New crate motor, some questions...

[xtreme80]

Alright guys, I got my new crate motor in, but for a 300hp motor, the thing is a pig, and idles horribly. I know I got some things hooked up wrong, so I had a couple questions.

First, will the harmonic balancer off my old SBC work with the crate motor? My problem is that the timing mark on the balancer doesn't line up correctly with what the timing light shows, so my timing is way off, and I have no way to set it. The balancer is keyed, so I know it's installed correctly. I'm just starting to think that maybe I need a new balancer.

Second question is a picture request. If possible, could someone get me a good clear picture of under their hood, without the air cleaner on. I'm running a factory Rochester Q-Jet, so I kinda need a routing diagram for all the emissions and vaccuum hoses.

Third may also be a picture request too. Occasionally, on my truck, all the electrical in the truck will shut down, kill the lights, kill the stereo, and kill the truck for a few seconds. It seems to sputter when it does this, but then it comes back on with no problem and runs fine again. Any obvious reasons it could be doing this?

And last but not least... Right now the PCV valve isn't hooked up and the hole for the valve is plugged. Could this cause my horrible idle and weak motor, or could it have any effect on it? Could all of the above mentioned items have a major effect on why my truck isn't performing like it should?

I just got done tonight, so I don't have alot of the details ironed out in the engine, but I thought I would ask for help on this all as well. Sorry for the long post, and I appreciate any help anyone can give!

[SCOTI]

First, will the harmonic balancer off my old SBC work with the crate motor? My problem is that the timing mark on the balancer doesn't line up correctly with what the timing light shows, so my timing is way off, and I have no way to set it. The balancer is keyed, so I know it's installed correctly. I'm just starting to think that maybe I need a new balancer.

Different year engines used different timing covers which required different timing marks on the balancer. The stock cover on my rebuilt 350 had the timing 'tab' interfering w/the water pump which required an aftermarket timing tab. When I installed the new timing tab, I had to move the TDC timing mark 30° in order to time TDC correctly. Make sure you have the correct timing tab/balancer combo.

Third may also be a picture request too. Occasionally, on my truck, all the electrical in the truck will shut down, kill the lights, kill the stereo, and kill the truck for a few seconds. It seems to sputter when it does this, but then it comes back on with no problem and runs fine again. Any obvious reasons it could be doing this?

Check the condition of the fuseable links which are typically located down by the starter and exhaust. The exhaust could be heating things up & causing issues but once it cools down the problem mysteriously disappears.

And last but not least... Right now the PCV valve isn't hooked up and the hole for the valve is plugged. Could this cause my horrible idle and weak motor, or could it have any effect on it? Could all of the above mentioned items have a major effect on why my truck isn't performing like it should?

The engine needs to vent. If it's not able to vent it can mess w/the idle quality. Your last statement sums it all up.

[84slopwaggin]

Scoti said it well. The motor if tuned properly should be pretty peppy for a stock setup. When you get it all ironed out you will be really happy with your investment.