Starting a 340 hp after 37 years! - NCRS Discussion Boards

Starting a 340 hp after 37 years!

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  • Richard G.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • July 31, 1984
    • 1715

    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;
    • 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.

    • 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
  • Joe R.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • May 31, 2006
    • 1822

    #2
    Re: Starting a 340 hp after 37 years!

    Congratulations! I can tell you are pumped!

    Joe

    Comment

    • Edward J.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • September 15, 2008
      • 6940

      #3
      Re: Starting a 340 hp after 37 years!

      Rich, its nice to be able to bring the car out of hiding after so many years. Its another corvette brought back to life, and a split window so many people young and old know its heritage. enjoy it.
      New England chapter member, 63 Convert. 327/340- Chapter/Regional/national Top Flight, 72 coupe- chapter and regional Top Flight.

      Comment

      • Peter M.
        Very Frequent User
        • May 30, 2013
        • 358

        #4
        Re: Starting a 340 hp after 37 years!

        Rich,
        Congratulations! I bet even at that time of night you still couldn't get to sleep.
        Kind Regards

        Comment

        • Leif A.
          Extremely Frequent Poster
          • August 31, 1997
          • 3613

          #5
          Re: Starting a 340 hp after 37 years!

          Rich,
          You have earned the right to be giddy. Anticipation is quite the elixir. Can't wait to see some pictures and hear some videos. I just know you're going to enjoy putting the miles on her. Congratulations!!
          Leif
          '67 Coupe L79, M21, C60, N14, N40, J50, A31, U69, A01, QB1
          Top Flight 2017 Lone Star Regional

          Comment

          • Stewart L.
            Very Frequent User
            • February 29, 1980
            • 351

            #6
            Re: Starting a 340 hp after 37 years!

            Rich,
            Im glad you have it running. I guess we should have had our chapter meet in August instead of June. I'm looking forward to seeing your car.
            Stewart

            Comment

            • Thomas S.
              Very Frequent User
              • February 6, 2016
              • 609

              #7
              Re: Starting a 340 hp after 37 years!

              Now that was a great story with a happy ending.
              67 427/400 Lynndale Blue Corvette https://online.flippingbook.com/view/750924569

              Comment

              • Ed H.
                Very Frequent User
                • October 31, 1999
                • 626

                #8
                Re: Starting a 340 hp after 37 years!

                Rich,
                There is no sound better than a solid lifter, 30/30 Duntov designed cam, in a 327 11:1 motor, other than screaming up the Pacific Coast Hiway
                early on a Sunday morning listing to the exhaust at 6,000 RPM. Oh for the old days!

                Comment

                • Richard G.
                  Extremely Frequent Poster
                  • July 31, 1984
                  • 1715

                  #9
                  Re: Starting a 340 hp after 37 years!



                  What the other drivers get to see.
                  Attached Files

                  Comment

                  • Thomas S.
                    Very Frequent User
                    • February 6, 2016
                    • 609

                    #10
                    Re: Starting a 340 hp after 37 years!

                    That would be very fast - What axle ratio do you have?
                    67 427/400 Lynndale Blue Corvette https://online.flippingbook.com/view/750924569

                    Comment

                    • Richard G.
                      Extremely Frequent Poster
                      • July 31, 1984
                      • 1715

                      #11
                      Re: Starting a 340 hp after 37 years!

                      3:55.
                      Born with 4:11.
                      The 3:55 gears have a 1965 date on them. (GM gears)
                      Easy enough to figure out how the 4:11 might have gotten old quick. Even at $.25 cents a gallon.
                      Back (well way back) I took a 400 mile road trip and averaged 18mpg.

                      The fast comment was of course tongue and cheek.
                      Nothing that was state of the art in 1963 will compare to a new Corvette.
                      I read where a Dodge Mini-van does the slalom in the same time a 67 Corvette can do it.
                      It does compare in Looks.
                      Rick
                      Attached Files
                      Last edited by Richard G.; July 3, 2018, 09:24 AM.

                      Comment

                      • James G.
                        Extremely Frequent Poster
                        • May 31, 1976
                        • 1556

                        #12
                        Re: Starting a 340 hp after 37 years!

                        GREAT STORY Rick. So much fun to see a great old 63 SWC back driving those beautiful Washington Highways. Will you be at the NATIONAL in Vegas in two weeks? Love to see you. I will be there Tuesday and Wednesday July 17 and 18.
                        Over 80 Corvettes of fun ! Love Rochester Fuel Injection 57-65 cars. Love CORVETTE RACE CARS
                        Co-Founder REGISTRY OF CORVETTE RACE CARS.COM

                        Comment

                        • Richard G.
                          Extremely Frequent Poster
                          • July 31, 1984
                          • 1715

                          #13
                          Re: Starting a 340 hp after 37 years!

                          I have been to four of the NCRS Nationals but never with a car of course.
                          I can't make it to Vegas this year.
                          Rick

                          Comment

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