Need help with 350

[78 BIG TEN]

OK I have a stock 350 unmolested in the truck I just bought. I bought a Edelbrock Performer RPM and a Holley 700 carb (Which the mounting holes cracked, dunno if still usable) So anyways thats the setup on the truck now. Right now we have found TDC and it is starting a fire in the carb. I can't put my stock carb on because of the intake (divorced choke)
1. Is the intake to much for the truck? How will it run?
2. Is the Holley carb junk?
3. Should I cut my losses, sell the intake and go back to stock?
4. Why is it starting a fire? 180 off?
5. What should the timing be set at, has HEI (new wires, plugs, MSD cap and rotor)

Please let me know, I am so aggravated...

[86 chevy silverado]

I think we already established that your carb and intake is too much for your stock motor on your previous thread. You can use your stock carb providing you have the correct bolt pattern or adapter plate on the intake, you just cannot hook up your choke.
To find the correct TDC on #1 is too take the plug out of the #1 cylinder and rotate the motor by hand or key and by using a compression gauge or holding your finger in the plug hole till compression is noted (you may need a second person), line up your timing mark, set distrib rotor to the #1 position and make sure firing order is correct and going the proper rotation (clockwise) and you should be pretty close to where you need to be.

[78 BIG TEN]

So basically your saying go back to stock til I get the correct parts? Cuz I would really like the choke to work.

[86 chevy silverado]

I think it would be much more pratical untill you are able to do other performance up grades such as headers and/ or duel exhaust at the minimum. That intake is for a performance motor and that carb is just plain too big, your just spinning your wheels (unfortunately not literally).
Just changing your carb and intake will do you no good unless you have other parts to work with it.

[78 BIG TEN]

I can get someone to trade me intakes as of now but I am still stuck with no choke. LOL, I guess all I got out of this was at least I replaced my intake gaskets. Which were pretty bad to begin with.

[VileZambonie]

You can modify the choke to work. Either put an electric choke coil or a manual choke cable

[78 BIG TEN]

Well I really don't want to spend anymore money into this intake/carb ordeal for now. I think I will just put the stock stuff back on.

[HAULIN IT]

BigTen, Please don't take what I'm about to say the wrong way. You said in an earlier post you bought an "unmolested" 350 in a truck. I realize you want to do more & make better working on your old truck & that is GREAT, you get TEN POINTS & A PAT ON THE BACK! At least your not playing with some little foregin car, but I'm concerned.  Now you take the carb & intake off, break the new carb putting it on (tell me, Did you cut the original metal fuel line?) & now you can't get it running. Are you sure you don't have a coolant leak running out the bottom of the intake into the engine? My point is this: Your a young guy with desire, but you need knowledge, guys on here & elsewhere will be glad to help, slow down! Is there anything wrong with the original Q-jet? If there is, get a book, ask for help, fix it & gain knowledge & move on to the gas gauge,tie rods, ect. gaining knowledge as you go. Fix what is wrong with the truck, fix a friends car,gain knowledge, then modify when you know why your doing it & that it is the right thing to do. The Q-jet in proper working condition is the BEST daily driver carb there is. I don't mean to sound like a Dad scolding his kid, but this is sound advise comming from a gearhead much older than you, I was 22 once you know. Have Fun, It's a great hobby, Lorne     

[78 BIG TEN]

I see where your coming from. The stock intake and carb worked very well. I just wanted some more power. Yes i cut the stock fuel line, but that can be easily fixed. I think what I will do tomorrow is put everything back to stock and ask everyones opinions next time. This has just been a pain in the ass. I can take apart an engine and put it back together. I just dunno what's going on with this one. Thanks Haulin IT

[86 chevy silverado]

Sometimes you learn the most by doing everything several times over and/ or making mistakes.
Ask any of us how many times over we've done things till we got it right, its part of learning.
Learn from others mistakes and listen to wise advice when given.

[78 BIG TEN]

Took everything off tonight. In the Heads and valley is massive amounts of buildup. I was planning on just spraying it with brakleen and taking a wire brush to it. Unless you guys can come up with something better.

[VileZambonie]

and where do you think all of that carbon and sludge will end up? BAD IDEA

Get the shop vac and suck up what you can break apart without it falling inside the engine. You might want to change the oil right away too so you don't plug up your pick up tube

[86 chevy silverado]

Yet another reason not to get to serious about this motor.
No brake clean or wire brushes inside the motor...ever.