First Start

[Moparbob]

I would like to start off by thanking all who helped me get to this point. You all know who you are 

Today was the first start of our 73 440 charger. Let me describe the build

440 engine with stock pistons (I think but not sure now that I hear it run  )
508 heads shaved up compression
Lunadi cam http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=LUN%2D60302LK&autoview=sku
Torquer intake with Holley 750
hooker 1 7/8 tuned racing headers


We did the cam break in today running at about 2300-2500 for 30 minutes. Good oil preassure no over heating.
Here are the issues:

Our mopar performance valve covers are leaking here and there. I even used red silicone on them and there still dripping. Any suggestions?

The engine seems just a bit rough. When you run it up it seems better but still a little off. Its only timed by ear. Has new plugs, an old msd coil (gonna be replaced with a accel) and late model distributer (no points) The car sounds good and has plenty of power just still a bit "skippy" also at a low idle it will occasionally backfire out the exuast. The headers are 3" collectors and there open currently.


This is the first time this car has ever moved while in my possession so I am EXTREMELY pleased. So again, thanks and you guy guys have any tips on these few items please jump right in!

[Moparbob]

Ok,

If some one will answer the question about the valve covers I'll drop the "skippy" thing (Seems as though someone didn't shove the plug wires on quite far enough) 

[flyinlow]

Congrats   

Set the timing . 12-15 btdc at idle,vacuum line pluged. Total centrifical advance 34-38 deg. Experiment for peak power without knocking.

Check for vacuum leaks, adjust idle mixture with vacuum guage, best vacuum ,highest rpm.

Change the breakin oil.

[flyinlow]

I have a Lunati 60303 cam . It idles at 800 rpm with about 14-15 inches of vacuum.

Retorque valve covers. Check for leaks.

Sometimes they slip on installing. You might have to pull and check.

Do you have a pcv valve and a breather installed?

[Moparbob]

I have a Lunati 60303 cam . It idles at 800 rpm with about 14-15 inches of vacuum.

Retorque valve covers. Check for leaks.

Sometimes they slip on installing. You might have to pull and check.

Do you have a pcv valve and a breather installed?

Just a pcv valve.

[flyinlow]

You should have a breather on one or both valve covers. The normal blowby can overload the pcv valve alone and cause oil leaks.

[Moparbob]

You should have a breather on one or both valve covers. The normal blowby can overload the pcv valve alone and cause oil leaks.

Wanted one of those fancy looking ones but the MP valve covers are twist in caps and those are push in. Any suggestions?

[Musicman]

Ok,

If some one will answer the question about the valve covers I'll drop the "skippy" thing (Seems as though someone didn't shove the plug wires on quite far enough) 

Those dang things are notorious for leaking... Try this... When using silicon, assemble as usual but don't snug the covers down right away. Let the silicon firm up in place for a while first, then torque them down later.

[Moparbob]

Ok,

If some one will answer the question about the valve covers I'll drop the "skippy" thing (Seems as though someone didn't shove the plug wires on quite far enough) 

Those dang things are notorious for leaking... Try this... When using silicon, assemble as usual but don't snug the covers down right away. Let the silicon firm up in place for a while first, then torque them down later.

Man if they keep this up Im gonna dump them. Never had any problems like this before with other covers. 

[mikepmcs]

Why an accel coil? because it's readily available?  How about an MSD blaster or something else.
Accel might not handle your build. I don't think they like the heat in some cases.  I'm not an expert on this by any stretch, I've just read some things and I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
Reminder, I need to do the exact same thing with the PCV breather thing.  Ron's told me that before but I didn't drive the car last year except once so I'm exonerated.

[Moparbob]

Why an accel coil? because it's readily available?  How about an MSD blaster or something else.
Accel might not handle your build. I don't think they like the heat in some cases.  I'm not an expert on this by any stretch, I've just read some things and I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

hee hee,,I like the color?  I have mounted the coil on the passengers side firewall so heat should not be an issue. I'll look into the MSD

[mikepmcs]

As I understand it, it's not always where the coil is located that reflects the issue with heat on this coil.  It just plain sucks.  No matter where you put it, you sit at a stop light in Virginia in the dead of summer and that thing is baking under there and it's gonna break down.  They are cheaply made and have very inconsistent ohm readings as well right from the factory.  Think Sparkomatic verse Harman Cardan, ok maybe not that extreme but you get the idea. 

