240 head really worth it?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Spokane WA, USA
240 head really worth it?
posted this in the past
I am having a problem that I know you guys can help me with if you would. I started out with the usual 2bbl '76 I-6 engine and have done the following mods, Edelbrock 600, BlueRacer 270° cam/lifters, Clifford Intake, carb heat plate, Flex-Lite fan, stock points distributor with new wires, side gapped motorcraft plugs, efi manifolds, 2" dual exh. The problem I'm having is that I feel like the engine is a dog. (Well my truck does weight a ton- err..3-4 tons!)
I swear with all the money I have spent, It feels the same as when it had the 2bbl and no mods. What's my next mod to bring all this together? 240 head with SBC valves? I hate to spend all this money on a head only to feel disappointed at the end.
what do I do? Also am I just over carbing this thing, will it perk up with a smaller carb?
Thanks so much
I am having a problem that I know you guys can help me with if you would. I started out with the usual 2bbl '76 I-6 engine and have done the following mods, Edelbrock 600, BlueRacer 270° cam/lifters, Clifford Intake, carb heat plate, Flex-Lite fan, stock points distributor with new wires, side gapped motorcraft plugs, efi manifolds, 2" dual exh. The problem I'm having is that I feel like the engine is a dog. (Well my truck does weight a ton- err..3-4 tons!)
I swear with all the money I have spent, It feels the same as when it had the 2bbl and no mods. What's my next mod to bring all this together? 240 head with SBC valves? I hate to spend all this money on a head only to feel disappointed at the end.
what do I do? Also am I just over carbing this thing, will it perk up with a smaller carb?
Thanks so much
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,357
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From: S. Mississippi
240 head really worth it?
A 600 might be a bit much, but since you've got a quite decent cam there, id leave it be for the moment.
Do you have an auto trans? If so you may be needing a torque converter with a slightly higher stall speed so that the engine will be up on top of the cam and higher into the rpms.
Also what gears are you packin' out back? These could also be a part of the problem.
Do you have an auto trans? If so you may be needing a torque converter with a slightly higher stall speed so that the engine will be up on top of the cam and higher into the rpms.
Also what gears are you packin' out back? These could also be a part of the problem.
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Senior User
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From: Spokane WA, USA
240 head really worth it?
I have the NP435 and 4.10's - Actually I just switched to 3.54's last weekend, I actually didn't notice any take-off driveability issues going to a higher gear. I guess the engine probably makes O.K. power (compared to a smallblock v8) the truck does weigh a lot. This engine would probably be real hot in a compact car.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: S. Mississippi
240 head really worth it?
Alright, got a stick and 3.54's, great gears for launching, even if it does weigh 3/4's of a ton.
I'd say you are overcarbing, failing everything else.
Timing set right? How long has it been since you did a tune up with all the trimmings?
Its still making me think that 600 carb is just a bit too big.
I'd say you are overcarbing, failing everything else.
Timing set right? How long has it been since you did a tune up with all the trimmings?
Its still making me think that 600 carb is just a bit too big.
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Senior User
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From: Spokane WA, USA
240 head really worth it?
thanks desperado,
I eventually want to try a smaller carb just to see if it makes any difference. Need to find a small four barrell (same bolt pattern) to try.
I eventually want to try a smaller carb just to see if it makes any difference. Need to find a small four barrell (same bolt pattern) to try.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,357
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From: S. Mississippi
240 head really worth it?
Are you using a spread bore or a square bore?
I belive JC whitney, or Jegs might have a carb like what you are looking for, and if you are a Junkyard Harvester like myself, then you should be able to find something out there, as a few cars/trucks did come with about the right sized 4bbl for that conversion, although it may not match your mounting plate size.
I belive JC whitney, or Jegs might have a carb like what you are looking for, and if you are a Junkyard Harvester like myself, then you should be able to find something out there, as a few cars/trucks did come with about the right sized 4bbl for that conversion, although it may not match your mounting plate size.
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From: Spokane WA, USA
240 head really worth it?
Are the newer Edlebrocks speadbore or squarebores? (Its a 600 elec. choke)
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,357
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From: S. Mississippi
240 head really worth it?
If that carb is a Performer Series 600, then its squarebore.
If its a Q-Jet or the like, its a spreadbore.
More than likely, its a squarebore.
If its a Q-Jet or the like, its a spreadbore.
More than likely, its a squarebore.
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From: Colorado
240 head really worth it?
My Holley book shows the 600 cfm is a good (generic) match for a 425 c.i. engine running 6,000 rpm or a 400 turning 6,500 r's. I ran a Holley 600 on a 300 c.i. engine, BUT... it was turning 8,500 rpm. It had fuel injection heads, 1.94 intakes, headers, BIG cam.,etc., it ran pretty good... well REALLY good.
For a 300 cubic inch engine, they list 280 cfm @ 4,000 rpm, 350 @ 5,000 rpm, 450 @ 6,000. So it depends on how you are going to drive it (where do you spend most of your rpms-?). Either stay with your current mods and downsize the carb OR go bigger flow - ported ( 240-?) head, 1.94 valves (?) , and TRUE headers.
I think either would give you MORE satisfaction. I'd try the carb first & then consider head work...(save the 600).
For a 300 cubic inch engine, they list 280 cfm @ 4,000 rpm, 350 @ 5,000 rpm, 450 @ 6,000. So it depends on how you are going to drive it (where do you spend most of your rpms-?). Either stay with your current mods and downsize the carb OR go bigger flow - ported ( 240-?) head, 1.94 valves (?) , and TRUE headers.
I think either would give you MORE satisfaction. I'd try the carb first & then consider head work...(save the 600).
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