Came home from work, got the power steering system all sorted out (no leaks - so far) and said "what the heck, might as well take it out." So I did and it felt good! First time on the road in almost two years. No major issues to sort out that I can tell - she's running good! (Steering isn't coming back to center too well, but assuming the alignment will solve that issue). Went and picked up my Vette buddy a few blocks away and we took it on a little spin. Couldn't go too far since it was getting dark and my headlights were still out of commission (more on that in another post), but came home, got 'em working again and then had to take it out again!
One of the things I'm most amazed about is the relative lack of tuning it seems to need. I rebuilt my Edelbrock Q-jet per Cliff Ruggles' book (highly recommended, BTW) and used his rebuild kit. Set the idle screws three turns out and haven't touched 'em since it's been running. Initial timing is somewhere around 12 or 14 and haven't messed with that much, either. It starts easy, idles sweet with just a bit of lumpiness, cruises well, transitions from idle to cruise well, doesn't ping if I lug it, etc. Pretty pleased about all that. I will do some minor tweaking (advance curve and vacuum gauge tuning) but not much. Don't mess with it if it ain't broke!
Thanks again for everyone's help in this LONGGGGG process. It's been fun, but I'm excited to finally have a driver.
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1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
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