I got bored, and pulled a spark plug just for grins (remember these are very recently installed for troubleshooting). The tip is covered in thick black carbon deposits. I had another full set of the champions here so I installed them. Guesstimated the timing, squirt of ether, BAM, she starts and the electric choke and high idle do their job. It seems to be a bit rich with the occasional backfire after idling a while. Especiallly when I get the timing back down where it should be (15-20).

My guess is that the mag pickup was going bad, fouled my old plugs, then fouled the champions I put in a few weeks ago. We'll see if I have a recurring cold start issue in the next few weeks. Then I'll know I've still got a problem that is fouling the plugs.

As for now I'm letting it run for a long long time trying to burn out as much crap as possible.

It is good to hear it run again and know that it's probably not a valve train issue or worse.

If it behaves for a while, I might run the electric on the NOS. The plate and NOS/X-tra Fuel plumbing are complete. Maybe the NOS will help clean out some crap :-)

Stay tuned for more fun. It didn't hurt that it is mid 60s today!

Hook 'Em Horns :-)

 

Yah I was so pleased we wone, being here in Cali for 15yrs now ...everyone that knows I'm a native Texan called to say "hey your teams about to get there butts whipped"...Who's smiling now

 

Well, I backed off the idle and let the timing ride high and it seems to drive OK. Vacuum is pretty good, given my setup. Idles at like 15 inches, very smooth. So, I don't think I've got a vac leak or valve train issue. Still runs smooth on up in the higher revs. I had the pooch in the back on a run to the gas station. So, I could not really get on it. I topped it off with some fresh super just for grins.

If I decide to abandon my original plan to watch my wife run around the country side tomorow, maybe I'll get the NOS hooked up soon.

 

Sounds like fun. You could change you plans and drive to Houston...I need help on mine...every time I look at the engine on the stand I end up saying the heck with it and grab a beer...lol. My motivation is gone. If I could just get motivated I could probably get it back together this weekend.

Tracy

 

I know the feeling. I'm not sure what got into me while ago. I guess I had the plugs just laying here anyway, so I figured I'd take a look at one.

We'll see if my problem returns. I got half a mind to take it to a carb tuning guru and just pay them some bucks to optimize this thing.

 

Hey greg, glad to hear you're getting some revs again. It's always more fullfilling to tune yourself, but sometimes a guy has to decide when it's time. Hope your problem is solved.

Keep us posted.

Madmike33

 

Good to hear it is alive again!!

 

Well, it's still acting a little funny when cold. I think I'll be back in the same place soon. I need to figure out why it's running so rough cold...

 

Great to hear it's running again. Something still is "amiss" (ah, um pun intended) if it's backfiring and running rough.

First...I'd NEVER run chumpyums in my FE. Just never had luck. Autolites or Motorcrafts are my choice, but that's my opinion(free, so use it as you like LOL).

It was 40 degrees on Jan 1st, and with NO ether, but a few hard tries my 428 came to life and ran like a champ(after a bit of pedal play) after sitting for TWO months in sub 20 degree temps.

We REALLY need to get this figured out Greg! There is no reason at all that it should not purr and drive like a swiss watch.

 

this morning, it's a nice 65 ish. So I go out to see what she does. Ignition off, I stab the throttle to activiate the choke. It doesn't move. I say screw it, I'll try to start it the old fashioned way: two pumps, hit it, then try to hold the throttle at about 2000 rpm until it warms up. I'll be darned! It worked. then after a minute or so the choke kicks in and it bogs down and it will hardly idle. this choke seems a bit unpredicatble, so I removed it completely. If I can get back to where it will start with me managing te throttle, I'll be happy. It still seems to bog down low even after it warmed up. It purrs like a kitten at 4000rpm.

stock options look good right now, Holley Fuel injection tempting. If I'm gonna spend this much time jacking with something, it might as well be fuel injected :-)

 

LOL!


If I was in your positon, the first thing I'd do is convert it to a manual choke. That way YOU have direct control of the choke. Takes all the guesswork right out of it.

On the spark plugs, exactly WHAT spark plugs are you running? It sounds like they're a far too cold heat range and are fouling up.

 

I'm running a Champion RACE PLUG C57CX . As best I could tell, this matched keith Crafts Aluminum Head recommendation. but the part number isn't exactly the same as he lists here: http://www.keithcraft.com/tech_tips.html

here is the Jegs description:
14mm Thread, .750'' Reach, 5/8'' Hex, Washer Seat - Regular Tip

seemed like a winner to me.

But remember, the problem started before I switched to the Champions. there were some cold start problems back when I ran the AC Delcos.

Which Autolite or Motorcraft part numbers should I run with the Edelbrock heads? I can never find any info about part numbers or temp range etc. the NOS install says to run a cooler plug. any suggestions for when I get to that point?

 

After a little research, it looks lie I should run the Autolite 3923 on NOS and the 3924 without NOS. It syas to avoid the platinum on NOS.

here is a good site about autolite plugs:
http://www.autolitesparkplugs.com/sparkplug411.asp

 

Thats funny, i got the fever today and pulled out all 8 spark plugs for grins and giggles.

Got a good solid 19 inches of mercury, with my super small camshaft. Don't fell left out Greg, I have some driveability issues, until up to full tempature i have to hold the gas and brakes at stop signs, and work the gas from the takeoff. Part of my problem is not running vac advance, i don't use it because i found that 20 degrees inital and mechanical gets to the finish line quicker.

Keep up the good work, and that autolite pages should be on everyone favorites listing.

 

Make sure the choke is wired to the correct power source. Lean the choke out quite a bit. It aint that cold and it sound like she just wants a little tickle to wake up on the cool mornings. Over choking will foul the plugs

Have fun!