[kyle_blake]

Sounds similar to my story. So subjective the topic is without having before and after data to compare..

Seat of pants feeling being the gauge and all.

It can get to be a downer trying so many things , going out and driving it hoping for all of a sudden some more action but hopefully it gets sorted and this is the forum that can help, that is for sure.

Of the information I've read on degreeing camshafts and performance the final word in my opinion is if it's with in +4 Advanced from LSA or -4 Retarded from LSA it doesn't ultimately change the 1/4 mile results. As one would expect. I think the torque curve moves 300 rpm forward or backwards based on 2 degree changes? I saw some deep dives on this forum where the writer literally made 2 degree changes , went out and did the 1/4 mile. Now, could the tires spin and grip, track conditions all play a role? Sure. So maybe if your camshaft is installed outside of that 8 degree range from a straight up install then it could be a turd? I wouldn't know. Knowing at least where it is installed is more beneficial then not, though!

- hook up fuel pressure gauge safely, route lines up to your windshield and do a full throttle accel from stand still up till end of 3rd gear, does the psi stay at 5 through out the full run?

- carb full throttle with pedal down to floor?

- try some different distributors

- try some different carbs

- ignition 12v feed

- wires ohm check?

- compression check, dry, wet , dynamic running


For me describing seat of the pants feel in my automatic was. From stand still.

1st gear - traction loss and power spinning fast up to 5000 rpm. just constant "freight train" feeling
2nd gear - RPM'S at shift would come down to 2600 rpm and rise, then when 3000 rpm hit , it was like push you back in seat super exciting up to next shift 5000 rpm. more than freight train!!! I looked forward to it!

Then 3rd gear would just be a constant pull .

Anyway I think Cliff said once , the butt meter can be misleading and lots of engines run down the 1/4 mile freight train with no special "hard pull" and run just as fast as engines that do have that. Something to that effect. Cliff has a lot of experience with cars coming in with owner saying our story.

In the end after all your check lists are complete, perhaps a radical cam change just to see or... in my case... I'm just gonna build another engine all together with a way different recipe.

Keep us posted!!! Excited to hear results as you go through them. Exhaust seems to be a place to investigate too.