priorities....

[labrat]

Need a quick opinion here on which direction I should go next. A little background: 81 280 ZX w/ a 350/TH350. points type dizzy with a new shortblock and old, leaky, just-get-it-running heads. My problem: Ignition misfires caused by oil fouling of the plugs. So bad that wet oil is on the plugs when I remove them. Nice, clean, wet oil. I have recently ditched the points for a pertronix ignitor mag trigger, and tossed the 750 edelbrock carb for a holley pro jection analog TBI system. Should I next

A: Get an MSD ignition box and coil for better spark to keep the plugs clean

B: finally buy a vortec compatible intake to run my brand new heads (without leaky valve seals)

C: Get a high torque mini starter to get rid of the starter noise (grinding)

 

These all cost about the same, and are all I can afford this paycheck. Which would you do?

[RPMS]

Personally, I wouldn't dump any more money into the motor until you get the head issue resolved. A good gear reduction starter is about a third the price of Vortec heads/intake. An MSD box won't keep your plugs from fouling, although they may keep running for a while longer.

 

If you absolutely must spend money right now, I'd say to buy some spark plug anti-fouling adapters out of the "HELP" section of Pep Boys and a case of straight 30 weight oil to help a bit with the consumption.

 

Getting new valve guide seals put into your junker heads wouldn't be all that much money, I think. Check it out.

[Guest greimann]

Get the new intake to run the vortec heads. Your starter issue may just need shims and not total replacement. If you feel it is necessary to put money into ignition, get a non-computer GM HEI. In my opinion, aftermarket high energy ignition like MSD, Jacobs and the like are not worth the money for the fraction of a HP they might give.

[labrat]

I'm leaning toward the intake as well. I already have the heads laying in the garage. Brand new, never ran, with brand new stainless steel swirl polished valves. All I need is a manifold and gaskets. Sounds like a nice weekend to me! Anyone have a recommedation for an intake to use with vortec heads, 2" stock manifolds, and a crane energizer 272/272 advertised duration cam with .454/.454 lift? Should I go with the performer or the performer RPM style? Air gap? Got efi now, Vic JR?

[Guest Anonymous]

I agree with greimann...Get an Hei too... Bill what do you mean ..you tossed that red 750 Edelbrock...go pick it up and trade it off with that red distribitor points cap..

[Guest greimann]

When selecting your manifold, make sure you consider hood clearance because anything taller than a Performer is going to be a tight fit, unless you go hood scoop.

[labrat]

No tomohawk, still got the Big Red Ed, i actually traded a holley for the injection. with the pro jection (BTW, how do you like the digital version, griemann?) I'm hoping at least a performer RPM will fit with a drop base air cleaner. The lid of my air cleaner is actually even with the top of the throttle body when everything is tightened down with a 3" element. I had a performer intake with a 1" squarebore adapter on top with an edelbrock carb and the same aircleaner, and it worked OK. I just gotta be sure to leave 1/2" or so of extra clearance for the spray plate.

[Guest greimann]

The Edelbrock site and their catalog have manifold height dimensions so you can tell where your hood clearance is going to be. Considering that a regular syle Performer is the baseline, a Performer Vortec is .525" taller and a Performer RPM Vortec is .675" taller.

 

I like my Holley 4Di just fine now, although I would like to have the Commander 950 because it is so much more adjustable. Initially it was very frustrating because it was a total learning curve. You may find that your analog system may have some shortcommings, but since you have a fairly tame cam, it shoud be OK, but I would immagine you will want to step up to a digital system sometime.