DIY and results?

[John P.]

As I do more restoration and repair on my 65 327/370 with factory A/C convertible, I find things I don't plan to do again.

1. Parking brake shoe replacement. Successful, but how frustrating . Half of the replacement parts were not remotely usable.

2. Stock AM/FM radio pull for repair. Not again I say! And I won't let myself think of cluster or heater core replacement.

3. Spark plug wire replacement. Are you kidding me? How in the world to thread the front 2 wires? I do not have a lift, and now after all the hassle from below-I have turned a nicely running auto into a backfiring, missing mess. I changed 3 year old plugs to Denso , used Packard wires ( new old stock from 3 years ago). I believe the routing to the distributor is correct, no vacuum hoses displaced- I have yet to receive replacement wire grommets, but what are the thoughts on what has caused the poor performance?

[Bill M.]

Re: DIY and results?

John heater core is not to bad to do. A piece of 2x4 is your third hand when putting back together from the seat to the inside box Worst part about the cluster is re-installing the darn light bulbs especially if your hands are 63 years old The plug wires I remove the boots and slide the wires under the motor mounts. Your poor ignition sounds like crossed wires Hope this helps

[Tom E.]

Re: DIY and results?

John,
The quickest way to verify plug orientation is to ohm out each wire with a Meter. This will quickly tell you which wire got crossed if any.
Tom

[Bill M.]

Re: DIY and results?

Tom right perform a continuity test

[Mark E.]

Re: DIY and results?

...327/370?

[Bill M.]

Re: DIY and results?

I have the experimental 327 Hemi it is not for sale yet

[John P.]

Re: DIY and results?

More info now but a new question. It does appear, as one would expect, that 2 plug wires were reversed.

Running well now but a new problem: can not lower idle to below 11-1200 RPM. Even by retarding the timing, I am still at that RPM. And a tad of run-on when I shut the engine down. Carb adjustment as low as it will go.

Consequently, I assume, my engine temp has crept up on my gauge to 190 at cruise-acceptable I suppose , but before I replaced plugs and wires
I was generally at perhaps at 170 at cruise.

I have a 3 year old replacement Holley, which has been performing very well.

Would the Denso plugs and new wires result in the higher idle? Any reason not to retard timing and lean the mixture to lower the idle? Other than the bother to my ear, any downside? Suggestions ? Was sitting at 800 RPM previously and running very well.

[Mark E.]

Re: DIY and results?

Set timing to factory specs, not to adjust the idle speed. Retarded timing can cause over heating and a lean mixture can burn valves.

Assuming the carb wasn't messed with since the car was running well, a likely culprit is a vacuum leak. Look for a loose vacuum line.