Wow, what fast responses!!

Let me go through the posts.

Looked all around the head gaskets, cannot find any tabs or anything sticking out. Anyway to tell if I have the rocker arms off and look down into the engine?

I do not have any overflow. The coolant level always is correct, just at the level indicator plate in the expansion tank.

I checked out another 62 TBIRD, that someone had put a 3 x 2 carb setup on with a EMPI dial type fuel pressure regulator. The older gentlemen who owned the Tbird told me the car ran like sh—without the regulator.

The temp gauge on the TBIRD does not use numbers, just markings. I have an IR thermometer and at the upper hose it hits about 190 degrees. I know these are very inaccurate, But I don’t think it is really getting too hot because I never have it overflow (even when I tried a 7lb radiator cap). I have a new 14lb cap on now.

Initial timing with vacuum advance line disconnected is set at 9 degrees, It is hard to tell what I’m getting for centrifugal advance and vacuum advance without a timing wheel installed, but I do see it jump up when I raise the idle to about 800 – 900 rpms. By the way the vacuum advance is connected tot the center carb and has no vacuum at idle.

The car has a vented gas cap. I tried removing the cap (while idling in the driveway) still got a little hot, started to rough, surge then stall.

I have fooled around with the timing advanced, right on the timing mark and retarded, same results.


I really appreciate all this help. This is driving me crazy!! My wife says it is a short drive….