Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

SShink · 3K+ Club

Cool air? Carb spacer? Man the Chevelle ran great tonight!

bowtie · Secretary

Isn't it nice? I drove mine to work the last 2 days. Noticed a huge difference in how it ran (OK, not really), but it felt better while driving with the cooler air. Mine does seem a little sluggish and smells rich. I actually backfired yesterday too.

Bowtieman427 · Active Member

I ran mine yesterday in the heat to see how hot it would get. 5/8" restrictor. On highway it ran hotter 195-200. In town went down to 185. I think on highway the H2O is not staying in radiator long enough to cool off. Part of me says do not mess with it as I do not think we are going to see it any hotter. I should have swapped in a thermostat to see if any different. Yesterday was a good test day on the cars cooling system.
My idle was 100-200 rpm lower and it was not happy upon start up in the heat. Sounded like it was missing. I would think the car richens up with less o2 per unit volume of air at higher temp. I set the idle at 65 degress 40 degree delta can change things that much ?

Winston Wolf · Member

SShink wrote:
I don't know if it was the cool dense air, putting the 3/8" spacer back under the carb, or what, but the Chevelle was running great tonight!
I wanted to gas it up for the track this weekend, so I put the 3/8" Edelbrock spacer back in because I couldn't use it before and get the hood closed with the cowl induction rubber seal. The seal has compressed enough now that I'm able to run the spacer full time! This also solves the hot restart/boil off issue that is common with Edelbrock carbs! And, I get back 5-10 HP that I lost by taking it off! :hurray:
I also put the K & N filter and flow top on, and it seems much more responsive. You can hear the carb sucking in air through the filter top now.
I'm going to take the stock filter and air cleaner top to the track to swap and see if it slows down any.
Look out Pushrod... I'm gunnin' for ya! :biggrin:

FWIW, mine ran slower with that K&N top. I sent mine back.

Winston Wolf · Member

Bowtieman427 wrote:
I ran mine yesterday in the heat to see how hot it would get. 5/8" restrictor. On highway it ran hotter 195-200. In town went down to 185. I think on highway the H2O is not staying in radiator long enough to cool off. Part of me says do not mess with it as I do not think we are going to see it any hotter. I should have swapped in a thermostat to see if any different. Yesterday was a good test day on the cars cooling system.
My idle was 100-200 rpm lower and it was not happy upon start up in the heat. Sounded like it was missing. I would think the car richens up with less o2 per unit volume of air at higher temp. I set the idle at 65 degress 40 degree delta can change things that much ?

I put in 2 bottles of Redline Water Wetter, and it dropped the temp 15-20 degrees. You can also get a high flow 165 deg thermostat from Summit or Jegs.

dashboard · 2K+ Club

I never believed in Water Wetter, till I tried it, it really does reduce engine temps.

Dave Seitz · Mega Poster

Hint if you don't know where to buy decent fuel on a daily basis BP Premium is one of the better Holiday Premium is one of the worst.