Just recently sold my house and I'm homeless atm, but I will do my best to keep this updated.
Took the El Camino to it's first race today...a Stk/SS Combo at Bowling Green. It became sorely apparent this junk motor was just not up to the task as the qualifying showed it unable to run the 12.15 index in H/SA. It ran a 12.39 @ 105mph first pass followed by a 12.21 @ 107mph the last qualifier.
I discovered I was about 10 degrees retarded in timing after the first pass...I still have no explanation of how that happened. At any rate, the timing being adjusted properly made a dramatic difference in performance for the second pass.
I figured the Q-jet was a bit rich, so I hustled a metering rod swap for a big swing which helped me close in on the 12.15 dial I had to apply to the windshield for the first round of eliminations. It liked the leaner offering and I pulled off a first round win with the untested Camino in it's maiden race. I was beaten in the second round running under the dial-in, but realistically probably could not have pulled out a win in that round.
At the end of the day I guess I should be tickled with the first outing even with the shortcomings. The vehicle is almost 80 pounds heavy for H and I really have nothing left to pull out. A move to I/SA would seem prudent at this stage as 45 more pounds would be an easier solution. Being a 100+ hp short sure doesnt make for a rosy future regardless of class...all it needs is more money thrown at it lol.
I can probably coax another two tenths out of it with some thrashing. I'll have Mark Faul's three step headers in hand sometime Tuesday which should have a positive effect vs the junk 1-5/8's currently in the bay. I have no regrets so far...love the stance and it drives/fits my personality to a T. Wish me luck!