Help with 318

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KB9GIB

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My son has a 1970 318 in his demon. we have a set of 302 heads on it I think the intake is elder LD4B, elder 650 carb, only number I find on the cam is EDEL 955836, I can’t find any spec on it with 323 gears. This thing starts runs out good but will not get out of its own way. So just looking for advice what do you think the problem is with the performance issue. Thanks for any advice. Mike
 
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Really hard to know what one person calls "won't get out of it's own way" vs another person. In other words, somebody use to 11 second street cars and this Demon runs 14.6's, seems super slow but it's actually about right in the ballpark of expected performance for "what ya have". But.....
  • If the cam is too big and the converter is too tight, she'll be a dead pig to get going.
  • However, Start with initial timing. Then total timing. Then the proper curve to try and get the most you can out of it.
  • Make sure the carb is functioning properly - like going all the way open when it's floored. Watch and make sure the mechanical secondaries are coming open all the way when you floor it (check with the car off)
 
I appreciate your thoughts Do you think the heads and intake are ok for this motor? We have it out of the car now was putting a 340 in it but the machine shop has yet to get the work done. so we thought we would just put the 318 back in till winter. I just always thought it was probably the heads killing the performance. Until I was reading saying the 302 was ok head’s. I do think you for your time. Thanks Kb9gib southern Illinois
 
318willrun gives you a good starting point. I bought a 340 when i was 16, guy said it was a race motor. It wouldnt get out of it own way off the line. stock torque converter, 2.76 gears. stock distributor. 600 cfm. 14.4 in the quartermile. I ordered a mopar performance electronic ignition kit, gold box. Picked up a 650 holley, played with jets/power valves, timing, got it down to 13.1 with the dog leg 2.76 7 1/4. smoking the tire as soon as i hit 3000 rpms. Turns out compression was 12.5. lift was .600 ish.
 
A 70 teen with 302's is a good combo. Probably close to 10:1 with no problem with ping on pump gas. A LD4B and a 650 is perfect. I am setting here at lunch so I can't look up the cam but I will keep reading.
 
I think you all for the information I have tried looking the cam spec up but didn’t have any luck. Thanks KB9GIB
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What kind of ignition timing and advance curves do you have? Running a vacuum advance? I assume you set the cam timing properly when you assembled it?
 
I appreciate your thoughts Do you think the heads and intake are ok for this motor? We have it out of the car now was putting a 340 in it but the machine shop has yet to get the work done. so we thought we would just put the 318 back in till winter. I just always thought it was probably the heads killing the performance. Until I was reading saying the 302 was ok head’s. I do think you for your time. Thanks Kb9gib southern Illinois
Heads... yes, heads. Another key component to smooth idle, gas mileage, quick starts, and performance. I think the 302's are fine for what you a planning, but it is a MUST that the valves are sealing. Leaky valves are a killer to all I listed above.
 
........and don't forget cam timing, exhaust restrictions, or "the simple stuff" like does the throttle actually open the carb all the way? Gearing, tire diameter.............

What do you run for an air filter?

A low low stall converter can really make a car seem "dead"
 
If it is out of the car pull the timing cover and check the cam timing.
Call/email edelbrock and see what they can tell you about the cam.

The cam in my 360 was so far out it would barely run. Degreed it in as close as possible to where I wanted it and it runs way better.
Cranking compression, initial and total timing all play into it like noted.
 
If it is out of the car pull the timing cover and check the cam timing.
Call/email edelbrock and see what they can tell you about the cam.

The cam in my 360 was so far out it would barely run. Degreed it in as close as possible to where I wanted it and it runs way better.
Cranking compression, initial and total timing all play into it like noted.
Thanks I’m going to call and check the cam spec. Thanks for all your information and help
 
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