Teen problems

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Grover72

Grover72

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Hey there everyone, first post new member may be a bit of a long one. Looking for some advice.

I currently have a 69 318 in the car I acquired the car from my father the car was restored to a nice driver about 6 to 8 years ago. the work was done by machine shops mechanics etc not him. God bless him a mopar lover through and through without having the mechanical knowledge that many in this forum have a wealth of. Addmitadly I'm no rockstar myself.
So here's the skinny. I have acquired the car from dad I know the engine has been completely rebuilt to what I would say is stock or very mild build specs (inquiring with the machine shop currently to find out about internals for sure) it has like 2500kms on it maybe 3k. The top end set up is throwing me threw a loop to say the least. I knew the setup was a mix match of parts but didnt realize to what extent. So here it is currently it has a holley 8400 carb (originally an emissions regulated 396 carb) the mechanic that put the new engine into the car and finished the top end sold it to dad for 50$ saying it would work great and was rebuilt which it was not might I add chev guy. it is fixed to a 1972 340 intake which is fixed to a set of 273 heads. So after some carb to intake sealing issues and speaking with my mechanic friend he suggested maybe getting a new carb setup. So I went one further and was looking at the weiand stealth 8022 intake manifold so I could go with a square bore 650 holley knowing the port sizes on the intake would match with the 273 heads. So prior to ordering I think to check the casting numbers on the 273 heads and lo and behold last three 315 64-65 cast heads... so from what I have read the bolt angle on these heads to the intake manifold should not fit any of these aftermarket Intake manifolds without modifications. But here we are with a 340 intake on the car... Any thoughts? Because I want to install a new aftermarket intake and carb setup to get rid of this tired old pos carb and because I cant find a DB4 intake that fits those heads and I want things done right should I look at replacing the heads with a standard 318 LA head or even a 318 302 cast head? I rather not use 360 heads because of the already poor engine compression of the 318. Any thoughts guys? Remember the engine has next to no miles on the bottom end it is fresh so I dont want to start over. I appreciate any input.

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I would replace the heads. If the competency of the "machinist" is as you think, they probably would still need hardened exhaust valve seats installed to run modern unleaded fuel. If you could find a good set of the "302" castings, that would be a good start.
 
thanks for the response. The machine shop is a legit establishment so I'm not concerned about the quality of the lower end or even the heads they were done right. I'm more so concerned that the mechanic that put the engine in the car and installed the intake carb etc may have just been throwing old parts at it that don't really work together ie the 64 65 273 heads with the odd intake manifold mounting angle and a 72 340 intake I'm assuming he must have drilled out the intake manifold bolt holes a bit. I'm leaning towards 302 heads currently with a weiand 8022 intake and 650 carb.
 
There is no way you have that one year only odd ball intake bolt angle head and that 340 intake on there, unless it was heavily modified.

That carb can be made to work. It's just a pain in the ***.

You can also go buy a ThermoQuad and it will go right on there and be 10 times the carb that Holley is.

My first car was a 72 Demon. 340 car. Factory 4 speed. I was the second owner (and a moron) and the only non numbers matching thing on that whole car was the carb. The original owner got rid of the TW and put the Holley on it. The only difference between that carb and the carb you have is mine was a double pumper.

Luckily, back in the day, my buddy's dad owned a wrecking yard. We went down and found an exact replacement, correct numbers TQ and we swapped carbs.

The TQ was far and away the better carb. And I got extra credit for doing a rebuild on it in shop class.

Don't discount the TQ carb.
 
I'm having the same issue believing that it is the 315 cast 273 64 65 oddball heads with a 340 intake but the numbers don't lie I attached a pic of the cast number on the heads and I know for a fact that it's a 340 intake I guess I might have to pull it just to see what or better yet how it is on there.
 
Grover72 said:
I'm having the same issue believing that it is the 315 cast 273 64 65 oddball heads with a 340 intake but the numbers don't lie I attached a pic of the cast number on the heads and I know for a fact that it's a 340 intake I guess I might have to pull it just to see what or better yet how it is on there.
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I need to get out my old DC book and look at those casting numbers. They used the same casting numbers for different heads. For example, the 915 casting was used for the T/A head. The only difference is the T/A head has the pushrod holes moved away from the intake port. Otherwise they are the exact same casting.

It could be Chrysler used that same casting and didn't use that goofy bolt angle later on. I don't remember all the casting numbers off the top of my head. That's why they put that **** in books. I have limited memory so I don't want to waste it by retaining useless numbers!!!!
 
Pull out an intake bolt.... the early ones were 5/16" and later were 3/8" IIRC. The bolt heads exposed LOOK like they are for 3/8" bolts. Additionally, if these were the early bolt holes at an angle, then the bolt heads would not screw down even with the clamping surfaces on the intake; they look to be seating properly.

I suppose it is conceivable that the holes were re-drilled in the heads and inserts installed for the larger, later bolts. Oops. I see you have figured that out!
 
Yes I suppose anything is convievable I'm going to pull the bolts tonight and see. But correct me if I'm wrong there is no way that the 340 intake should fit on those 64 65 315 cast heads with no modifications correct?
 
correct
listen to yr on the carb TQ or reproduction are great
keep it simple
you gain nothing by changing manifolds except some weight savings
do those 273 heads have smaller combustion chambers maybe to increase compression? if so your comment on lower compression with later 318 or 360 heads is spot on
what are the ccs of 302's and check enginequest iron heads
 
it looks like your rocker arms are on the wrong valves and the shaft hold down spacers are on wrong not centering the arms on the top center of valve also push rod rubbing head
 
A head swap would/should fix that?
I have a set of 302's that I haven't decided on if interested.
Before pulling those heads(if you do) I wonder if a leakdown and/or compression test would make sense before swapping heads?
Pm me if interested, I'm a fair distance away...Ontario.
 
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