Thoughts on Carb/Spacer/Scoop

sharpie · Post by **sharpie** » Mon Jul 11, 16 2:23 pm

Following recent engine swap (thanks Scotty, Anton) I have the following set up on my 74 dart 318 - edelbrock intake manifold, a vertical spacer and holley carb (im told a 650cfm, carb and spacer came with car from US)

however the spacer prevents the kickdown from being connected

replacement engine came with a edelbrock carb (believe a 600cfm)

should i lose the spacer and go with a flat hood, is it actively helping carburation ?

which carb would suit the 318 better for performance, holley or edelbrock ?

thanks men

latil · Post by **latil** » Mon Jul 11, 16 4:41 pm

I'd replace the kickdown linkage with a Lokar cable conversion,solves many problems.

Dart Vader · Post by **Dart Vader** » Mon Jul 11, 16 5:56 pm

totally agree, the Lokar version is dead easy to fit, never needs any replacement parts and should be compact enough.

Lokar is the branded version but there are others which are replicas

Holley have the general edge regards reputation but Edelbrock is just as good, six of one, half dozen of other. Edelbrock design is different

sharpie · Post by **sharpie** » Mon Jul 11, 16 6:08 pm

okay thanks, good to know ... would the motor suit a 650 better, and is the spacer basically just for show or is it worth keeping in place ?

sharpie · Post by **sharpie** » Mon Jul 11, 16 7:55 pm

according to this online calculator a 600cfm is better suited :

http://www.csgnetwork.com/cfmcalc.html

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Jul 11, 16 8:08 pm

The sizing is not that critical, and the spacer whilst not the prettiest, it will add a bit of plenum and as you have a dual plane manifold it may help it a bit.

sharpie · Post by **sharpie** » Mon Jul 11, 16 8:19 pm

right so perhaps keep the holley, spacer and the scoop, pretty much the opposite of what i thought !

im just glad to be on the road again, done about a thousand miles in it over the last week ... pure pleasure

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Tue Jul 12, 16 10:16 pm

More of a tunnel ram than a spacer! What build is the motor and what rear gears? Any spacer normally moves the torque peak higher up the rpm range. That would work with deep gears 3.91 up, but if only 2.76/3.22 I suspect you'd be giving useable torque away.

sharpie · Post by **sharpie** » Wed Jul 13, 16 1:03 pm

hi miles, stock motor, stock rear for a 74 dart ?

i think my approach will be to remove the spacer, run without it on the holley 650, gauge any improvement

after then switch carb and try with the edelbrock ?

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Wed Jul 13, 16 3:12 pm

Actually what does need emphasising is the importance of having the kick down cable connected. It Must be connected or you'll fry your trans.
I can't see that spacer doing much for the car with stock rear.
Gears are probably 2.76 or similar.
What rpm is it spinning at 70mph?
Can work out the rear gear ratio from that as long as we know the tyre size diameter too.
I.e my old Rooadrunner has 3.23 Gera and 27" tyre and spun 3,000 rpm at 70 approx.

As for carbs, if the Holley is working well I'd favour it over any Edelbrock, but I'm biased againts Edelbrock carbs; fine for easy idle and cruising, but not for performance.
I'd go for Holley on conventional manifold and probably you'll see more torque lower down.
Some years back I bolted on a 1,5" spacer and road tests the car. By seat of pants it was clear that the torque figure moved up the rpm range. I took it off.

sharpie · Post by **sharpie** » Wed Jul 13, 16 3:35 pm

right thanks, manifold currently edelbrock performer, hence thinking should be mated with edelbrock carb, i am losing atf when car is stood, let me find out the rpm @ 70mph

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Wed Jul 13, 16 5:09 pm

Manifold is a manifold. Doesn't have to be part matched as long as the crab can bolt up ok.
Losing arf? Trans fluid? Different thread?

sharpie · Post by **sharpie** » Wed Jul 13, 16 5:55 pm

i wondered if my kickdown being disconnected was causing loss of trans fluid when car is stood

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Jul 13, 16 6:33 pm

sharpie wrote:i wondered if my kickdown being disconnected was causing loss of trans fluid when car is stood

No, probably the dipstick tube seal as the Convertor drains back whilst standing for a period of time.

Dart Vader · Post by **Dart Vader** » Wed Jul 13, 16 7:23 pm

Pete wrote:
sharpie wrote:i wondered if my kickdown being disconnected was causing loss of trans fluid when car is stood
No, probably the dipstick tube seal as the Convertor drains back whilst standing for a period of time.

As above as this is really common, also

Check the transmission cooling lines, these come out the driver side of the box and head towards the front of the car and into the radiator (but the oil cooler bit). or it might be an external aftermarket one

The can get dings and dents and weep fluid, plus if its leaking as it the pipe goes under the engine it might be hard to spot oil from trans fluid.

Next time you are at one the events where there are other mopar people get them to have a look see.

As for inlet v carb, I have Eddy inlet with holley carb no probs. As Miles said as long as the carb fits the inlet happy days.

Personally I'd ditch the spacer, it looks like a goose's neck ! Get a holley carb, decent mopar performace air filter and it will look the biz.