more pep for my 78?

Big Blue

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Ok guys, I am looking for a little more pep for my 78 new yorker 440. I know all the wise guys are going to say the pistons are too far down in the hole and the compression is too low...blah blah blah, etc...

What I want to know is what was different between the 195HP E85 and the 255HP E86 440's? The Chilton manual has them both at 8.2:1 compression. Again I have already read many times about that being optimistic. I don't care. I would like to pick up the 60hp difference between the two if it is easy enough to do. Allpar is vague and only cites a camshaft difference. I have read the 452 heads flow almost the same as the 906's. If the difference was only a camshaft would it be the 268/284 muscle car grind?

Mainly I am looking for more low end torque and better mileage. I was thinking about a Comp Cams XE250H, or XE256H.

Does anybody know what the stock camshaft specs are for the E85 440?
 
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One more thing. I have read that to boost the compression you can shave the heads and use a thin gasket. Has anyone tried this with success on here?
 
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Ummm, you do NOT want to run a thinner gasket on a 440. The minute gain in C.R. is not worth the risk.
I don't like shaving the heads to raise the C.R. either. You take the absolute minimum cut off the heads when you're also zero decking the block. Shaving enough off the heads to raise the C.R., you run into an intake manifold situation where you have to shave them also.

Just install an off the shelf set of correct pistons and * P O O F *, instant raise in C.R. No fuss, no muss.
 
Ummm, you do NOT want to run a thinner gasket on a 440. The minute gain in C.R. is not worth the risk.
I don't like shaving the heads to raise the C.R. either. You take the absolute minimum cut off the heads when you're also zero decking the block. Shaving enough off the heads to raise the C.R., you run into an intake manifold situation where you have to shave them also.

Just install an off the shelf set of correct pistons and * P O O F *, instant raise in C.R. No fuss, no muss.

Well that answers one question. I don't want to mess with the bottom end.

Any ideas on the main question?
 
Any ideas on the main question?

1. Here's your cam:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-6401/

2. Here's your intake manifold:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2191/

3. Here's your carburetor:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-M08750VS/

4. Here's your air cleaner:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G3000/

5. Install 2 1/2" dual exhaust.

6. Send the heads out for a decent valve job.

You might get a 30 HP gain at the rear wheels.

This will give you a Lexus smooth, torquey engine for chump change and uses regular grade gas.
Investing anything more than this is a total waste of money if you don't do a total rebuild. Somebody ALWAYS says headers. Again, without a total rebuild with matched components, headers are a waste of money and not worth the agravation.

More HP? You want to bore it, stroke it, use solid lifters, hi-rise intake, headers, custom curved distributer, carbretor rejetted/acc. pump modified/ power valve changed/etc.....?????
Bring lotsa money.
 
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Sounds like Stan has a plan, but why go through the trouble for minimal results? Sure 30 rear wheel horsepower will be helpful but why not throw your pennies in a jar and get it all done next year?
I never liked redoing half an engine.......
 
Sounds like Stan has a plan, but why go through the trouble for minimal results? Sure 30 rear wheel horsepower will be helpful but why not throw your pennies in a jar and get it all done next year?
I never liked redoing half an engine.......
BINGO! You nailed it right there.. :app:

Wait it out. It's not going anywhere. When you're ready, go for the whole enchilada . Anything else is a costly stop-gap measure. I used to be "I have to get everything done yesterday" I learned to stop and smell the roses.
 
I'm not in a rush, just a budget. Bang for the buck kinda thing. I already have a 79 lil red express clone with a 406 magnum stroker. It was a MP402 that we purchased used, bored .020, put in KB hypers, balanced, hughes roller rockers, Air Gap, edelbrock 750... yeah it is fun! I just want a little more pep, hoping for a lil more MPG, and an overall fun time. :)

http://www.youtube.com/embed/hzybrcQKAjw
 
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:banana:............................................................................:sSig_thankyou:
 
So today I converted to Electronic Ignition and have two questions.

1)How do I disable the Bowl Vent circuit? I read that when I convert this circuit will cause it to run like crap disconnected and something about blocking it off with a beer can.
2) the front of the carb has a similar looking setup with a port. Where should this port be hooked up?

Thanks in advance.
 
Remove the rubber plug for the electric bowl vent and just let it vent into the air cleaner and put a vacuum cap over the fitting on the vapor canister


To do this I take the top of the TQ off, correct?

I blocked off the front air bleed valve and bellows with a piece of pop can today. See how that works.

To set my idle mixture screws I turn both in to the stops and out 2turns, then running I turned them in until the idle fell off and backed off 1/2 turn.
 
To do this I take the top of the TQ off, correct?

I blocked off the front air bleed valve and bellows with a piece of pop can today. See how that works.

To set my idle mixture screws I turn both in to the stops and out 2turns, then running I turned them in until the idle fell off and backed off 1/2 turn.

That's what I do.
Anybody else?
 
Well I have finally decided what I am going to do for now.

I just purchased a CH4B intake, looking for a good deal on an Edelbrock carb, going to try heddman #78070 headers, and instead of wasting money and time on a RV cam that I will replace later if I rebuild the motor with 9.5:1 compression I am going to run 1.6:1 rockers. They will work later with any head or cam i decide to run. Stock rockers are rated at 1.5:1 but are probably closer to 1.42:1, so with a stock cam with a lift rating of .420" would be closer to .400" actual lift with stock rockers but would have .450" of lift at the valve with 1.6:1 rockers. this combo would not compromise low end torque while allowing the motor to breathe better.

What do you guys think?
 
I say save up the money you're going to spend for when you're going to do it right.
Seriously, what are you gaining? You're throwing a new saddle on a tired old horse.
Give it a serious tuneup and get everything to 100% OEM specs.


Stans awesome......:garland:
Yah. I know....
 
Look to increase yout exhaust size too. Duals is better, but a 3" single will work nicely too.
 
I just put on the CH4B with a new to me Edelbrock 1405 600cfm on my stock 440. I did have to change jets and metering rods and I am still working at dialing it in 100% but it feels like it pulls harder and is snappier than stock. The CH4B was not a plug and play intake and I needed to reocate the coil and an AC compressor support.
 
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