Hi all, looking for some guidance here. May be a little long winded here, with lots of questions lol. Like the title states Im looking at a budget build involving(possibly) above components.
This is going in dads 67 cuda, factory S fastback with factory 904 3:23 SG and 8 3/4.
For engine right now it has a 66 date code 273. Originally a 2bl engine, so pistons are low compression. Factory adjustable valve train.
When dad bought the car we installed a comp cams kit #CL20-246-4 and upgraded to the double roller timing chain set. New cam bearings. We also topped it with Eddy 1406, then added an elec choke. It has MP elec ignition.
Factory 273 exhaust manifolds.
Sounds and idles great, oil psi good(approx 45-50 at idle) but did not have the power low end I thought it would.
Unsure of what stall the torque converter is. I know I had to grind a weight off of it as per recommendations. 360 converter maybe?
Last year I removed factory heads with comp springs and retainers. I stripped them down, sandblasted, relapped valves and did a diy "port" job.
Reinstalled heads and added an LD4B.
Still not much in low end power, but its been a reliable motor since dad n I put it together in 2012. Probably around 10-12,000 miles since then.
Im unsure of where timing is at and rods and jets in carb are orig Eddy spec.
I believe that I have over cammed the 273 due to the low comp pistons
My plan is to drop in a budget build respectable small block using as much as what I have and still have the swap done in the course of a weekend. Hoping to add maybe 50 HP??
What I bought was an 87(I think) 318, I was hoping for the 302 casting heads, but came with heads #4027163. But it did come with LD340 and Eddy 1405 and brand new oil pan. Compression test was over 120(using a lousy battery, and engine was out of vehicle, so we stopped at 120). All plugs removed and WOT. No disassembly has begun yet so unsure of pistons, bottom end.
I continued my search for heads and have located 2 sets of 302 heads. 1 is bare and 3 are loaded. Machine shop magnafluxed bare one and came back no cracks.
3 loaded ones I brought home to disassemble and then have them magnafluxed.
I am hoping to be able to strip down the 87 318, use 302 heads, which will bump compression a little bit. Then there is the option of intake. I have an LD4B unmodded currently on 273. I also have the LD340 that came on the 87 318. LD340 can wait for my 340 build for my 69 ragtop(whenever I get to it lol)
Heres list of parts on hand and hope to use most of these to keep costs down(if 302's need machining it gets pricey!)
On hand
-runnning 66 273 2bl pistons, Eddy 1406, LD4B, factory manifolds, adjustable valve train
Comp cams 270-s cam and lifters(10-12,000 miles)
-LD340
-complete 340 x heads
-factory iron 273 4bl intake
-factory iron 70 340 intake
-68-70 HP 340 exhaust manifolds.
-302 heads
-complete 87 318
-set of 4027163 318/360 heads
Would stock 273 adjustable valve train work on 302 heads? Also whats the opinion of using the complete Comp Cams kit from the 273 and installing in 318? Is that cam an overkill even for the 318 with 302 heads?
If 302 heads come back good, Im open to do the DIY cleanup/port job as well.
Combinations/advice?
Thanks all
Steve
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