Starting a 340 hp after 37 years!
Well it happened this week the motor in my 1963 is running again after may years. (Or decades but who is counting).
It was in stages;
This project lasted through a divorce, two children and a second marriage. My children are in their 30's and have never seen this car run before. In the past I didn't have the time or the money. Now, I have both. Many thanks to my wife, Margaret. As she only complains about my shop time occasionally. (:
Thanks to everyone for all the encouragement and knowledge sharing. Their is simply no way this Corvette would be as nice as it is without your advice. I am constantly at awe at the collective knowledge that is shared on this forum.
Nite.
Rick
It was in stages;
- Solve the fuel line leaks.
- Determine the distributor is on compression stroke as the timing mark had moved, from zero.
Likely the car was bumped/moved with the transmission in gear. This wasn't planed as it was on tdc #6 when I matched the timing marks to install the timing chain. Then rolled one turn for TDC #1 compression stroke.
Pulled the valve cover and confirm #1 compression by watching the valve sequence.
Pulled the valve cover and confirm #1 compression by watching the valve sequence.
- Motor attempts to start. Coughs and sputters
- Determine the distributor is off by one tooth.
- Fix leaking radiator hose at the tower clamp.
- Wait a full day for help. Pull the distributor rotate one tooth on the cam and have buddy/friend/wife hit the starter while pushing down on the distributor till it falls into the oil pump notch. Confirm by bumping the engine over till timing marks and #1 line up.
- Motor starts and runs but could be better. High 5's all around in the noise. Rotate distributor enough to get the motor to run acceptable. Attempted to run the motor for 20 min at 2000 rpm for cam break-in. Starts to dump water after about 15 min. Motor shut down for the day. Lots of other things, not motor related, can use attention.
- Next day determine the 55 year old radiator cap is identified as the cause of the leak. Purchase replacement cap. Attempt to start the motor again. This time I determine timing is still off by one tooth. (Or and additional tooth if you count the first distributor move)
- Wait a full day for help. Move distributor another tooth. (There is very little room to time the distributor as the vacuum canister hits the intake manifold on one side and the coil bracket on the other. Starts and runs at an idle this time. Set the timing by ear. Celebrate with a beer and my friend Bill that helps me all the time. Bitter sweet moment. Bitter it took so long, sweet its running again.
- Next day set the timing with a light and the idle speed. Idles nicely at 850 rpm. (Used the 2" rule and replaced the stock vacuum canister and the advance springs). Thanks Duke! Motor idles amazingly well.
- Choke isn't working but it starts right up on a warm summer day. I believe it only requires adjustment?
- Take a video of the motor running and send to anyone who cares and some that don't!
- Start and run the car often just to be sure its real and nothing has failed.
- Starts right up after shutting it off. Flick of the key and it going. Very satiating. Love the sound of the solid lifters!
This project lasted through a divorce, two children and a second marriage. My children are in their 30's and have never seen this car run before. In the past I didn't have the time or the money. Now, I have both. Many thanks to my wife, Margaret. As she only complains about my shop time occasionally. (:
Thanks to everyone for all the encouragement and knowledge sharing. Their is simply no way this Corvette would be as nice as it is without your advice. I am constantly at awe at the collective knowledge that is shared on this forum.
Nite.
Rick
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