Currently a 350ci. I ordered the 290hp crate engine from a dealer. It's like the 260hp, but with a slightly hotter cam. I actually would've ordered the 260hp version in retrospect.
The 260hp engine was only warrantied up to a 1985 truck. I could either spend $300 on an extended warranty of sorts, or for the same extra $300 get the 290hp.
The distributor was the stock unit from the 305. It's a HEI with the
5-pin module, modded to work like a 4-pin. Although it's a factory-approved mod, I gotta wonder about it. Especially since the whole purpose of the 5-pin setup is to retard timing based on knock. Now technically, that should be disabled (because of the mod), and the knock sensor and ESC are no longer connected. Still...has me wondering if I shouldn't throw a 4-pin module in there.I think the pickup coil should be fine. It's obviously doing its job, and it's a fairly passive device. I couldn't imagine that it could "slip" in any way. When I had the distributor out, I didn't disturb it. I only pulled the distributor to clean it out. The fire melted a hole in the cap and there was plenty of garbage in there. The only way I could realistically do a good job of cleaning it out was to remove it. I only used a non-conductive spray cleaner for electronics (motors and alternators) that I got from a parts store.
Engine is grounded off the passenger-side head via a strap to the firewall. Testing for continuity between any metal part of the engine and the negative terminal on the battery shows a good connection.
The last thing I did before the fire was re-jet the carb for smaller jets. It was running extremely rich at the time. I don't believe I under-jetted it. I followed the suggestions of many people and actually only went down like, one size...some folks suggested I try much smaller jets.
I don't think it would've leaned it out THAT much...and with this weird-ass timing thing, I'm leaning toward it.
~jp