[firefighter3931]

Bob, glad to hear the beast is up and running. 

On the valvecovers ; you need a breather on the side opposite the pcv valve. There are lots of choices for a twist-on breather. make sure you have baffles under both the breather and pcv valve. If your MP covers don't have them just order a set up and install....the kit comes with 2 plates and 6 self tapping screws. There are bosses inside the valvecovers for this baffle installation. 

Gaskets ; i use the rubber gaskets and silicone them to the valvecover side only. Let the RTV set up overnight....this will keep the gasket in place when you tighten them down and prevent gasket shift. Make sure you don't tighten them down too much and be careful of the lower end bolts....you don't need to break off an ear.

Coils : the accel will work OK but it's not my first choice. Mounted on the inner fender is better to isolate it from vibration.



Ron

[General_01]

I found a twist on breather at Checkers. If you need one quick, look there.

[Moparbob]

Bob, glad to hear the beast is up and running. 

On the valvecovers ; you need a breather on the side opposite the pcv valve. There are lots of choices for a twist-on breather. make sure you have baffles under both the breather and pcv valve. If your MP covers don't have them just order a set up and install....the kit comes with 2 plates and 6 self tapping screws. There are bosses inside the valvecovers for this baffle installation. 

Gaskets ; i use the rubber gaskets and silicone them to the valvecover side only. Let the RTV set up overnight....this will keep the gasket in place when you tighten them down and prevent gasket shift. Make sure you don't tighten them down too much and be careful of the lower end bolts....you don't need to break off an ear.

Coils : the accel will work OK but it's not my first choice. Mounted on the inner fender is better to isolate it from vibration.



Ron

Thanks,

I'm gonna re set the covers today. They were leaking everywhere. I bought some gaskets but they were pretty hard rubber and thick. I'm gonna see what else is available. Also these covers I reconditioned so their not new. Perhaps over tightening may have ruined them. Ill put a straight edge on them as well. First I thought the main seal was leaking but it was actually oil going down the back driver side and looping toward the bell housing.

[Moparbob]

I found a twist on breather at Checkers. If you need one quick, look there.

Thanks,

No checkers here but Advance Auto Zone and Orelie's so one might have it.

[Moparbob]

Update,

I took off the covers, bought me some new gaskets, got a breather. The old/brand new gaskets were very hard sorta rubber but brittle. If you bent them at all they would break. I think they may have been around to long or something. The new ones are more flexible and supple 

I siliconed them to the covers and waiting till later to bolt them on. Use any goop on the block side or not?

How tight it is tight enough on the bolts?

[mikepmcs]

I don't see a need to do the head side. You have the rubber gaskets right?  Just snug them down with a quarter inch ratchet using one hand.  7 ft pounds on a 440.

[Moparbob]

Well I went back at looked at Thai gaskets and they had semi rubber like the ones that leaked and cork. Being sorta old school we always used cork valve cover gaskets. Anyway I put em on and they don't leak a drop so were good to go!

[firefighter3931]

Anyway I put em on and they don't leak a drop so were good to go!

Good news ! 

From your description the first set of gaskets had been sitting on the shelf for a long time and were vulcanized. 



Ron

[Moparbob]

Anyway I put em on and they don't leak a drop so were good to go!

Good news ! 

From your description the first set of gaskets had been sitting on the shelf for a long time and were vulcanized. 



Ron

Yea the ears were kinda long 

[mikepmcs]

sorry about the valve cover gaskets earthling  nanu nanu or whatever they say.

[Steve P.]

It's been many years since my racing days, but as I remember it the accel coils bench tested on top. It was the guys that were drag racing and rally racing that found the big accel coils to short out due to vibrations.  Many of the rally guys had a pair of them in series due to their failure. When the MSD coils hit the scene accel all but fell off the edge of the Earth... I really don't remember them having heat issues. Matter of fact I think they advertised back then that the accel coil withstood more than twice the heat of other coils.   

You would think with the size of them they would have plenty of cushion.....

[flyinlow]

Not had good luck with accel.  :

If you mount any coil on the fender, it will stay cooler and vibrate less. Both pluses for anything electrical. Mount nose up to reduce chance of internal oil leaking if you coil has oil in it.

Carry a spare coil wire in toolkit in trunk. A good idea even with a short coil wire.