It does have vacuum advance. Cranking compression test needs done again as my guys didn't do it properly ( in my opinion ). Balancer is correct ( has big counter weight, typical 454 ). I am so far beyond "basic" it's unreal ( see "41 Willy's 468 overheats" thread ).travis wrote: ↑Mon Oct 16, 2017 2:35 pm Does it have vacuum advance? Have you done a cranking compression check (it sounds like this would tell you a lot in this situation)? Have you verified TDC on the balancer is correct? Basic stuff I know but sometimes the little things can kick your ass.
Have you tried dropping the pipes and see what difference open headers will make? Severe exhaust restriction can certainly cause overheating too. How does it idle and drive? Does it feel off or really down on power?
Am going to button engine back up and drive with open exhaust tomorrow or this afternoon. Idles great, driving has a slight rpm vibration but cannot find any obvious cause ( reversion? ). Flex plate looks correct ( 454 w/big weight, typical ), balancer good, pistons in correct direction, not the converter ( ran w/converter disconnected ), does it in Park so not driveline. Power doesn't seem great for a big engine but it isn't noticeably lagging, no flat spots in acceleration so AFR not real lean anyway. It' does feel off but that was with cam degreed +4 and I am putting that back where it was. With oil pan off, bottom of rods would make it appear that at least a balance was "attempted"?
Either way, with the slow burn set up ( low CR + this cam shaft ), just want to get it to cool better with rpm.
FYI, radiator new and over sized, new and perfect/correct w/p, plenty of fuel to the carb, plenty of fan and well shrouded.
The cam/compression ratio combo is what I am down to having to fight based on earlier posts. I have removed all exhaust restrictions but just gotta get her back together for another test drive. I cannot improve on the engine internals at this juncture so am trying to overcome the combo that it has now.
Any thoughts on ignition upgrade that would help speed up the "burn" in the chamber? Has MSD distributor w/vacuum adv ( not points ) and just a typical looking "Blaster" coil.