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My new stock stroke 400 build

Due to my overheating problems, I decided to add a coolant recovery tank. The issue is finding some real estate to mount it. The driver's side is out due to the battery tray and my headlight relays. On the passenger side I have the horns occupying a lot of the space. I found a 3 inch round by 10 inch deep stainless steel tank that might work. Looking around I found that my towel roll was down to exactly 3 inches by 11 inches, so it became the template. I also found that if I spaced out the lower horn bracket about two inches it would clear. I happened to have some 2X3 tubing left over so I cut a small spacer. The upper horn is okay. A quick test fit and I think I will be good to go! When I have the rad recored I will have them turn the filler neck so the outlet faces the passenger side.

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I finished the stand off bracket, and gave it and the horns a quick coat of paint.

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I got the horns back in place tonight, and test fitted the recovery tank. It is pretty much a press fit in between the rad frame and the horn brackets. The lower tab is resting up against the lower horn bracket, and the upper tab is resting on top of the upper horn bracket. For now I will probably just add a zip tie on the top. When I get the rad recored I may end up slotting the lower tab so it slides up over the lower horn bracket and modify the upper tab to bolt it directly to the existing hole in the upper horn bracket.

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I got a bracket figured out so everything is now in place and secured. Gotta love the orange hose the kit comes with. It will be changed out after I get the overflow switched around on the rad .

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I originally pulled the stock 68 jets out of my 600 Holley and replaced them with 66's. I felt like it was a bit lean at cruise, so I put the 68's back in. That plus my changing to a 10.5 power valve seemed to cure the problem. I knew my overheating issue could be caused by running lean but it ran well. I really didn't know how to read the plugs properly. I watched a video on reading plugs today and decided to pull one to check. It appears I was still lean. I have swapped the jets to 70's, so we'll see how it works. The ground strap seems to indicate I could use more timing. It is set at around 35 degrees total plus vacuum advance, so I may have to add some more.

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qkcuda said:
I originally pulled the stock 68 jets out of my 600 Holley and replaced them with 66's. I felt like it was a bit lean at cruise, so I put the 68's back in. That plus my changing to a 10.5 power valve seemed to cure the problem. I knew my overheating issue could be caused by running lean but it ran well. I really didn't know how to read the plugs properly. I watched a video on reading plugs today and decided to pull one to check. It appears I was still lean. I have swapped the jets to 70's, so we'll see how it works. The ground strap seems to indicate I could use more timing. It is set at around 35 degrees total plus vacuum advance, so I may have to add some more.

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Yeah, reading spark plugs is a bit if an art. I'm still at the fairly basic level and have to go for internet pictures when I read them :poke:
 
I'll check again once I put some miles on with the new jets. A fellow on A Bodies thought they did not look lean?
 
Dave, I think 70 jets are still lean for a stock big block.

I have 72's in my 800 that's on my 360 engine and they are in the correct range color wise.
I personally think a big block needs more than a 600cfm carb, but that's me.

Yes, put some miles on it - Hopefully I'll see you that the Ruthven Manor show this Monday - Weather looks good so I'll have my Runner there.
 
I plan on being at Ruthven, but we have a busy weekend and I may not have a chance to drive it before the show. See you there!
We dyno'd the motor with a 650 DP and according to the data that was plenty of carburetor. This engine has stock heads and a mild cam that tops out by 5000 rpm. It has delivered the low end torque and driveability I was looking for though. The 600 has proved to have very good street manners. We'll step the jets up one size at a time and keep checking the plugs.
 
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