72 C10 - need more power to wheels

[72TXSuperCheyenne]

Just purchased my first "classic." It is a 1972 C10 Super Cheyenne. Engine is a 350 CI, do not believe anything special in regard to heads, cams, inards etc.

It has a Edelbrock high rise intake. I upgraded to a new Edelbrock 600 with electric choke and put headers with 2 1/2 pipes to flow master mufflers.

It has a THM350 3 speed auto and looks like stock 12", 12 bolt rear end.

The engine runs and sounds GREAT. HOWEVER, instead of acceleration expected of a 250-270HP (?) engine, it accelrated like a YUGO at times.

What should i explore for immediate lower cost fixes? Planning on new drive train, 400HP crate engine, 700R4 tranny, and new rear end next year, so do not want to spend too much.

thanks

[Rat Bastid]

retime it and make sure dizzy is tightened down!.......guessin it might be loose

[72TXSuperCheyenne]

Will give that a whirl. It's a HEI, but not high performance one. Maybe go with a better HEI?

[Rat Bastid]

i have hei also and my distributer was loose and lost major power

[1quik70]

I have always run HEI, even on my BBC in the Nova, so i would check the time and make sure its tight. HEI's only weak point in stock form is about 6500 RPM, they tend to fall flat, that can be fixed with a simple module change. I would also do a leak down test, to see how well the rings and heads are sealing. That will cost you soo much power!!! I had a stockish 350 in my 70 CST LWB that had a 12bolt with 3:73's and it was OK but not a rocketship, I had the heads decked, and chagned the intake and carb, and it made a world of difference. The leakdown test will tell the tale, if all is well, you may opt for the crate motor for more power anyway. But it it checks out good, put a cam in to match the RPM range your intake calls for (off idle-5500) and have the heads gone through (>$500), you will most likely have more power thatn you will need. Now if your looking for a 12sec street truck we need to talk some more, but if you just want plenty of power to push these heavy truckls around, my recipe above works great!

[72TXSuperCheyenne]

Thanks 1quik. will let you know!

[72TXSuperCheyenne]

Going to try a brand new MSD Street Fire HEI tomorrow.

[neba]

a new dist will probably do nothing unless something is wrong with old dist. if you have a small yellow wire powering your dist it could be your problem.

[70cst]

Remember these are trucks so don't expect it to run like a muscle car. Good luck. Then again what do I know.

[1quik70]

Originally Posted by 70cst

Remember these are trucks so don't expect it to run like a muscle car. Good luck. Then again what do I know.

Your exactly right, expect it to be faster and hurt some peoples feelings!!! These trucks are heavy, but can be plenty quick. Do a YouTube search for " farm truck", it's a red 69 or 70 with a white topper. Watch a few clips of that one and come back and let me know what you think!

[72TXSuperCheyenne]

I beleive the intake is Edelbrock Performer EPS dual plane manifold.

The feedback i am getting from my mechanic and parts guys is the HEI basic dizzy is not producing enough fire to burn the gas the Edelbrock 1406 600CFM is pumping in.

They both say the MSD Street Fire will do the trick at reasonable cost ($115).

Not looking for it to move like a SS Camaro until i spend some real money next year on the drive line. Just looking to make it respectful until them

['72customdeluxe]

Originally Posted by 72TXSuperCheyenne

I beleive the intake is Edelbrock Performer EPS dual plane manifold.

The feedback i am getting from my mechanic and parts guys is the HEI basic dizzy is not producing enough fire to burn the gas the Edelbrock 1406 600CFM is pumping in.

They both say the MSD Street Fire will do the trick at reasonable cost ($115).

Not looking for it to move like a SS Camaro until i spend some real money next year on the drive line. Just looking to make it respectful until them

a couple of points, better ignition won't fix a rich condition, your engine only takes in as much air as it needs, and the factory carb is 750cfm... Your mechanic is wanting money

[big_al_71]

Originally Posted by 70cst

Remember these are trucks so don't expect it to run like a muscle car. Good luck. Then again what do I know.

Mine Does!!!!! and then some

[72TXSuperCheyenne]

going to get me one of those next year!! plus a 700r4, a new posi rear end, sme Boss 338's, and a lowering!!

[mrh33916]

Is the high rise intake a single or dual plane?

Dual plane intakes build more torque from idle which is what these heavy trucks like.

[72TXSuperCheyenne]

Update - thanks for the feedback. Got the new Street Fire distributer in, replaced the ac delco plugs (r44t to r43ts) and it's running MUCH better.
Still not a street rocket, but it get's out of it's own way now. thanks!!

[C20-67_N_MO]

Good looking truck!

Now you got that power problem fixed you need to work on the stance.

I would do a 4.5/6" static drop on that puppy myself.

Good luck on whatever direction you take it.

[1quik70]

Better ignition won't FIX a rich condition, but it helps burn the fuel that is there. Had the same issue in one of my big blocks, it would run great but ruin plugs, and I narrowed it down to the stock HEI stuff. Changed to MSD Pro Billet, and a 6AL, problem solved! That pickup should move ok, my LWB 70 would flat run with just a stock bottom end and a fresh top end ( cam, intake, and fresh heads). Keep tinkering with it, you'll figure things out!

['72customdeluxe]

sounds like a plan! I would substitute a 2004r for a 700r4 however

[72TXSuperCheyenne]

C20-67- n MO, being new to all this (only had the truck 3 weeks), what would the 4.5/6 look like height wise?

I know you mean down 4.5" in front and 6.0" in rear.

have an example picture?

Once i get the money for the engine/tranny/rear, definetly will upgrade the suspension to withstand the increases power and was planning a lower stance, though not low-rider low.

72 customdelux - will definetly look at the 2004r as well. GOTZ to have O/D for my 7 miles highway drive each day.

thanks guys!

[Original67]

Originally Posted by 72TXSuperCheyenne

C20-67- n MO, being new to all this (only had the truck 3 weeks), what would the 4.5/6 look like height wise?

I know you mean down 4.5" in front and 6.0" in rear.

have an example picture?

Once i get the money for the engine/tranny/rear, definetly will upgrade the suspension to withstand the increases power and was planning a lower stance, though not low-rider low.

72 customdelux - will definetly look at the 2004r as well. GOTZ to have O/D for my 7 miles highway drive each day.

thanks guys!

Do a thread search on lowered trucks. I know that there are some threads bouncing around of dropped trucks just a few weeks ago.