• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Please help me make the right decisions

M

Moparguy1

Well-Known Member
Local time
10:15 AM
Joined
Jun 2, 2013
Messages
75
Reaction score
10
Location
West Virginia
I don't know if I should post this here or in the engine section. I have a 66 Coronet that I am trying to put on the road on a tight budget and I have a 73 440 that I plan on putting in it. I would like to get some advice on the engine build and see if some of the parts I already have will work good together. The engine has 66,000 miles on it, I was planning on redoing some 915 heads and installing a dual 4 intake that I have and that's it but I am thinking about a full rebuild if I can afford it. I plan on running a 4:88 gear with a 2800 or 3500 stall. I'm not sure what size tire I will be running yet. I want a good running street car with a big thump that I can take to the 1/8th mile strip every once and a while. I would like to go with a set of 440 Stealth heads but I don't know if money will allow it. I would like to here your suggestions on what pistons and cam to go with and anything else that I should know. Thank you.
 
68383GTS said:
what kind of budget? You can spend a lot of coin on a rebuild fast....
Click to expand...

I wouldn't mind spending around $2000 but I don't think I can get what I would need done for that. Of course at that price I would be using a set of 915 heads and not the aluminum ones just to save some money.
 
$2000.00 isn't going to get it.I would just use the 915 heads replace the cam mopar 484,Performer RPM Cam,750 Holley,good timing chain,and a set of headers.That will really wake it up.
 
I was planning on using a dual 4 intake that I already have, a 4:88 gear and a 2800 stall, do you think that will work alright or will the gear be to low for the street? I don't plan on running on interstate with it at this time. I also have a 3500 stall but I don't know if that will be very street friendly.
 
I think you might be better with a 509 mp cam. Hypereutic pistons, Stock rods, but deburr and polish the beams. Those should be 452 heads on the 73 motor. Stay with them. Bigger valves, clean up the area underneath the valves if you are able. Balance the assembly. Good rings and bearings. Edlebrock RPM intake, Hooker comp headers, use the 3500 stahl. It will be close $ wise, but give you a good setup.

- - - Updated - - -

I almost forgot... 4:88 gears... there will be NO interstate driving.
 
Loose the 488 gear and the dual quad intake.I would use a 750 Holley and 355 gears.Since you have a lower compression motor I would use the 915 closed chamber heads.
 
Agreed with the 915 heads if you aren't changing pistons. Same with the 4:88, you won't like it on the street.
 
I am going through this now. I bought the 2087 Top End kit which gets you RPM heads, Intake, cam (I didn't use this one), lifters, timing chain, bolts, and gaskets. I went with a .545 comp cam. This and the headers were around $2700. I bought some other stuff outside of that but that was my preference.
 
Moparsr2fast said:
I think you might be better with a 509 mp cam. Hypereutic pistons, Stock rods, but deburr and polish the beams. Those should be 452 heads on the 73 motor. Stay with them. Bigger valves, clean up the area underneath the valves if you are able. Balance the assembly. Good rings and bearings. Edlebrock RPM intake, Hooker comp headers, use the 3500 stahl. It will be close $ wise, but give you a good setup.

- - - Updated - - -

I almost forgot... 4:88 gears... there will be NO interstate driving.
Click to expand...

lol, no interstate driving hell, no highway driving
 
68383GTS said:
Loose the 488 gear and the dual quad intake.I would use a 750 Holley and 355 gears.Since you have a lower compression motor I would use the 915 closed chamber heads.
Click to expand...

Why should I not use the dual 4 set up? Will I not be able to run 55 mph or less with the 4:88 gears?
 
You can use the dual 4 set up if you want. Just plan on less throttle response, worse gas mileage, and maybe the same max power output as with a good single plane and a 780 to 850 CFM carb. 4.88 gears are a little much for street use in my opinion. I run 3.91, and that is the most I will go.

- - - Updated - - -

Oh yea, use the 915 heads, steel shim head gasket. This will help get your C/R up to a respectful level with that 73 bottom end.
 
I have dual quads with old offenhauser manifold. Looks cool but performance would be better and cheaper with modern single four bbl. 488 seem a little steep for the street. I have 410 with auto and that's about all I would go with limited highway use.
 
Moparguy1 said:
Why should I not use the dual 4 set up? Will I not be able to run 55 mph or less with the 4:88 gears?
Click to expand...

Let's say you have a normal-ish sized tire (around 25.5" tall), you're going to be running 3500+ just to run 55 mph.. it gets old REAL quick.. even if you're using a decently tall tire (for this example.. say 275/60/15, which is about 28" tall), you're still going to be pulling over 3000 rpm at 55... 3500 if you want to keep up with traffic at 60 mph.. constantly..

I switched from 3.23's to 4.10's, and now I regret it, I'm either going to swap gears again or put an overdrive unit in


As far as the dual 4 setup.. it all depends on what you want. Do you want the wow factor when you lift the hood or do you want the easy tun-ability of a single carb?
 
If your dual 4 BBL setup is the Offy intake (divided plenum single plane) those do not like a lot of overlap. You can run that dual 4 BBL but plan on a 112 to 114 LSA cam (mild) and live with it. 915 heads are an excellent choice for a street car. The big problem is refreshing any iron head will take half your budget. The 4.88's will be too much gear for a small cam so I'd trade them in on some 3.55's. If you want the 4.88's trade that Offy (assuming you have the low rise intake) in on a tunnel ram or a single plane. The suggested .509" will be good with the 4.88's, tall tires and tunnel.
 
I would keep the dual four idea if it's the Edelbrock CH28 dual 4bbl intake, those are supposed to work really good. Since you say you want to run 1/8 mile and won't take it on the interstate, I say keep the 4.88s since you already have them and you are on a budget. You could go with a taller tire like a 30" diameter to cut down the Rs some. That will give you more footprint too.
 
Yeah, CH28 would be a good option for a street car. Forgot about that one.
 
Sell the dual quad setup for a single 4bbl and go stock rebuild nothing expensive. Put money in the other areas like suspension brakes duals off factory exaust manifolds.... then in 50,000 miles you will have a better understanding of what you want then sell the stock parts off you don't need anymore
Don't jump into it... work you're way up slow. Learn you're way through the process or hire people to do everything but drive like the pro's do. I'd rather have the slowest most consistent car than all over the place. Start stock then grow from there...
 
Have you considered a six pack? I have that on a 1976 30 over 440 in my Belvedere II with an aftermarket cam designed especially for the six pack, 3:54 sure grip. This combo gets me in the low 12's 1/4 mile. In any event I would lose the duel quad unless you are going with a quite large cam. If you are then you need the bottom end built up strong, higher compression, quality rods, head work etc. Your 2 k is very limiting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

SIX TO GO
66 MOPARs - what's the scoop on engine numbers, transmission numbers, and VINs?
Replies
16
Views
2K
RemCharger
RemCharger
bcOH67
Enlighten me ye gurus…please
2 3
Replies
42
Views
3K
bearman
bearman
R
1965 Torque-flite transmission - Decisions?
Replies
2
Views
892
66 Sat
66 Sat
J
Looking for Some advice
Replies
6
Views
1K
Joel Talka
J
I
TUNNEL RAM W/ 2 4 BARREL CARBS FOR THE STREET
2
Replies
24
Views
3K
MarPar
MarPar
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top