We've gotta go dyno 2 engines again tomorrow. Makes for a long day. I may run out of energy mid-post.
Ross put his 461 on the pump first and we were really impressed with the power that it made. I'm sure he will post his own write-up later on as well. After lunch, we stuck the 352 on the dyno and went to work.
This thing was a complete variable in what we should expect. I had no clue if the bearings were worn out, if the pistons were worn out, rings were gone, etc. I gave it a quick once-over when it was on the stand, but that was about it. Since we had Ross' engine on the dyno first, it was an easy job to throw the 352 on. I threw the MSD in, bolted the headers on (with bolts and vice-grips), hooked the fuel line up, and away we went.
Keep in mind that I had put fresh plugs in, new wires, new oil/filter, and had primed the pump.
The thing fired IMMEDIATELY and settled down to a nice idle. I set the timing at 36 degrees.
To be honest, I don't remember what the first pull brought us, but it was something low....I'm thinking 150-160 hp.
It was lean, so I richened the carb up and dialed in 42 degrees of timing. We were rewarded with 208 hp.
So for those playing the guessing game, with headers, in stock 2 bbl form, with carb and timing adjusted, it made 208 hp. Surprised me to death.
We weren't done yet, so we popped off the 2100 carb and bolted on a Holley 500 cfm 2-bbl. With the timing still at 42, the Holley carb made us 234 hp.
Not much else to try, we got to work changing the intake manifold. Ross and I had the old intake off, gasket surfaces cleaned, new intake prepped, and ready to fire in just under an hour. With the Blue Thunder intake, a Holley 650 carb, and timing still at 42°, we were rewarded with 264 hp at a whopping 4250 rpm. Torque was at 344 lb-ft.
So, quick recap:
352 as is, with headers, timing/fuel optimized - 208 hp
352, with headers, BT intake, 650 carb, - 264 hp.
What a blast and a sweet little engine. Oil pressure went up to 65 psi through the pull. No abnormal noises and not even any blow-by when I pulled the oil filler cap and held my hand over it.
It was nasty dirty inside though, as I figured it would be. I really hate to swap any parts into it with it as dirty as it is. The thought of sticking a new cam and new lifters in a filthy engine just kinda gives me an icky feeling. I'll think over it some more.
