66 L79 Tuning

[Todd Brown]

I just finished the installation of the correct '490 intake and 3367 carb on my '66 L79. After getting the engine running and timing set, the engine does not idle as it did before the switch (engine idled and ran perfect before swap). The car had a mild lope to the idle before the swap, and it now has no lope and seems to rattle the exhaust pipes. The engine does idle with no problem. Also, the car drives excellent, but pops through the exhaust when you let off of the gas. The car does have side pipes, so this is very annoying.

The floats are set correctly as are the idle mixture. Timing is set at 14 degrees BTDC at idle. I have not checked the total timing at 3000 rpm. I will be checking the choke and timing later tonight, but would appreciate any direction in correcting the problem.

Thanks.

[Duke Williams (22045)]

Re: 66 L79 Tuning

Are you absolutely, positively certain without exception or reservation of any kind that the distributor is properly assembled, installed, and the wires are properly indexed on the cap. Also, verify that you have a correct and properly functioning vacuum advance.

There is one and only one proper installation orientation and spark plug wire indexing that is correct and will function properly without problems. Also, the dimple in the dist. drive gear must be pointed in the same direction as the rotor tip.

Your problem could be carbuetor related, but if the dist. is not properly assembeled and installed the rotor tip will not be properly indexed with the cap terminals, which can cause a weak spark and occasional backfiring and other poor running symptoms.

Duke