So. I’m firmly set it being the power steering starting to go mixed with the brake booster starting to go. I’ll deal with them once they finally go out. I advanced the timing by the distributor and it completely removed a lot of stupid problems I’d been having with idling and start up. I originally had advanced it and loved it but changed it to stock when i was diagnosing multiple issues. looks like i have a bigger cam than stock. The previous owner wasn’t too familiar with what was in the car so i can only assume it does with it needing advanced timing and how the car lights up the tires on a downshift. I’m gonna return a bunch of stuff to Home Depot first thing in the AM and then get to work on the brakes. I may re-bleed them just for good measure. It brakes fine but just a lot of brake pedal travel.
Still didnt mess with the brakes yet lol. Got lazy. They work damn well and everything’s going good. A lot of folks say these motors can’t handle abuse but I’m casually around 4800 romping the hell out of it around town. Shifting out of first at 5500. Truly being a real goon lol. I think for my birthday i may get TA heads and intake for it. I really like the 350 and anything to make it lighter. These upgrades will probably be the last items i can do before doing any damage to the transmission. was thinking about coil overs to stiffen it all up
In reality, NO engine can handle abuse. Keep the oil clean and full, keep rpm reasonable ( 5000 max rpm) Read Larry’s Power Timing Thread!! If you detonate the crap out of it ANY engine will give up! Install AT LEAST an oil pressure gauge, don’t worry about low idle pressure as long as it rises with rpm, and if your going to be winging it above 3500 rpm, CHANGE THE RELIEF SPRING TO A 60 lb spring! The stock spring only allows 38 lbs MAX. I’m not yelling at you, just trying to drive home points that are important for longevity, you have a nice Buick there, take care of it
Where can i get the spring? I saw that in another thread. also, where on the engine can i put a temp gauge sensor? The car has just a light instead of a gauge and have a gauge lying around. Same with my oil pressure gauge. I gotta get both on. I do check fluids each time i start up the car and it’s been perfect. i did read that thread quite some and wished i understood it enough pertaining how my car is. I bought the car and was told it has a cam which makes sense from sound and its inability to drive at stock timing. Though the owner didn’t know what or which cam. I adjusted timing by ear. Step by step but so far i put about 4-500 miles on it monthly and it’s been running amazing for me. I change fluids as needed and check religiously. Can’t wait to see where i end up with it in the spring. Either heads and intake or twin turbo.
Took a vacuum gauge to adjust my idling AF mixture. It always started up well but i always smelled fuel as well. I adjusted my carb with the vac gauge to as high as i would get it without over revving my idle. It’s sitting now at about 750-850 rpm at idle. Before it would idle low around 550rpm. Every now and then i did have a total drop of rpm and I’m attributing it to the low rpm it had. Nice little change and the cars Idle is better. stacked 800 miles on the car since my last post. It’s not bad man. Usually on TikTok with it burning time.
