Engine temp. at idle

Hi,
I'm just getting into a new ride with a 540 BBC and an 8-71/ birdcatcher alky setup. Anyone know what the head temp should run at when the engine gets warmed up. I got solid heads. The idle egt was at about 940*F. I adjusted the barrell from our original 24% leakdown about a full turn richer to get it to this point. It didn't want to run any cooler than that. The head temp. was 140 on one side and 190 on the other side( shot with raytech gun) and hotter in back than in front by up to 50*F. Oil temp. got to about 150*F. I have a 12PSI idle check pressure. Is that about normal?

 

I read the leakdown the same as you would to check your cylinder leakage. 100 onthe output side being 0 leakage and 76 being 24% leakage. Is that correct?

 

If both of your gauges go to 100, then to get 70% leak, your second gauge should read 30.

 

Is 70% a good starting point? Maybe I was way to lean at 24%. I should also mention that this is run at 1:1 blower speed right now.

 

Mike, do you think these numbers are different for hemi vs chevy?

 

The way I understand it, 70% (30%) is leaner than 24% (76%), the closer to 100% (0%), the richer the ratio.

 

Leakdown

Now I'm confused,
If you want 20% leakdown then 2nd gauge should read 80, 1st gauge 100
If you want 30% leakdown then 2nd gauge should read 70, 1st gauge 100

Under the impression hemis liked 80 or 20%, chevys liked 78 or 22% leakdown.
Correct? if not take me to school

 

The % is how much is leaking into the motor/cylinders. 70% leak is 70% of the fuel going into the barrel valve is actually going into the motor, so 30% is returning to the tank. It may sound like a lot at idle, but remember there's not a whole lot of fuel being pumped at such a low rpm.

Josh

 

I think some are referring to the number they are reading on the second gauge, verses what the number actually means. ie>reading 30 on the second gauge means 30% percent RETURNING to the tank, so it'd be 70% leak to the motor.

Josh

 

Sounds right to me but my gauges are both 0-100, but some 2nd gauges measure percentage drop so the 20% & 22% numbers would be correct, it all depends how the tester reads.

 

go to good vibration parts and in there tech section there is a video on setting up your b.v leak down.

 

I understand now. I was looking at it in reverse. Is .010" a good air gap for the butterflies on a birdcatcher?

 

Ya I saw it earlier. Thanks to everyone who responded. It is great to have a web site like this to help out.