Sea trials

[steve from staten island]

I took the car out of dry dock and took it on sea trials today. All in all i ran much better. Reasonably smooth idle, no hesitation accelerating. Im not thrilled with the brakes but its been a long time since i drove 4 wheel drum. The front end is way out of line, the tires need some air and it seemed to sway a little, so I'm hoping a front end alignment will cure that. I have a Stage 2 feel firm box and I'm thankful i went that route
My only questions are with the Timing of engine. When i pull off the vacuum advance hose there is no vacuum. Nothing coming from carb at idle. I swear there was at one time. I dont know what gives. I have the timing set at a little more than 10 degrees at around 800 RPM. Any suggestions are appreciated. I have to tell you it was nice to drive it several times around the side streets were i live. Even being a 383 with single exhaust and a two barrel it goes when i step on gas. Its a great feeling to drive a car you had in pieces for the first time!

 

[Ironbuilt]

 

[67belvedere/225]

I just put on my stage 2 firm feel box , yet to try it , I'm planning plating the car on the 4 TH

 

[coloradodave]

Steve,
Check the base of your carburetor. There may be a manifold vacuum nipple port (vacuum at idle) in addition to a ported nipple that only gains vacuum as the throttle is opened. In addition, sometimes there is a fitting in the intake manifold itself that allows for hooking up the distributor for manifold vacuum.

 

[Ranger16]

Im not thrilled with the brakes but its been a long time since i drove 4 wheel drum.

Roger that. You'll either get used to them or convert them.

 

[67belvedere/225]

I converted

 

[steve from staten island]

I can see a front disc conversion next winter. On the back brakes i have a question. I have a set of rear brakes the bigger ones, I'm wondering if the backing plates fit the 8 1/4 rear

 

[Kern Dog]

Some 8 1/4" axles use backing plates with 4 bolts. The 8 3/4" used those same bolt holes plus one more at the 6:00 position. The backing plates will swap, you may have to drill the one additional hole if you use the 8 1/4" brakes on an 8 3/4" axle.