Tuning Basics - Episode 2

[bc_suv]

Hi all,

Following this thread : Tuning Basics

... and some unsuccessful tuning basics applied by myself I have been recommended by someone to go back to the start and fit the engine with some components that are easy to setup and known to work well together.

My current setup is as follows:
269 SBC from 84 Malibu - The block has been checked and the cylinders were well within tolerances, they were honed and new rings fitted.
The heads have been overhauled, a few value guides replaced and the values seats recut and seated.
I've had a Edelbrock #2102 cam fitted with hydraulic lifters.
It's got a Holley 600cfm (4106) 4 barrel carb with Vac secondaries
Dual plane intake manifold (not sure what make)
An Accel 34000V Series dizzy with vacuum advance.
Electric fuel pump supplied by pilgrim (not sure which make).

I have been recommended to fit these as a minimum:
HEI distributor
Taylor high performance ignition leads
Edelbrock carb 500 or 600cfm
Fuel pump electric of known quality

My question is this - obviously there are no guarantees but would this proposed setup be a step in the right direction.

Sorry for all the details but I'm a little out of my depth with all this and don't really want to throw a thousand pounds at the engine and see no results.

Your thoughts would be most appreciated.

All the best,

Brian C

[Clarkson]

No!

Why fit any of the recommended stuff if your other parts are in servicable condition??

You would be better of spending some cash on a local rolling road and get it set up for you!

Give this guy a call!

grl whizz

[mylesdw]

Are you sure you are right about that engine size? It's just that I've never heard of an SBC that small except for the very early 265 which preceded the 283 and which was produced in the 50s. An 80s Malibu would surely have a 305 or a 350. Just interested...

I would be very wary about "just fit these bits and she'll be fine"; it's easy to say if you don't have to pay for the parts. There seems to be nothing obviously wrong with your list of current parts so Clarkson's suggestion of a decent RR session sounds by far the best. Setting up the mixture and advance might be all that is required, or at worst a cam change if the combination of CR and cam doesn't match well.

[bc_suv]

Hi All,

Thanks Fastco.

The block number is 14010205 - as best I can make out this is a 267 from 80-81. Any idea how I can find out how much power this should make? I hoping about 150bhp.

Cheers,

Brian C

[V Mad]

Originally Posted by bc_suv

Hi all,

Following this thread : Tuning Basics

... and some unsuccessful tuning basics applied by myself I have been recommended by someone to go back to the start and fit the engine with some components that are easy to setup and known to work well together.

My current setup is as follows:
269 SBC from 84 Malibu - The block has been checked and the cylinders were well within tolerances, they were honed and new rings fitted.
The heads have been overhauled, a few value guides replaced and the values seats recut and seated.
I've had a Edelbrock #2102 cam fitted with hydraulic lifters.
It's got a Holley 600cfm (4106) 4 barrel carb with Vac secondaries
Dual plane intake manifold (not sure what make)
An Accel 34000V Series dizzy with vacuum advance.
Electric fuel pump supplied by pilgrim (not sure which make).

I have been recommended to fit these as a minimum:
HEI distributor
Taylor high performance ignition leads
Edelbrock carb 500 or 600cfm
Fuel pump electric of known quality

My question is this - obviously there are no guarantees but would this proposed setup be a step in the right direction.

Sorry for all the details but I'm a little out of my depth with all this and don't really want to throw a thousand pounds at the engine and see no results.

Your thoughts would be most appreciated.

All the best,

Brian C

Brian
Your gut feeling is right. Dont go in with lots of expensive changes. Deal with the most probable/simple/cheaest things first.

When you drive your car, you say it is lumpy etc. In my experience there are two common problems with these symptoms:
1. Ignition faults
2. Fuel delivery faults

When you accelerate, inginiton systems often suffer from HT breakdown, where either the HT leaks away due to an insulation fault, or the HT voltage is not high enough to jump the gaps. Check leads, dizzy cap, and plugs. If necessary replace one by one. These are usually the cheapest and quickest things to do. You need a proper points gap/dwell to get a good HT, so get that sorted before you move on to fuel.

Your experience of erratic timing needs to be resolved, The advance should move steadily as you rev up. Erratic movements indicate problems with advance springs.

As for ignition, when you accelerate, this puts more demands on the system. On large CI engines the fuel pump needs to deliver fuel fast. Your regular electric pump may only be suitable for low CI engines (4 cylinder 2 lite etc). Also make sure your carb float level is adequate. The Holley has a sight plug and external float adjustment which makes this a cinch.

Do these simple checks thoroughly and you could save yourself a lot of hassle. If you try to rush them, you will probably regret it later.

Ask again if you need any further expansion on those points.

Good luck.