[CC69Rat]

Well, Dad and I worked on my truck for several hours today. 97 in the shade here in SE Tenn. We got the shifter hooked up so now I can at least put it in park and make things a little safer. Got everything else, loose ends, fluids, etc. Topped off and worked to start the ole Big Block. It will turn over, build oil pressure and sounds like it is trying to start up. Put more timing in (clockwise) it gets worse .. backfire through the carb. Dad and I moved it both directions abour 4 deg. Nothing.

My buddy Greg came over and we pulled the dizzy cap. Checked for TDC (thinking 180 out) and #1 compression stroke looks good but it is firing a bit early .. like the dist is off a couple teeth.

Dad cranked the timing back (counter clockwise) as far as we could get it and if fired right up. Fairly simple -- I'll pull the dist around a couple teeth.

IT SOUNDS WICKED.

We were trying to break the cam in, 1500 rpm. It may have ran for 1 min, no more than 2 min and I noticed a Purple puddle on the driveway and things getting a little warm underneath. The dust shield is collecting oil and slinging it on the header / collectors

My engine sat on the stand for probably two years before I got to put it in my truck. I originally built it for a 69 Camaro project that never happened. Do you think the seal is just dry (?) I personally think we may have damaged it when we put the trans together. In the two min it ran, it made a puddle about the size of a football. Ideas? Rear main?

I'm bent but not broken .. saving my strength for the things I can control.

...to be continued.