Engine Upgrade

[Harte3]

The 390 is a popular choice for the BB6...but we have about four different after market manifolds to choose from and don't have to get innovative with a log head set up to make them fit.
Holley has an eBay auction (holleyperformance) and 390's show up there from time to time and can usually be had for some less than retail.

 

[Vin Man]

The 390 is a popular choice for the BB6...but we have about four different after market manifolds to choose from and don't have to get innovative with a log head set up to make them fit.
Holley has an eBay auction (holleyperformance) and 390's show up there from time to time and can usually be had for some less than retail.

What is "BB6"?

 

[Soldmy66]

BB6 = Big Block Six. This is a reference to Ford's 240 - 300 series of inline six engines.

 

[Vin Man]

BB6 = Big Block Six. This is a reference to Ford's 240 - 300 series of inline six engines.

Thank you very much.

 

[sp_alloy_head]

I dug up an old post by Mustangroo, his old 2v setup with a 5200 and 9.5:1 compression ratio. http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php? ... light=#316
LINK

 

[Vin Man]

That was a great post. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Vin Man]

I found the link to the HW5200 carb at Stovebolt. $65 as you guys mentioned.
http://www.stoveboltengineco.com/acartp ... ductid=149

Looks like it has a hot air choke from the picture. I also found this one on ebay that advertises with an electric choke. I would prefer an electric choke. Does anyone know if this ebay carb would be a problem for my application?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 88604&rd=1

Since you have all helped so much, let me pose a couple of other questions.
1. What water pump would you recommend?
2. What oil pump would you recommend?
3. What fuel pump would you recommend.

Original plan is to go with stock on all three of the above. However, if I can upgrade the water pump, I will. Don't want to take any chances with overheating here in the Valley of the Sun.

 

[Eric Rose]

What are the measurements of that carb flange? The diameters of the holes, distance between the studs, etc?

It looks like the base pattern from my old Datsun B-210. The Datsuns had a Hitachi 2 barrel that was a little smaller than the H/W 5200. I had an extra carb for the Datsun so my dad and I made an adapter for it and put it on the flathead six on his '48 Ford F-1. It ran pretty decent on that motor. It was a pretty common carb as a lot of Japanese cars from the '70's used it so I'm sure you can get jets etc. for it

 

[Bobscoupe]

I think cobrasix is running a 390 cfm on his aussie headed 200.

 

[Vin Man]

Thanks. I'll look him up and send him a pm.

 

[Vin Man]

Some decisions I've made:

I want a smooth ride around town and want to be able to run the cheap gas (87 octane).

Regarding the Aussie head, I'm going to take it to a mahcine shop, have it cleaned and inspected. I'm going to keep it stock and not port/polished. I am going to have the port diverted installed for the exhaust. Need to get one (need to find this part). If valve job is needed, I'll have it done and only add hardened seats if there has been deterioration and they are needed. I'll have it milled to ensure it is flat and can mate up to the engine block.

Regarding cam, I think I'm going to go with the 260. Very mild. I want a smooth ride.

Exhaust - headers definitely. I plan on using a two into one muffler with dual outlets.

Decisions left to make:

Carb is still undecided. The intake I have is also made for the head. It is set up for a 2bbl. I am contemplating a 4bbl as I expect I would get better gas mileage around town when only on the 2bbls, but would have the benefit of the full 4bbls when I need it.

Short block - haven't decided yet if I am going to have mine rebuilt or just do an engine exchange with Five Star. Either way, I'll need to supply the cam.

I suspect I'll wind up with a compression ratio around 9:1.
I plan to keep the stock rear end.

Thanks so far for the input. I've found this site very helpful, along with input from Mike at Classic Inlines.

Another step completed. I've decided to stick with the C4 tranny and not think about the AOD upgrade at this time. That will be a project for the future.

I've searched this forum and, from what I can tell, more people say the gain isn't worth the pain of a port divider. I don't want to spend the money on a "maybe" improvement. I'll skip it for now.

Really leaning towards a 2bbl. I figure, try the 2bbl. If not good enough, buy the adapter and try someone else's (it would have to be a good friend ) 4bbl and see if I like it. If so, buy my own 4bbl.

Ordered the HW5200 2bbl from Stovebolt today.

 

[48fordnut]

I bought my h/w from stovebolt, new with the elect choke and adapter. its mocked up but not installed. using a drop center air cleaner with a piece of .090 welded in,have the stock fairmont linkage, going to use a -6 braided line. for exhaust I will be using a D8 exhaust manifold that is ported to gasket size.

 

[Vin Man]

I bought my h/w from stovebolt, new with the elect choke and adapter. its mocked up but not installed. using a drop center air cleaner with a piece of .090 welded in,have the stock fairmont linkage, going to use a -6 braided line. for exhaust I will be using a D8 exhaust manifold that is ported to gasket size.

I looked on the site for a place to order the electric choke, but didn't see it. When they call me back (so I can give payment info) I was going to ask about it. Did you get the electric choke from Stovebolt too?

 

[48fordnut]

I rec everything from them. he sold me a new carb,85, adapter 10?, elect choke 15,with shipping it came to 120 something. I don't have the paper work at my hand. I called and 10 min later all my questions were answered and we were hanging up, 4 days later I had a nice package.I was like you not knowing which way to go. I ask here and got good response. I am a eng builder so some things may go easier for me. no divider plate, exhaust manifold hogged out to gasket size. 20 min job with a die grinder and a sharp stone.Found a alum v/c ,only visual appeal. I have the huge exhaust manifold and am replacing it with a D-8 i think. the best performance item is a gear change. I have a 3.08 and srod 4 speed and at 70 mph its is only 2000 rpm. that is with a 28'' tire.

 

[Vin Man]

Great! When I connect with them to pay for existing item, I'll be sure to add the elec choke.

 

[Vin Man]

Spoke with Tom at Stovebolt yesterday. He does have the electric choke and convinced me to purchase a new carbfor an extra $20 as opposed to the reman for $65. He also offered to help me identify the proper air clearner once I have installed the engine and carb. He wants to know how much room I will have between carb and hood so he can maximize air cleaner.

Nice guy.

Mike at ClassicInlines and I have been trading emails. Mike informed me that even though I have a 2bbl intake, I will still need a adapter to get the HW5200 to mate up. He has those in stock and I'll get them when I order all my gaskets.

I'm getting excited! Hope to get this project finished this summer!

 

[Vin Man]

I
Since you have all helped so much, let me pose a couple of other questions.
1. What water pump would you recommend?
2. What oil pump would you recommend?
3. What fuel pump would you recommend.

Original plan is to go with stock on all three of the above. However, if I can upgrade the water pump, I will. Don't want to take any chances with overheating here in the Valley of the Sun.

Summit has a GMB water pump for $40. Autozone and Checker both sell the Cardone water pump for about $35. Anyone have a preference?

Summitt also has the oil pump and pickup kit for about $60. It is their own brand. Autozone/Checker have the Melling for $64. Again, anyone have a recommendation?

 

[wallaka]

Water pump, don't care. I'd go with the Melling oil pump, they are a known quantity. M65-B. M65-C fits but puts the pickup right at the bottom of the pan. Trust me on this.

 

[Vin Man]

The 65B was the plan. Thx. The summitt pump is alum so I'll go with that one.

 

[Vin Man]

I have been running the stock distributor with a Petronix module for the last few years. It has worked fine.

Since this will continue to be a daily driver - not a racer - would anyone strongly suggest I change out the distributor? If so, what do you recommend (and why)?

Thanks.