my 403 rebuild

120

Asked by 78cutlassowner Feb 08, 2016 at 11:46 PM about the 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

So I decided to rebuild my 403. I bought a kit new
cam and timing chain with valve springs. I also
baought a 1406 edelbrock carb. Long tube headers   
with a turbo 350 trany not posi yet but soon to be. I  
ran it today for the second time. It seems ok just
not much power. So what did I do wrong it wont
burn out either.... Spent so much. Just woundering
what can I check to see why I dont have much
power. Any tips?

18 Answers

there are two dots...make them point at one another~

2 people found this helpful.

oops...straight off the press...the dots will point even if eatin' a plate of spam~ was actually amazed that I could find an olds 403 engine picture so easily~ she's real fine my 403...she's real fine my 403 my four oh three~

2 people found this helpful.

that carb might be a little fussy...the cam if oversized will lead to TERRIBLE idling~ so there is that...so glad that you selected a standard cam...heavy duty clutches will KILL your foot...a no no, I've found~ Standard oil pumps are preferred...heavy duty will produce so much output they will need to be regulated...will cause leaks and be quite a nuisance...go with standard duty everything...anything else will mean trouble~! ...in my humble opinion~

this one even has a groovy imaginary line goin thru it~

2 people found this helpful.
120

Yea I remember I had that lined up rite. Ill do. Compresion check tomaro to see were im at. If I were to do somthing to the bottom end what would you recommend?

1 people found this helpful.
120

Ok ill look into that. Well I just bought a rear end off a 396 chevy camaro so ill have to ask the guy. I started to fix my car at age 17 im 20 now and still learing more about all of this so im new to messing around with horse power.

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Precisely dialing in the cam is a key step to getting the most out of your engine. This video is for a SBC but the principal applies to your engine --- http://www.ask.com/youtube? q=how+to+dial+in+a+cam+in+a+small+block+chevy&v=XKtsHqHDX 2A&qsrc=472

3 people found this helpful.

I would buy an Edlebrock intake manifold to match the carb.

2 people found this helpful.

If the final gear ratio is really high (which I am sure it is), acceleration off the line will be weak.

120

So I checked my compresion all cylinders checked out at 120. Im woundering if it could be my trany or the rear end. Its fast but nust wont burn out

2 people found this helpful.

https://www.google.com/? gws_rd=ssl#q=1978+Oldsmobile+Cutlass+differential+gears

1 people found this helpful.

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