It's ALIVE! fired up the truck tonight...first time since the rebuild <VIDEO>

The engine needed some TLC, but nothing major. When I took it over, after my father passed, it ran, but it ran really bad. I can't blame my father too much...he wasn't overly mechanical when it came to engines, although I'm surprised he didn't try to figure out why it wasn't running the way it should. The engine was dynoed at 408hp and only has around 3,000 miles on it, but even though it was a strong motor, I never really thought that the dyno was true...up until tonight. What I found while I was dismantling the truck many months ago were the following issues:

1) Coil wired backwards
2) Spark plugs were only finger tight
3) 1 7/8 headers and exhaust rusted out
4) 2 bad ignition wires
5) Accel dual point with one of points fouled
6) 4 oil fouled plugs
7) 160 thermostat

I addressed all these issues and fired her up for the first time tonight since the rebuild of the truck. Enjoy:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CNSevXFdG_c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Sounds nice, nice clean engine compartment also.

 

Very nice. Clean.

 

Am I wrong but she sounds like a fairly hefty cam you have running in there.

 

Thanks guys, I was going for the clean look.

The cam is a 292 Comp cam and it's running 10.3:1 compression.

I'm not sure if you can tell, but I put on the 2 1/2" Vette rams horns which seems to have helped it breath a lot. Also put a 2" spacer under the carb which seems to have helped as well. I won't be able to fully dial in the timing and jetting until I get her on the road, which I hope t have happen within the next couple of weeks.

 

Sounds like you have a race cam in it!

 

Congrats, I am sure your Dad would be proud.

 

Congrats! Sounds and looks great! I'll be running a 327 in my '57 3100 as well. Nice job.

 

Sounds good man. I know how good a feeling it is to here it run again. I was stoked for two days when I got my car fired.

 

I felt like a little kid...couldn't sleep last night.

 

You replaced the 160 thermostat to? 180, 190? Or kept the same?

 

I installed a 180. The 160 was keeping the engine a little too cold blooded. Along with upping the temp I also increased the gap to 35 instead of 32 for more complete burn...the Mallory allowed for it with no issues. I really runs like a different engine.

 

Here's the complete rundown:

'68 327 running 10.3:1 compression
2.02 camel hump heads
292H Comp cam
2 1/2" Corvette style rams horn exhaust manifolds
Mallory Unilite distributor
Moroso Blue Max ignition wires
NKG V-power spark plugs set to .035
2" spacer under carb
rebuild Performer 625cfm (650 advertised)
180 T-stat

 

Sounds great!