New crate 454
Last month I broke the crank in my 1988 Winnebago Super Chief. It had only 57,000 miles on it. I located a GM crate engine 454. I took my time and installed the engine piece by piece. I went with a n...
Forum Discussion
wnjj wrote:Captain Ronnie wrote:
I am conflicted on the timing settings, some say 8* BTDC, and some say 4* BTDC. I went with the factory setting for vacuum advance....I may have to play with it.
But did you disconnect the timing connector before setting the timing? If not it will be way off (retarded). It doesn't matter if you use 4 or 8 if it's set wrong. On pickups it's a tan wire with a black stripe and located on the passenger side firewall.
I honestly don't know where GM comes up with that 4* advance. Even for the GM Performance Parts crate 454's they say 4*. It's a different engine, 425 hp, 500 ft/lbs, but basically the same. Time that engine at 4* and you'd think you bought a 4 cylinder engine and it will run hot. My neighbor got one, set at 4* advance it ran over 200* on a mild day and it ran like a dog. I adjusted his carb and timing and he couldn't believe the difference and it never hits 200*.
OP mentioned it's cold blooded, takes forever to get to 195. Is that idling or while driving? If just while idling then I would look at both your mechanical and vacuum advance. Make sure they are both working.
As for it running hot because it's new, I don't think so. They're not built that tight. A hand built performance engine, maybe, but not these engines cranked out in a factory. Anyone buy a new car and have it run hot until it's broke in? I doubt it.
Also, a little unrelated but you are using conventional oil for the break in, right? You can switch to synthetic after break in but need conventional during break in. The piston rings won't seat properly during break in using synthetic oil. It's just too slippery, some friction is needed to seat the rings.
