TVRPAUL

In putting together my 3.4L crate, I am staying with the cam the engine came with, putting on a Elderbrock intake manafold, with 390 Holley, headers and a Mallory Dist. What should I do if anything with the jetting on the Holley, and what about timing and advance of the dist.

Thanks

See attached picture I hope

AM91Camaro_RS

i'd like to see the pic! as far as jetting, i would leave the jets that are in the carb in it until you see how it runs. just tune it after you get it running...play it 'by ear'. which cam is the "cam that's in it"? as far as timing, i would run as much as it will let you run without significant spark knock. for starters, maybe as much as 25* total advance...??

Project: 85 2.8 bird

get an a/f gauge for some better tuning, and only like $50 or so.

The 3.4 cam is almost a clone to the 2030 cam.

For timing, I've heard of the fabeled Dial back timing light, or a timing light that has that function. It's more expensive than the $20 ones, but all the old skoolers I've talked to swear by it.

AM91Camaro_RS

those timing lights are great! its so much easier to actually see where your timing is.

TVRPAUL

Well this old timer has one of those timing lights, have had it for 20+ years. The cam is the stock cam that came with the 3.4 crate engine. I think is saw somewere on this site that comp cams made it for Chevy.

Project: 85 2.8 bird

4bb carb, headers, torker manifold, msd wire, chrome coil, no pass fender,............

AM91Camaro_RS

that's a nice lookin motor! yeah, what is that in? i'm pretty sure that isn't an f-body. ...that's not a problem, i'm just curious!?!? s-10?

Parrydise7

iTrader: (1)

I guess it's something that doesn't have to be smogged. You know that 4 bbl isn't smog legal, right? But, as I recall, the intake is two-piece. Shouldn't be too difficult to make an occasional swap.

KED85

Work your specs to be like a Small Block Chevy
Meaning
Timing is 10*-14* (stock is to be 10*)
All in by 2800-3400 range.
Jets is correct, leave alone & work forward.
The spring kit should have been supplied with your Mallory distb.
In my 85 Blazer (49 state federal version which is last US vehicle with a vacuum advance distributor non-computerized, except outta country vehicles), I use the lightest springs to come to full advance quickest.
My Blazer timing should be stock or slightly above.
The cam in the 3.4 package was designed by Crane as were valve spring specs.
Great going & nice pic.
Hoping you will run surprisingly strong!

TransAmMike

nice... looks to be in pretty good condition for 20+ years old

TVRPAUL

Thanks all for you comments.

The engine is being put in a 1971 TVR (British sports car)
it weighs all of about 1700 lbs, it has a TKO600 RR, 5 spd.
(much over kill). it will be fired up for the first time this week I hope. It was my turn back timing light that was 20+

KED85

THAT'S GOING IN A VIXEN?
WHAT A GREAT IDEA!
Hold your revs to the 5,000 range & you'll do great!
I can imagine what this engine will do with 1/2 the weight of a F-Body to a haul around!
You'll have plenty of torque for fun!!
I'd only worry about the strength of the rear axle!
Your ride had the British Leyland 4 cylinder, right?

TVRPAUL

That is correct, a Vixin 2500, what I should say it is in. This model came with TR6 straight 6 in it. but that was taken out years ago by a prior owner and was replaced with a Ford Essex V6, 132 HP 175 lbs torque. As long as I am not nailing it off the line I should be fine. The 3.4 will be about 50-75lbs liter the the engine it replaces. the gear box is weighs more, but as you know even 20 lbs less in weight can be a big deal. If I got the picture in this post correct you will see how far back the engine sits in the chassis.
You all have been great and very helpfull to my questions

KED85

The Vexen was the V8 model, right? And the old Buick 215 engine?
Sorry to go off topic but damn haven't seen nor heard of TVR since my reading of them back in EARLY 70's Road & Track Annuals road tests.
Really glad to know one of them is still on road going strong! And stronger! You'll definetly enjoy the 3.4 power! It's a torque monster. All your power tends to come on about 2,800-3,000 RPM (design of the cam). Then it's just a linear climb to topping out about 5,000.

TVRPAUL

I hope no one gets mad and the dialogue. The Griffiths were the original F_ _D 289 monsters w/271 HP. put together in Long Island NY when they went out of business TVR took over with the F_ _d engine and called them Tuscans, there is a guy out in Riverside California who put 2.8 or 3.1 not sure. name is Al Williams. My care was quick with the old Ford Essex V6 it had, and that only dyno at 96.7 HP at the rear wheels, so we all can't wait to see what we get with this engine. There are still a few TVR over here.

KED85

Was this the same guy who also imported the Iso Griffos?
I forgot all this until you sent back the reply. I used to hang out in Long Island (Oyster Bay) back that time frame. But never ran into that place. I only recalled seeing TVR in the tests in Road and Track. Fiberglass bodies or were they aluminum? I know it was a fastback design. Yeah the 289 V8 ones were after the Sunbeam Tigers faded away. Ahh, automotive life before the heavy handed EPA law enforcement of early 1970's!
You're building one bitchin ride.

