New crate motor, some questions...

[xtreme80]

Alright guys, I got my new crate motor in, but for a 300hp motor, the thing is a pig, and idles horribly. I know I got some things hooked up wrong, so I had a couple questions.

First, will the harmonic balancer off my old SBC work with the crate motor? My problem is that the timing mark on the balancer doesn't line up correctly with what the timing light shows, so my timing is way off, and I have no way to set it. The balancer is keyed, so I know it's installed correctly. I'm just starting to think that maybe I need a new balancer.

Second question is a picture request. If possible, could someone get me a good clear picture of under their hood, without the air cleaner on. I'm running a factory Rochester Q-Jet, so I kinda need a routing diagram for all the emissions and vaccuum hoses.

Third may also be a picture request too. Occasionally, on my truck, all the electrical in the truck will shut down, kill the lights, kill the stereo, and kill the truck for a few seconds. It seems to sputter when it does this, but then it comes back on with no problem and runs fine again. Any obvious reasons it could be doing this?

And last but not least... Right now the PCV valve isn't hooked up and the hole for the valve is plugged. Could this cause my horrible idle and weak motor, or could it have any effect on it? Could all of the above mentioned items have a major effect on why my truck isn't performing like it should?

I just got done tonight, so I don't have alot of the details ironed out in the engine, but I thought I would ask for help on this all as well. Sorry for the long post, and I appreciate any help anyone can give!

[Lt.Del]

This is from a 79.  I can supply more pics later..,.

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

[xtreme80]

Hey man thanks for the pictures!  They aren't completely what I need, but I saw two obvious mistakes with my setup.  Thanks!

[xtreme80]

Actually the more I look at it, it's almost exactly what I need.  Thanks again!

[Lt.Del]

Well, check this out


www.delbridge.net/vacuum.html

Instead of putting two dozen pics on this thread, I made a site with many of the pics for vacuum and the like

I recently put a 383 stroker in my 79 big 10 chevy pickup and took many pics with my digital camera so that I would know how everything went back together.  I wanted to keep it as stock as possible with emissions,egr, etc...Check it out here.

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

Edited by: SgtDel  at: 2/19/07 12:44 pm

[Lt.Del]

Quote:Third may also be a picture request too. Occasionally, on my truck, all the electrical in the truck will shut down, kill the lights, kill the stereo, and kill the truck for a few seconds. It seems to sputter when it does this, but then it comes back on with no problem and runs fine again. Any obvious reasons it could be doing this

Check you positive red wire from battery.  Follow it to your starter.  Is it connected to the starter bolt ok?  Is it loose?  Ensure it doesn't touch any other metal around the starter terminals....chevys are known for little room for these wires there.

Just check your other batter connections and other wire connections....something is loose.  

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

[Lt.Del]

Quote:First, will the harmonic balancer off my old SBC work with the crate motor? My problem is that the timing mark on the balancer doesn't line up correctly with what the timing light shows, so my timing is way off, and I have no way to set it. The balancer is keyed, so I know it's installed correctly. I'm just starting to think that maybe I need a new balancer.

A small block balancer is a small block balancer.  It should be fine as long as your motor is not vibrating wildly.

the markers on sbc do change a little.  Take the metal markers for timing off the donor engine. Or, find TDC and put a mark in yellow on the balancer ---in other words, scrap the mark on you balancer now if you want to use your exisiting marks above the balancer for timing.  

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

[Lt.Del]

Quote:And last but not least... Right now the PCV valve isn't hooked up and the hole for the valve is plugged. Could this cause my horrible idle and weak motor, or could it have any effect on it? Could all of the above mentioned items have a major effect on why my truck isn't performing like it should

Oh yes, if the port on carb isn't plugged, terrible vacuum leak.  Drving it without pcv valve is not advisable.  The pressures in the crank case can become great and gaskets can blow.  

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

Edited by: SgtDel  at: 2/19/07 1:08 pm

[xtreme80]

Quote:Check you positive red wire from battery. Follow it to your starter. Is it connected to the starter bolt ok? Is it loose? Ensure it doesn't touch any other metal around the starter terminals....chevys are known for little room for these wires there.

I actually found the culprit for this one.  Turns out some of the smaller wires were running down towards my starter, and rubbing on the exhaust.  The exhaust heated them up, and shorted a couple out.  That's also why my stereo has been going nuts coming on and off and doing random things.  

I should have this all ironed out tonight!

Oh and Andy, I talked to the chevy dealership along with jegs and both said the balancer changed from 79-80, and m ine's an 80 with a 79 motor.  Hah, just my luck.  I'm going to pick up the new balancer, but I'm going to double check the part numbers on teh two to make sure they're different when I go.

[Lt.Del]

Quote:balancer changed from 79-80, and m ine's an 80 with a 79 motor

I am curious if all the change was in the timing mark to line up with the marks above for timing purposes.  As long as it balances the crank and flywheel, it does its job.

Sounds like you got a grip on it.  Good luck.

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

[Lt.Del]

Yeah, those wires can get really close to the exhaust pipe and melt and short.  From the factory it came with a little metal tube that the wires going to the starter ran through.....




ignore the oil leak....this is from my old 350 that was replaced by the 383 stroker





But, some people take these off when changing starters or engines or whatever.  I kept mine on when putting in my stroker engine.

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

Edited by: SgtDel  at: 2/19/07 1:54 pm

[xtreme80]

After jacking it up, I found something.  In the first picture, the wire at the very top is the one that melted all the way through.  

Also, I know I'm going to play the blame game here, but my buddy is the one that connected the power wire for the starter, and when he did, he left it resting on the exhaust manifold.  Yeah, it's burned up and melted pretty bad.  I'm on my way to the parts store to pick up some 10 guage wire and make my own power wire.

As for the balancer, I believe you're right, that the only difference is the timing mark.  Also it could be that the rubber on the inside of the balancer is messed up, allowing the timing mark to move.  The only reason that doesn't make sense, is because I was able to time the truck 3 weeks ago with my old engine and the old balancer.  

I'll just have to wait for my mechanic (my dad) to get home, and see what's going on.  I really appreciate all the help with everything buddy!

[xtreme80]

Update:

Got most of my problems fixed, but only ran into more.

When trying to put the balancer on the crank, the bolt that holds it on stripped out, and now the crank may be ruined.

We tried a tap and die, and it only fixes a quarter of the threads.  A helie coil won't be strong enough either.  

So if the new bolt I get won't hold it up tomorrow, then the crank is ruined.

This is the second most depressing day in my life.

[Lt.Del]

Quote:This is the second most depressing day in my life.

And the first???


Sorry to hear about that---those 5/8 bolts aren't designed to take too much tightening---gotta b careful.

Hope for the best.  Keep us posted.

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

[xtreme80]

The first being when my fiance left me for someone else.  

I'm praying I can get this done tomorrow.  i have so much riding on this.  Thanks for the support though man.