67 Riviera 430 Build: Chapter 2

Ok it took a real long time to get it to idle, it’s 30* here in CT. It finally did and seemed to do alright


And then after some parking lot tuning

 

Two intakes and two exhaust

 

Here’s one of the plugs. What does the ground strap say about timing?

 

I’m struggling with why it doesn’t feel faster at all

The butt dyno is confused

 

John did you use the cliff ruggles q jet it has electric choke and flowed at 830cfm

 

I have not yet, I wanted to retain my kickdown, 3-2 with the throttle linkage. I’ll have to find a way to adapt it

Was that the same carb you ran Steve?

 

Yes. John check here but I think porting is more top end in the 1/4 mile guys should be able to fill u in

 

I think you can actually HEAR the difference in compression ratio:

Before:

After:

 

Yes sounds like everyone is home how much of a bump did u get in compression

 

It appears I went from about 9.65 to 10.17

 

With all your changes I think u can run a little larger carb than 750 cfm

 

Inspected plugs 1, 5, 6, 8.
Saw early signs of mild pre-ignition on 1 and 5, very little on 6/8. I think I just need new spark plugs first, cause that could have been from an earlier run. Even though it’s not likely, it’s good for peace of mind.

New list of things to do:
Verify timing is either 32 or 34. If either....
Retard timing to 32-30* 18-16 initial 14 mechanical
8 new R44TS spark plugs

Edit: I just rechecked #1 with a strong flashlight, there is definitely some shiny material on the plug. This is bad

What are the ways to fix this...?
Decrease timing
Bigger cam!
Race gas/octane booster
Head swap back
Already using a 160* thermostat

 

Forgive my ignorant question..what do you mean by shiny? as in metal flakes or a clean non firing plug?
Why again the 160* thermostat?
Wanted to also ask, there is no need for valve block notching on a 430 when using the Stage 1 valves?

 

Sometimes adding fuel can help, drop a few degrees in timing,,

 

There appear to be small metal flakes, and 160 thermostat to keep it cool so that I may avoid detonation even more.

 

I’m running 76 driver/74 passenger with 41 primary rods, AX secondary rods with an F hanger. I wonder how much more fuel I can add

Also, my idle vacuum dropped from 15” to 13”, what could that mean?

 

Well I can't help you with that carb at all, I know nothing about a qjet. I only run holleys or edelbrocks on stuff here.

Idle from can effect vacuum reading

 

A fresh set of plugs, retarding timing to 30*, a half tank of 93, and a full bottle of Lucas octane booster seems to have calmed things down, it seems.

First pic is of new plugs showing the perfect timing mark on the ground strap after about 2 miles of driving before the Lucas got sucked through the fuel line:


Second pic is of the Lucas coating the plug after about 10 miles:

 

That's what I hate about so many additives, it turns stuff a goofy color and hard to read.

With the drop in total timing you can ramp it in slower too thst will help a little,

I would try to get it right without having to use additive octane booster or mixing fuels........not to mention the price of that stuff is close to a gal of av gas.

Might be where you need a little thicker head gaskets to drop that ratio down a tick

 

Oh I also cut the weights in the advance mechanism to make mechanical advance come in slower.