I wouldn't go any higher on the converter, you don't need it for a light car like these. Mine's got around a 2000 (maybe a tad less) in it and it works great as is with the 3.50's and the 331.
Progress update... Not much to report. Weekend before last I got nothing done. Helped a friend with a transmission swap. Last weekend was Easter weekend, went down to Jackson, MS to spend it with family. Maybe this weekend will be the one... Anyway I did get my torque converter in. Here it is. The main difference between this one and the Hughes converter I had before is the case size. We'll see how it compares in action. Also bought a new flexplate just in case the old one is bent, and that arrived today. All I have left to buy is oil, filters, spark plugs, antifreeze, AC refrigerant, etc. I think this car has run out of surprises for me, at least on this project. Hope so...
Worked all weekend and finished the install last night. I have not fired it yet... I figure with the car being as loud as it is, the ~30 minute cam break-in ought to be done during the day, maybe while most of the neighbors are at work, so I'm going to try and do that on my lunch break today provided I can in the limited amount of time I'll have. (I THINK the battery should have enough charge...) Anyway, here are some pics!
...annnd the battery did not have enough juice for more than a couple of turns, plus my carburetor now seems to be leaking from every possible place. Really didn't expect that. Carb was in top shape before. So, the battery's on the charger and I'll put a kit in the carb tonight or tomorrow night, and give it another try.
There's always something that goes wrong unexpected when firing up a fresh build. It looks as good as it did before but shoudl have a couple more ponies in it. Bet you can wait to get it broken in.
I really can't. Right now I'm thinking about starting it up as soon as I get home, and damn the leaky carb. I've got rags, I've got a fire extinguisher, let it drip. Neighbors can handle a few minutes of noise at 5:30pm too. Then at least that will be done... Then I'll change the oil and be ready to drive as soon as I fix the carb.
Is the exhaust connected? I prefer to start mine for the first time with a full exhaust so I can hear if something's not right.
Yes... Fully done! There's literally nothing left to do but break it in, top off the trans, charge up the AC and set the clock and presets on my stereo. It's still pretty loud though, especially if I'm going to have it running 2-3k for half an hour breaking it in. Two chambered mufflers, 2.5" pipes, long tube headers and dumps at the axle.
Well I broke in the cam yesterday. Strange thing, after it warmed up the carb leaks all went away. Even later after it was cooled off. I'm still going to rebuild it to be safe but I'm not too worried about it right now. I ran it for half an hour, varying RPMs from 2-3k, while that was going on I topped off the radiator, filled the AC... It sounded so nice. Then I brought the idle screw down to where I wanted it, shut it off and changed the oil. Had to go do some work after that so I didn't drive it. When I got back home I replaced my old battery cables since I'd broken a terminal, and got it ready for this morning. (The all important clock and radio presets mainly.) Drove it in to work this morning... It was sublime. No noises that shouldn't be there. Good temp, good pressure. No leaks. Just a sweet exhaust note and nice cammy idle. It feels different alright. It wants to rev. Overall if I had to describe the way it feels I'd say "impatient." But I will be patient... Need to put some miles on it before I see what it will do, but for now it is so, so nice. Thanks everyone for your help. :Handshake
Sweet. sounds like you did a good job putting it all back togethor. Put some miles on it if you want. For me I couldnt wait that long. I believe if its going to break later then it will break now so I might as well get it over with and put the pedal down.
