I am currently having some problems with my 351c that I just put together, I have got it running but now the issue is that I seem to have a run away idle when trying to set the timing, when I turn the distributor to advance the timng the engine idles up as I move to the advanced positon and when I try to set the timing at 8 to 10 degrees the idle is really high and the idle adjust screw is backed all the way out so the only way I have to get it to idle down is to retard the timing and with the timing mark I set at 8 degrees it is about 3\4 of an inch above the pointer and the engine seems to lug, when it is running it runs smooth. the other problem is today I had a puddle of antifreeze around the distributor and it seems to be coming from the front of the intake, when I installed the inake I installed both the gaskets that were in the kit, I installed the fiber gaskets first with a small amount of sealer and installed the rubber gaskets at front and rear with sealer at the ends the way the instructions said so then I layed the valley pan in place I am wondering did I install the gaskets incorrectly therefore giving me an air leak causing the high idle problem and also causing me a water leak in the front, I installed a new edelbrock 600 carb on the engine and I have not done any adjusting to it, can yall give me some ideas on the high idle and the water leak, I picked up a new intake gasket set but I really want to get it right this time if the intake can possibly be the problem with the high idle and the water leak, I am almost positive that I aligned the timing chain correctly when i installed the cam but I am very hesitant to open up the front cover, I dont think that i would have the engine running as smooth if the marks were not lined up what do yall think my next step should be, sorry for not searching first but my computer is very slow with all the ads on these pages
thanks

 

The antifreeze puddle is most likely coming from your radiator hose or thermostat connection. Tighten them up (not overly tight) and your problem should be solved with the puddle.

I would spray starting fluid around your intake and carb to see if the idle increases, if it does, you have a vacuum leak. Get rid of those rubber seals at the ends of the manifolds and lay down a bead of silicone. If it does not increase, check your timing and how your distributor is working.

 

tomorrow I am going to replace the radiator hoses being I reused the old ones just to see if she was going to crank, I am also going to go with a lot cooler thermostat because she is running kind of on the warm side with a 195 tstat and running without a shroud, are you saying that it is not possible the water is not coming from anywherebut the waterneck area because it appeared very dry around water neck and seemed to be wet right behind where the distributor goes into the block, i am also wondering about the intake because I am able to see about half of the exhaust crossover holes with intake installed so I am not absolutely positive that the intake is correct but I am not very familiar with these engines that explains all of the questions, there is also two holes at the front of the intake that are not being used because there is no holes in the block for bolts the holes in the intake and the exhaust crossover holes on either side of the intake have me wondering now

thanks

 

are you sure you don't have an m block with cleveland heads?

 

sorry, clicked post to quick. Well, Its not going to matter much even if the heads are cleveland. Its the deck you have to worry about. An m block is just a hair over 1 inch taller than a cleveland block. If you have a C intake it won't bold right up. you'll have a spacing problem.

 

Just my simple .02---but are you sure you have an engine/intake match? I cant help but wonder, especially with extra bolt holes at the end, if you have a windsor intake by accident? I havent looked in a while, but dosnt sound good that the exaust crossover is not covered. The Windsor intake will have the thermostat housing on the intake, the Cleveland (M & 400) will have it on the block over the water pump.

 

How about posting some pics so we can see what you are dealing with.

 

are you sure you have the corrct 333 series Tstat in there? if it's the correct type of Tstat i'd leave the 195 in there and get the shroud you need. a lower temp Tstat will not make it run any cooler, the Tstat will just open at a different temperature and the gauge will stil be off to the races. it's the shroud that you need, and the correct type Tstat.
the holes you see near the crossover are cooling holes, they don't go through to any where. before you start the (cold)engine, fill the holes up with a little water or beer and you'll see that they are just pockets. it'll evaporate out when the engine runs.

sounds like you either have a vacuum leak and/or the rockers need to be shimmed

 

please see my post under (cover plate) I just posted some more info on there, I sure do appreciate all the help but please go to my other post and see what I posted there and see what yall can come up with my new issues
thanks