Need more power...

With the anticipation of putting air in Tammy's 66 I worry about dogging the motor too much when climbing hills/mountains we have here and 4 kids in the van.

I have another motor that came out of the 64 Panel and been thinking of rebuilding and throwing that into 66. Besides FAI (turbo/super charger) can I get some options/opinions on what to do during the rebuild to get some more power out of this 250? I plan on a V8 for the 64 Panel but that project is off in the future, her 66 needs all its love first.

Just a thought, but instead of rebuild a 6 just buy a decent running v8 and drop them in. To get any real power from a 6 it cost twice as much money as building a v8. I would put a nice running small block/200r and drive the wheels off. Bob

Yeah I am just not real thrilled about changing the dog house, especially after I have spent the time to fab up the seat mounts already. I guess it isnt too bad to redo them but modifying the dog house is what doesnt have me real excited.

Matt,
If it has or you can find a strong running 250 it can handle having A/C with no problem if you do the HEI and 2bbl carb conversions.

*** And incidentally doing both these conversions will increase both you horsepower and fuel economy.

Dan

The 250 in the van runs like a dream. It won't last forever though and that is why I been thinking about the rebuild on my spare motor. Would love to do the injection mod they did at the Nats but not sure where to find all that I would need. I will have to dig deeper into both your suggestions.

Here's some pic's of when I was doing the HEI and 2bbl Carb modification on my 250. I used a MoterCraft 2100 series and cut half the horn so It would fit easily into a L6 Doghouse. Then I simply made a custom intake for it!

Cut the Carb horn giving me 3" from the side of the doghouse...


Simple 2 1/2" exhaust sections from any Auto parts store.....


Cut and weld to match new half-moon seat on carb.....




Test fit to ensure it sits flush.....


Finish up the intake and drill the hole for the mounting shaft and nut.



And that's it! It's like you have a completely different motor! No more "Whistling" when I accelerate from the motor "Trying" desperately to suck air through that little 1bbl!

** Keep in mind you do have to switch to an accelerator cable instead of a linkage but that in itself is a great improvement!

I seen your post on this before and thought it looked great. Is that a fuel injected or no?

I think I had seen a post on HEI conversion also. I think I will see if it had part numbers listed for what I would need.

I have 7 or 8 push/pull cables so it would be easy for me to redo the throttle plus since Tammy is so short I have been thinking of extending the gas pedal up a bit for her. She can reach the brake just fine but the gas pedal is a stretch for her.

Matt,
It's a MotorCraft 2100 series carb. They work great and very easy to adjust and work on. And can be picked up fairly inexpensively on eBay. Switching to FI can be very frustrating and complicated. But would recommend TBI if you really want to go that route.

Dan

That seems like a decent way to go. Just a question on how you did yours, you cut a part of that carb off right? I see this one on Ebay...

Carb

The top section the air cleaner sits on is round, so you "Trimmed" this section off?

Did you do a HEI conversion? Everything easily purchased from a typical parts store?

Dan, what intake manifold are you running with that carb setup? Will it bolt right up to the stock manifold? Looks nice!

mbasaraba wrote:That seems like a decent way to go. Just a question on how you did yours, you cut a part of that carb off right? I see this one on Ebay...

Carb "Yes, That's the one!"

The top section the air cleaner sits on is round, so you "Trimmed" this section off? "Yes, I choose this carb because there were no functional need for that side of the carb other than to hold up the air cleaner allowing me to cut it off without effecting then functionality of the carb in any way! Allowing it to fit nicely into a L6 doghouse."

You do need to buy the 1bbl to 2bbl adapter as well. http://www.webercarbsdirect.com/100_550_p/100.550.htm

Did you do a HEI conversion? Everything easily purchased from a typical parts store? "Bought the HEI off of eBay"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVY-INLINE-6-CYL-230-250-292-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-6522-R-/350581309020?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51a0463e5c&vxp=mtr

Hope this helps,
Dan

ScottyJones wrote:Dan, what intake manifold are you running with that carb setup? Will it bolt right up to the stock manifold? Looks nice!

Like I just mentioned to Matt. You have to buy the 1bbl to 2bbl adapter $24.95 (See link above) and it bolts to your stock manifold.

Dan

Matt,
There only about 1 3/4 thick.

Ordered the adapter plate you linked.

On the HEI, is that a good one you posted or just a random one? I had read on another post a while back about some poorly made ones but didnt pay attention to what or who it was about. Are they just plug and go?

Matt,
very hard to tell. I have had a few "cheapies" that I couldn't get to work to save my life. And some that worked fine. But this is the CRT that I'll currently using and it is a "Drop in Unit", hook up one wire. and go!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Chevy-I6-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-194-230-250-or-292-DROP-IN-UNIT-NEW-/230843621337?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35bf5a1fd9&vxp=mtr

Its mine.

Now to look through the different carbs. That one guy I had posted has 100% positive feedback. Might as well go with him.

**EDIT** I cut up some stuff on my plasma this past weekend and going to get them posted for sale. Hopefully they will go and I can get the air unit ordered.

As of right now I am thinking that if I get the floor redone, seats recovered, gas tank cleaned and redone and these 2 mods that Tammy will be able to at least drive it this winter while it is cool out.

I am still stuck with this 300ZX and that was supposed to pay for most of this stuff when I sold it.

OK, Just make sure you get the "Right' Carb. Some of them have the Accel pump on the cutoff side. Don't get one of those.

This is the correct one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-1969-1970-1971-1972-1973-74-Ford-Truck-Motorcraft-2100-2-Barrel-Carburetor-/120970227446?hash=item1c2a632ef6&item=120970227446&pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

Ok Dan,you mentioned goin from linkage to cable.Were you able to go with a 4' or 5' type cable from like a Lokar set that you'd see on a rat/street rod?
I've heard others say thats a Great improvement also.

When you switch to a cable operated carb, what do you do about the kickdown linkage on an auto trans? Or are you running a more modern transmission with tv cable?

Moe: I'm using a 5' Lokar. But because the carb. actually mounts sideways it's a bit long, a 4' would probably be better.

Scotty: I have a 2speed powerglide. But plan on putting in a 2004R in the near future but don't see any real issue other than having to make a custom bracket. No biggie!

I've got a powerglide too, and Im planning on upgrading to that same transmission soon. Keep us updated on that for sure!

Maybe a 2bbl upgrade will be in my future as well...

Got a couple questions about my motor.

1. It looks like they put electronic ignition on it already? Did I waste my money buying that HEI on Ebay?



2. Is this a 250 motor? The valve cover is different from my 64.

64 Red, 66 Blue

The 64 doesnt have a screw in oil fil, just a breather to take out.

The 66 has a line going from the EGR to the intake between the carb and the valve cover?

Another thing. I crawled under and see that it is a TH350 Tranny. The boys and I went for a drive and it ran ok until it shifted into 3rd then it would die out. Shift back into 2nd run fine. Not sure what is going on with that.

Going to get the Carb on, got new plugs and wires but still waiting on the HEI. Will be here Monday. Also got a new Valve Cover gasket that is why the valve cover is off.

Lastly, what is the nipple on the back side of that adapter for? Is that where the EGR is supposed to plug in if the intake doesnt have a spot for it?

Dan,

That adapter is either wrong or the carb is wrong... It doesnt come close to matching up... What do I have wrong??

I really hope I didnt get the wrong carb cuz I already MODIFIED it and so it will be junk for anyone else and that was $150......................................................................................