Question about 540 CI Dart Motor

[Solid LT1]

Originally Posted by 68Cuda

If the money is not an issue, go EFI. You will have to swap out the whole fuel system though.

By the way, quite a few cars on this site do not have LS engines...

I had one of those Weiand 440 Six Pack "super stock" manifolds back in the 70's on my Mopar, that thing had HORRIBLE! Fuel distribution problems, I nearly took a piston out with that thing....sold it for cheap...I hear they are worth some $$$ nowadays..

Back to OP, you want a billet mechanical fuel pump and do yourself a favor and make sure that big Rat motor has a lightweight fuel pump pushrod in it for high RPM reliability. The Carter AFB dual quads aren't known for being a good road race style carb, a single big Holley 4bbl carb will probably make more power and perform better in hard cornering. My buddy is building a touring 55 Chevy and he's using that dual quad intake with 2 FAST 4bbl throttle body/injectors on his 454 motor, he had a aluminum plate CNC'd to offset the throttle body's and make them fit the intake, it probably won't make as much power as a well done port fuel injection intake but, he wanted the 2X4bbl look on his motor. When the bill is all totaled up, I think he will have around $4K invested in his EFI project....about 1/2 the price of an all aluminum LS3 crate engine

When you replace the fuel lines go with PFTE or "Teflon" style hoses as they can tolerate the ethanol in modern pump gas. Earls, Fragola, Tech AFX are some good sources for PFTE style hose/fittings.

I'm looking closer at you engine photos....looks like you have a good billet mechanical pump on that Rat motor....rebuild kits can be sourced from Speedway Motors or CV products if you think then fuel pump diaphragm/check valves have problems.

[uxojerry]

I think it would be important to get the current fueling issues fixed, carbs tuned etc., before going efi. You may find that you like the current set up.

I would suggest finding a local trustworthy engine shop. Have them fix your current issues and do a partial tear down on the motor and check everything out. That will get you the piston, head and cam specs and some peace of mind.

If you decide to go efi, check with F&B Throttle Bodies. They do a lot of 2x4 and 3x2 efi kits and are very reasonable.

The best BBC resource on the internet, is the performance section of the chevelle forum. A member near you may be willing to give you a hand.

Your car is beautiful and has some very nice parts and outstanding craftsmanship as depicted in the photos. Good luck working out the bugs.

Is that a Dart aluminum block? Photos kind of lead me in that direction. If so that is around $4k above an iron Big M.

[68Cuda]

Originally Posted by Solid LT1

I had one of those Weiand 440 Six Pack "super stock" manifolds back in the 70's on my Mopar, that thing had HORRIBLE! Fuel distribution problems, I nearly took a piston out with that thing....sold it for cheap...I hear they are worth some $$$ nowadays.

Take a close look... no fuel distribution problems with this intake. This intake is considered the best cast manifold ever made for the 440. It takes some modifications and considerable tuning to get it to work good with the six pack carbs because the fuel tends to puddle under the center carb. It was originally intended for super stock use and was not meant to be used on a street car. Mine is converted to port EFI - no fuel mixture issues! Best of both worlds!

By the way, those intakes start around $1k these days, depending on condition.

Originally Posted by uxojerry

If you decide to go efi, check with F&B Throttle Bodies. They do a lot of 2x4 and 3x2 efi kits and are very reasonable.

F&B did the six pack intake on my car (see my previous post for a picture).