drive-ability. I have the Edelbrock gaskets which are a bit thicker but this device heats the mix on a cold engine and cools the mix when everything is up to normal operating temperature. I also use an exhaust manifold heat riser and 190 degree thermostat. Coolant is a 50/50 mix of glycol based anti-freeze and distilled water. So far so good! I had set the timing by ear as I was in a hurry after the leaking gasket problem. Now I am at 15 advanced at idle with the light and have no pinging at all. We are not much above sea level here and the air tends to be moist which would help reduce the pinging. Drove in this morning and Bug runs like a "Hoss".