Need help from people who know carb'd v8's

i always check for spark first..then fuel.

 

Keep in mind that whatever year this engine is, it didn't necessarily come with the HEI distributor to begin with. They are really easy to swap. So don't use the year of the engine to order ignition parts for your HEI unit. A late 70's Camaro or chevy truck would probably have that distributor in it stock.

You can always pull the cap, rotor, coil, module, etc and carry it into the parts store with you. As long as it's a real parts store, there should be someone who can figure out what part numbers you need.

 

Thats a good point.

I have tried to find the original numbers on the engine, and it isn't where its supposed to be, I can only find the reman sticker. When an engine is remanufactured, do they shave the original number off? I searched the reman sticker number and didn't find anything. I will try again though....

I don't believe the choke is working.. there is no knob hooked up, honestly I don't even know which side of the carb the choke cable would be on... I'm going to try and print out some info on the carb from the Edelbrock website, if there is any.

On a different note though, found this one Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/180829752793?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Looks like it will work. Can anyone else verify? I understand cap and rotor may not be the problem, but I'd like to upgrade it anyways, and thats a decent deal if its the right one for my engine. Still searching for plug wires. The ones on it are 8mm.

 

Oh, I understand that going from breaker point ignition to a "breakerless" HEI is no big deal, but the OP has understand what she has (& i think she's getting a grip on things) Once she ID's year of motor (350's cover alot of years so may not even matter) She can go to any parts house & say "Yeah, I got 1969 chevy 350 with HEI ign. & I need a cap with wires."

& this assuming it didn't come with it originally, I'm sure she'll get the right parts. & unless there is a particular reason for the MSD parts, I'd just stay with the GM HEI , it packs a hell of a spark (i've been zapped by a few but this one had me almost blacking out...) solid ,reliable & OEM, just my $.02 good luck

 

Just thought I'd update everyone that I got the truck running this evening, was pretty proud of myself actually!!

I'm not positive of the culprit because I rebuilt the carb, installed different step up springs and accelerator pump, bought new ignition parts, and replaced a bad spark plug wire. But I think it was ignition related because when I pulled the old cap/coil off, I tipped it sideways and coolant came out. Does anyone know how that could happen?

Also, before when the truck was running, it would smoke a nice healthy gray. Now that its fixed it is running better than ever, but its smoking somewhat blue with quite a bit of water being expelled. I don't see it deciding to start burning oil overnight, but any other ideas of what that could be?

Either way, I'm happy its fixed, and can't wait to drive it this weekend now thats it running the way it should! Apparently its been sick since I've owned it and just didn't realize it.. feels like a new truck now.