Improving acceleration using 2bbl Carburetor?

slantsixdan said
These cars run and drive fine when everything's in proper repair and adjustment. Sounds like you need more repairs and adjustments before thinking of upgrades. No, slapping on a 2bbl or a 4bbl doesn't just automatically give you better or much-better acceleration, and putting on a different kind of carburetor like this is non-trivial on a '64 Dart.

Your mechanic doesn't sound quite capable of doing what needs doing, if this is how you got the car back after he "rebuilt and tuned" the carburetor. Carburetor operation and repair manuals and links to training movies and carb repair/modification threads are posted here for free download. Follow Tune-up parts and technique suggestions in this post. And don't forget the valve adjustment.

George Jets said
Readjust those valves, slant 6s have mechanical valves and they need to be adjusted. Probably been a long long time since it has been done.

It will just plain run better when you adjust the valves.

If V8 could have mechanical valves or hydraulic valves. 273s had mechanical valves.

nitro_rat said
OP posted a question i the /6 forum regarding upgrading his '64 Valiant to a 2 barrel carburetor. Safe to assume it's a /6. Doesn't matter if it's a 170 or a 225, a 2 barrel (or 4 barrel for that matter) isn't going to fix his issues. He needs a competent person (could be anyone, including himself) to baseline the car back to proper tune. This includes valve lash, timing, and carb settings. Until this is done, upgrades are futile. Chances are he will be satisfied with proper performance of the car in stock condition.

Along the same lines, I have been involved with Ford Model A's in the past. There is much to do in that sector of the hobby with "hop ups" and hydraulic brake conversions. Guys are always blown away that a "stock" A properly assembled to factory tolerances and proper tune with mechanical brakes runs and drives better than a cobbled together job with all the fancy "must have" mods. They weren't built to be a parade car! Yes, a stock Model A will both run 70 mph and lock up all 4 tires with mechanical brakes (if it's all within spec)!!!

It's a 270 /6. How do I adjust valves and "baseline" the car back to tune, and what tools would I need?

I'm fully on board with doing everything I can to get it to run better before I upgrade it or throw money at it. This car is stock when it comes to the engine bay. Front brakes have been converted, but off the top of my head that's the only real change that's been made. I want to get it to running its best and then figure out what to do from there

Edit: Just realized slant six dan provided me with a valve adjustment link