427 s/o engine melt down??????

[HSSS427]

Well, I guess I can't officialy say "it's fixed" until a road test, but here's the summary and it looks a whole lot better than when I posted this thread......

- Got it started tonight in the garage - too late and too many kiddie vehicles to move to get it outside for a drive
- After some messing with the distributor to get it set on a gear tooth where I could more easily turn it - it's wedged in pretty tight between the turkey pan and surge tank - got the initial timing at 21 degrees advance at 875 rpm idle. Have a 14 degree bushing in for a total of 36 all in pretty early ie by 3000 rpm
- Had a few leaks and drips from the new fuel line connections into the carburetor, but got those tightened up
- Had dirt in the needle valve assembly and the carb was flooding - pulled both needle sets and blew them dry with compressed air and that fixed it. Adjusted the float levels.
- No obvious oil leaks and no obvious fuel leaks - which is big considering I replaced the entire fuel line system from installing a -8 AN coupling on the tank, a Performance Products inline filter, -8 AN braided line replacing all rubber line, new 1/2" aluminum fuel line under the car, a Clay Smith high volume polished fuel pump, Holley fuel pressure regulator, Summit liquid filled fuel pressure gauge and I think buying and returning at least one of every type of fitting Earl's Plumbing makes to connect it all
- Intake appears dry as a bone - used the cork gaskets and a bunch of Permatex Gray
- FILLED THE BLOCK WITH DISTILLED WATER AND WATER WETTER THROUGH THE WATER TEMP SENDER HOLE, and then filled the rest up through the surge tank
- Had the surge tank cleaned and tested and repainted it with engine paint - already chipped it messin' with the distributor
- All the gauge readings looked good

Soooo..... a quick road test in the morning, then off to NC mountains with the rug rats and "she who must be obeyed" for 4th of July week - and no, I don't get to drive the Cobra

New rear tires when I get back and then big signs in the garage that say "Stop messin' around with more projects and just drive the darn thing....."

Thanks to all who've followed the saga and chipped in to help - this site is a true testament to collaboration and knowledge management via the internet - just wish I could get this level of participation in sites at work and for clients!

Scott