Tom Carter

I have heard the Leeds is the best. Not much difference in the price. I would have sprung for the difference if I know how much better the pedal is. I can say its a whole new world. I may change it out down the road

There are rubber insulators on the mounting block. I added more though. Wanted to make sure it didn't vibrate.

I installed the vacuum pump from Summit racing. It is a touch loud. I currently don't mind. SUM-760152 is the part number. I understand the Leed pump is a quieter unit. They also sell that at Summit. I didn't get that one first because I didn't know how the pump would or would not work. If my Summit unit fails I would try the Leed pump next

So in speaking with Bob 71, he convinced me to put a vacuum pump in for my brake booster. With the cam I put in there isn't much vacuum produced by the engine. My brake pedal was not great. Seemed stiff when hitting the brakes. I appreciate Bob giving me the advice to install the vacuum pump. My brake pedal feels great now. I feel like I have much better braking power with not as much effort. If anyone is debating this, don't hesitate. I installed in in the fender well on the driver's side. Ran the hose behind the fender as well as the wiring. It fit well and is a clean look. To be honest it is concealed well. If you didn't know what you were looking at you wouldn't notice it at all. It is a touch noisy but I think that's just because it's new. I bet after a short time I won't hear it at all. Again, thanks to Bob 71 for the advice.

I need to update my pictures. My dash and kick panels are done. It came out great

I had to replace the head liner to change the color. The trim in the ceiling was able to be painted same as the dash and kick panels. Take the front windshield out when you change the liner. It isn't necessary but it does make life easier

Hello all, I have been thinking about replacing the th400 with an over drive type transmission. Of course with that I plan on changing to 3:55 rear gears. I haven't heard enough research to make any kind of a decision so I was looking for input. The engine is a 350 with about 400 hp. I have talked a little at different shows and keep hearing different information. Because I have the th400 I was hoping not to modify the dive shaft. I was hoping to keep the th400 and drive shaft I am currently using. Is the 700r4 about the same size and the th400. I have heard the 200r4 is about the same size as the th350. That could be wishful thinking. If modifying the drive shaft is necessary I will probably just find a different one to modify. Is the 200r4 easier to install than the 700r4 or they about the same. Which unit is a better and easier to repair. I have done nothing to get this going other than ask people there opinion. Also what are the thoughts on the 3:55 gears. I do drive on the high way a lot so I don't want go to crazy. 4 1/2 hours down 81 to get to Carlisle Pa. As always appreciate the help and input.

Great. I will definitely give that a try. I do love Harbor Freight. Like a kid in a candy story. Never thought to look at them for a timing light. I would rather have one with the dial advance. Thank you. Appreciate the input.

How is the engine starting when at 12 degrees. It is starting fine at the moment but I'm open to trying other things. Just want to make sure I don't have a starting issue. I do have a high torque starter. Love that thing. So much better than the old bulky one.

I had an hei in the engine before. I can't say how old it is or if its gm or after market. I did do the job for the last 25 or so years. I want to get some timing tape for the balancer so I can check the total timing and such. I bought a different balancer that was indicated but the stub shaft was to long and it hurt my pully alignment. That is going to be my next step.

So last year I did a rebuild and upgrade on the 350. I was easy on it last year because I don't want to beat a just rebuilt engine until it has some break in miles on it. This spring I took the car out of the garage and found there is an oil leak on the passenger side of the engine. it was coming down the head and dripping on the header. I assumed it was an intake leak just because I could see any leaking from the valve cover. So the weather got a little colder and I didn't want to drive it with any possible salt on the road. I decided to pull the carb, distributor, and use an inspection mirror to try to find the leak. I could see it was around the distributor area. The back of the intake looked good so I left that alone. I decided to pull the passenger side valve cover and reseal it anyway just because I was there and it was an easy time to do it. I pulled the fitting for the oil gage and resealed that. I read in a thread somewhere that it is possible that because of an after market intake and an after market distributor there is a possibility that the shaft is a touch to long and bottoming out. Or the machine surfaces are not perfect. So I decided to replace the distributor with an Accel complete unit. Double gasketed the distributor shaft seal. Reassembled the rest of the engine. It sat for a few weeks while the weather improved. I did start it prior to yesterday just to see if the oil leak was cured. It did see to be. I took it out of the garage yesterday to test drive it. I let the engine warm up and adjusted the timing to about 10 degrees. When I took it up the road it felt like a different engine. I was very surprised at how much power it seem to have right off the bat. My question is, is it possible that a different distributor could make that much difference. The new distributor was complete meaning cap, rotor, and coil. The performance was much better and even the idle in gear was much better. I can't believe that my old distributor was a problem but I wish I changed it last year when I did the overhaul. Has anyone ran into this kind of thing before? I would love to hear you guys input on this one. Sorry for rambling.

Appreciate the heads up information. Did you use the speakers that came with the kick panels or did you purchase your own. I would hope they would accommodate for clearance issues but we all know how aftermarkets stuff can be.

That looks fantastic. I notice the speakers in the kick panels. How do you like that? I was thinking of doing the same thing. I noticed them at OPG

I have been and Edelbrock fan since the 90's I put the new AV2 on the engine last year. its a 650 instead of the 600. there is total throttle response. It drives like a throttle body fuel injected engine in my opinion. Edelbrock is much easier to jet up. You don't have to disassemble the carb to play with the jets. In fact, you don't have to remove the carb at all. I respect Holly but you seem to have more adjustments to maintain. I set up my AV2 and its good until I fool around with it because I want to. Not because I have to.

Well hope the camping weather is as nice as the nationals weekend was. Enjoy your trip.