Valiants with V8s

Had a 1965 4 door Dart 270 with the \6 and 3 on the tree, 2.76:1 open rear. Dead stock it got 26 MPG driving 35 miles one way from Auburn WA to Ft Lewis WA. Regular pump gas.

Engine mods started with milling 0.060" off the head and pocket ported to remove the garbage. Back cut all the valves and "Power Rings" cut into the intake valves. Delta Cam regrind the cam to 260 degrees. Split the stock iron exhaust manifold and brazed 2 inch pipes, 36 inches long to a Y and the 2.25 inch pile out to the left infront of the wheel. Reworked the Dizzy to work with a "Carter Carb's" dash timing advance unit.

This made the \6 much more fun and friendly. No it was not as fast as our 65 Barracuda (18 MPG) but the fun factor was there and it would bury the 120 MPH speedo. And the MPG went up when the timing was advances, around 32 MPG. But it required mid grade pump gas now.

But I had also done a few body mods too. Modified a front Chin Spoiler from a Duster and sealed the opening in the lower valance below the bumper. Ran 1 windshild wiper. No radio antenna. Removed all weight I could like the rear seat, replaced spare tire with a can of fix-a-flat, no jack. It was just a commuter car.

But a warmed over 318 0.30" over and 9.25:1 CR with Eldy Performer 318 manifold and Carter 625 CFM AFB, 252 degree cam, Pocket ported heads with 360 1.88" valves, 340 iron ex, and a single over the axel 2.25 pipe in my 65 Barracuda with 2.76 gears got 24 MPG and was VERY FUN.