This is about my 83 Regal with the 305 whose origin is unknown.

So after messing with the jets on the carb and turning the distributor to get the rpms to first go past 2.5k, and then upwards without popping (everybody was telling me to turn the distributor the wrong way!... lucky I'm stubborn) I see smoke coming from my defrogger vents.

My radiator is cool to the touch, the upper radiator hose is very firm like the thermostat is not opening (removing soon for temporary reasons) and I'm seeing dripping coolant coming from where the AC lines run to. If I'm seeing coolant from the outside and steam on the inside, would it be a core or something else?

Also, if any of you have owned one of these cars, or something similar, how to I get to that area? I've tried, but no such luck.

Defrogger?


Yeah heater core. Bypass it.

Just bypass the heater core, you don't need that shit anyway :P

Does the steam smell sweet, like antifreeze? Seriously, though, I'd bypass it asap and change out that t-stat (or leave it out for testing).

Once it's bypassed, and the motor's cold, open up the radiator and start it up. Verify that you can see water flowing through the tank/core of the radiator.

It may be the t-stat, but may also be the water pump. Both of which are simple on RWD V8's. Welcome to the simple world of old-skool V8's.

I would do that today, but my goal is getting the Trailblazer up in running condition with all 6 cylinders firing instead of 5 firing and 1 missing.

Also... The Regal needs a new starter or starter solonoid first. She was towed home yesterday because the starter motor kept spinning, the only way to get it to stop was to disconnect the battery. I'm thinking that the leaking coolant somehow got into it and wreaked some havoc.

EDIT: She gets up to 6k rpms now.

6k is a lot for that motor. Honestly, I'd keep it in the 5000-5500 range for shifting. I've got a built and balanced motor that I shift at 6300.

When the starter hangs, that's the solenoid about 90% of the time. However, I believe on GM vehicles of that era it's down on the starter like it is on the 2gnt.

And as far as messing with the distributor, you really need to get it timed properly with a timing light. It's so simple it's not even funny.

Yeah starter and solinoid are one on all small block chevy's. Starter should be around 60-80.00 IIRC.

Get a timing light and get that adjusted correctly. Order a ZZ3 crate motor and be done with it.

Terry

Originally posted by Star Turbo Talon
Yeah starter and solinoid are one on all small block chevy's. Starter should be around 60-80.00 IIRC. Get a timing light and get that adjusted correctly. Order a ZZ3 crate motor and be done with it. Terry

502

I'm somehow missing the little plate that gives the timing on it... hmm.

Who cares if I blow it, I'm planning on putting a LS1 or LS2 into it and either supercharging or turbocharging it. Yes, new school technology in an old school car!

And for the shifting, the transmission in it will only let it get up to 3500rpms before it shifts, unless I use the column shifter like a stick.

Check to see if there's a kick-down lever (or T/V cable) attached to the throttle on the carb that connects to the transmission. If there's not one there, it shifts too early and won't down gear under acceleration.

As far as the timing plate, you could probably find that on 1000 different cars at a junk yard.

Ahh! I do have the kick down cable, but it's out of adjustment now because I had to make an adjustment to the throttle cable because it would not go to WOT.

That is another goal of mine, get the kickdown cable attached again.