69RavenConv 286 Report post Posted June 23, 2008 I fired up the newly rebuilt 302 for the first time yesterday. What a sweet feeling!! The car was last licensed in 1989 and hasn't been started since the early 90's. It's my first engine rebuild, although I got a lot of knowledgeable help. The warmed-over roller cam, four-barrel and dual exhaust give it a real sweet rumble. It looks like the only problems are a leaky thermostat housing and a vacuum leak somewhere in the intake (it refuses to idle). I may pull the intake/carb off this week and re-dress all the gaskets. Still, what a great feeling to hear it run after all this time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grabber70Mach 107 Report post Posted June 23, 2008 Congrats that's great, post some pics when you get the chance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69RestoRod 10 Report post Posted June 24, 2008 Spray some carb cleaner around the manifold and see if the rpm picks up. Might be the carb base leaking not the intake. Sure is easier to change a carb gasket than the whole manifold. But my money is going to be on the rear intake manifold gasket where it mates to the block. I'll double my bet if you used the cork gasket. Most folks just use a good heavy line of silicone sealer, while I've seen an engine builder dimple the block with a round punch to hold the cork in place. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69RavenConv 286 Report post Posted June 25, 2008 Well I did use the cork gasket, but it seems to me that one seals the top of the block, and wouldn't cause a vacuum leak (oil leak, sure, but not vacuum) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69RavenConv 286 Report post Posted July 13, 2008 Quick update - the problem was not a vacuum leak, it was in the idle circuit of the Holley carburetor. I rebuilt it myself and can't for the life of me find the defect, but replacing the carb fixed the problem completely. She idles like a champ now! I'll post some pics soon, as now it's on to the interior and paint job.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69RavenConv 286 Report post Posted July 13, 2008 Quick update - the problem was not a vacuum leak, it was in the idle circuit of the Holley carburetor. I rebuilt it myself and can't for the life of me find the defect, but replacing the carb fixed the problem completely. She idles like a champ now! I'll post some pics soon, as now it's on to the interior and paint job.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69RavenConv 286 Report post Posted July 27, 2008 Here's a shout of the engine compartment with the newly replaced carb and homemade throttle bracket... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69RavenConv 286 Report post Posted July 27, 2008 Here's a shout of the engine compartment with the newly replaced carb and homemade throttle bracket... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GT350 16 Report post Posted July 28, 2008 Excellent stuff now where are the pics? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GT350 16 Report post Posted July 28, 2008 Excellent stuff now where are the pics? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d.reese 13 Report post Posted July 29, 2008 Nice job, looks great. Post a video so we can hear that CHAMP! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d.reese 13 Report post Posted July 29, 2008 Nice job, looks great. Post a video so we can hear that CHAMP! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unfrozen1969 11 Report post Posted July 29, 2008 I agree, more pics please.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unfrozen1969 11 Report post Posted July 29, 2008 I agree, more pics please.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