TVRPAUL

I don't know about the Iso, but it was Griffith Ford I think in Hicksville, Mark Donough (sp) worked for him back in the 60s before he went to bigger and better things. The bodys are fiber glass, with tube frames that is why we are so light. The story is that the Griffith caused Shelby to put the 427 in the cobra because the Griffith with the 289 was faster and cost less then the cobra, and he knew that a 427 would never fit in the Griffith.
Its not a good picture but here is a picture of my car.

Paul

KED85

GREAT HISTORY!
And to also drive the History Lesson.
I did not know the competition between Shelby and the Griffith. Thanks!
Faster than the 289 Cobras? That's TOO SCARY!
Cause I've heard the 289 Cobras were faster than the 427 Cobras! This was from the 289 Cobra owners!

Sorry guys off topic again but
How well did your frame hold up over the years? Yet, I am quite sure your Vixin was kept off the winter time roads!

PS Great score on owneships of one of the Holy Grails of Cross Breeding Hot Rodding of the 60's/70's. Girling brakes? Koni Shocks?

TVRPAUL

I have only had the car 2 years, but have found and spoke to a few of the past owners, including the owner who did the first V6 transplant over 10 years ago. You are what I consider a TRUE CAR GUY, that is a person who has his or hers car that is ther passion but knows about others and enjoys them because they are cars.
The people doing the work on the Chevy conversion just emailed me to say that they will be taking out the car on the road today or thursday. I see there is not much in nice valve covers for our engine, there is the Elderbrock ones and getting a pair of Fiero ones, which I have found.

Paul

TVRPAUL

frame is holding up well, the car had some good prior owners who took care of it, and added to it, such as fuel cell for safty, adjustable front end, big alumnam radator to help cooling. 16" wheels.

KED85

Keep the current ones and add a Chevy Bow Tie in Blue or a Cross Flag circle like on Corvettes of 1970 LT-1 Valve covers. I have stock black ones (like yours) on my 3.4 in my Blazer & plan on the circle cross racing flag addition myself.
Really bitchin ride, really is...

TVRPAUL

To bad we are on opposite coasts, would love to see your work.

In a post on my question it was said to get a a/ f gauge for some better tuning, not sure what an a/f gauge is.

KED85

Air Fuel Gauge-smog check places have them!
One can also use a Vacuum gauge to read highest vacuum readings per Venturi.
I think Holley has that type of information on their website
OR ya can always run over to Motion Performance.
They know what to do!
Wrong state! There has got to be someone in your area that knows how to dial in a Carb.
Here's someone once used in a Corvette Fever article.
IDA Automotive
Morganville NJ
732-591-1245
This place was used to "tune up/add an Accel 300+ ignition set up" onto a 1972 Corvette.
Mentioned in a April 2000 issue.
You are in Summernationals area of Englishtown Raceway. Your help is definetly not too far away!
Enjoy bringing this creation to life!
That is one wicked ride!

FAST RS

Nice Ride.

TVRPAUL

Thanks Fast RS.

KED85 I like your idea on the valve covers and what to put on them. IDAs is just down the road from me, so is the Englishtown Track. That is what I thought a/f was but wanted to make sure.
I am waiting for a report, the car was to be tried on the road today of thursday. can't wait to get it back

KED85

After having built a Cobra kit car, I took it for a ride.
It was really hairy & I barely cracked open the throttle. I was too scared of what a 390 could do insuch a light car. A 390 was easiest to score for the creation I helped make.
Your ride seems to be such a civilzed set up. Balanced & Lethal!
I can only imagine the smile that will be planted when you discover how much power your combination can make!
You lucky dog!
Glad we could all contribute somehow.

rx7speed

all I want to say is pretty......


I will give you my first born, second born, left ******** and my rx7 and honda for that thing if you are willing to trade


gotta love the old cars be it muscle or not some of them are good either way and that one looks to be a beut

rx7speed

also whats this turn back timing light thingy-ma-bobber you guys are talking about and how does it work?

TVRPAUL

Thank you RX7speed.

Well the turn back timing light has a dial that when you point the light at the timing mark and lets say you are timing at 2000 Rpm, as you turn the dial it retards the flash that you will bring the timing mark back to the pointer, you then check the dial and it has the degrees on it so lets say at 2000 RPM you are at 35* when you bring the mark back to the timing pointer it will show the number of degrees the timing is at.
I got mine at Sears 25+ years ago.
Hay guy how was that for discribing the light??

And sorry even with those great part you are offering the car stays with me. I even have stated that after I die, if my wife & daughter don't want the car my niece can have it. LOL

AM91Camaro_RS

thats a pretty good description of the light. i just remembered that its called an "advance iductive timing light". ...i think, anyways.