performance parts

[flattiefreak]

Hello all, I am thinking about trying to get a few more horsepower from my 230 flathead. It is stock at the moment, but would like to get a little more power without paying an arm and leg. The engine is in my 1958 plymouth that has about 500 miles on it. What are you guys doing for power gains? Im not expecting to break any land records or anything just wanna be able to go a little faster on the hiway..Maybe a dual or tripple carb set up, split exhaust, and pointless distributor.

thanks

[Don Coatney]

Have you done a forum search to see what others have done?

[flattiefreak]

yes, I just did that and found alot of info.

thanks!

[Plymouthy Adams]

try an overdrive or at least rear gear upgrade....at the cost of fuel..this will give you the best bang for the buck...you already have about 30 ponies over the stock late 40's vehicle..

at 75 MPH I imagine my headlight rolling as eyes in their sockets saying who is this weenie not to give it the gas...110 HP and a 3.73 gear, stock..gears make the crusier..not to say if you wish just to pump it up for the sake of doing it is not ok..but I still think I'd start with gearing..you pump up one with the stock gears..you still going to turn the ever screaming high rev s the gears set the rpm/speed..give it legs and stretch it out and get back to your new power band the increase duration of a performance cam will yield..you be booking with the best of them..

[randroid]

Flatie,

Don's right on the search thing. Some parts and pieces give noticeable power increases, like dual carbs and split exhaust, but keep in mind that for every dollar you want to spend there are bunch of people willing to let you spend it with them. My engine is stock and what I know about spiffy stuff I learned here.

Another approach would be to not mess with it at all, at least not yet. With 500 miles on it it's hardly broken in yet, so cruise with it this summer and get comfortable with it, and during the interim read past posts and check out the purveyors mentioned in them.

I like speed and power and go-fast and find it fun to hear accounts of how an engine putting out the max conceivable suddenly and inexplicably went south. You could drop a SBC into it and spend probably less than what five of our 218s would cost, but having a close-to-stock setup will give you longer engine life. Back in the fifties it was possible to get around seventy hp out of a stock 36hp VW engine but their longevity was from here to there and not an inch father, and why I'm saying this is that (other than being the most radical tweaking I've ever seen) performance doesn't stop costing you once you buy the part.

I hope to eventually have duals, split, and a good electronic ignition in mine so it isn't that I'm against upping the ante but keep in mind that when you hump the engine you're also over-stressing the clutch, tranny, U-joints, and rear end, and they ain't Spring chickens anymore.

Whatever you decide I wish you the best with it and keep us posted, please.

-Randy

[flattiefreak]

Thank you all. I will probably just get a stovebolt HEI dist in a few months. This is my daily driver now. ..then later on split exhaust and dual carbs

[Plymouthy Adams]

get a good cam and take advantage of the increased breathing...

[greg g]

Suck, squeeze, bang, blow!! Improve any one a lot o a bit to each one and imrovements can be had.

Look at old daddys website Rustyhope.com

look at Mooses website

call George Asch number int he vendors section

What do you plan to do with any extra HP you may pickup???

Have you read capt Fred's 210 hop up thread?

What ideas did you gain from reading the theads when you did your search?

Why do you want to put a GM distrubutor in your Mopar, when a pertronix will accomplish the same thing withoug having a big ugly GM part hanging off your engine?

[Al B. Bach]

I understand wanting some more power but I also agree with Randy. I would just enjoy the car and maybe look at some upgrades next winter if you still think it needs it. That's what I am doing with the 265 in my Windsor. I hope to put Moose's dual carb and exhaust in mine next winter but I am doing it more for the mileage increase and better breathing qualities that come hand in hand with a better carb and exhaust. I have to wait to see if his setup works with a semi-auto first though.

How about it Moose? Any luck finding out if the dual carbs are going to be okay with the semi-auto?

[james curl]

I run a stock distributor on my 48 P15 and a Stovebolt HEI on my 55 Chevy pick up with 235 6 and can see no difference. The Plymouth starts right up and runs very smooth as does the pick up. I haven't touched the distributor on the 48 Plymouth in the last three years when I replaced it with a used unit from the junk yard. The upper bushing in the old one wore to the point that the shaft wobbled allowing the point gap to vary as the engine ran.

[moose]

How about it Moose? Any luck finding out if the dual carbs are going to be okay with the semi-auto?

No luck yet, I'm still trying to find the time to find out if it will work. Hopefully in the next couple of months I can buy a new house(mine sold real quick and we're going to be homeless if we don't find one soon!) with a big garage then I can start production again. Might be a while after that till I can get to my own stuff again. Better to have too much business than not enough though, right?

[greg g]

There should be no reason why dual carbs wouldn't work as long as one of the carbs maintanes the correct connectios to the trans and ignition. The second cab would be a drone. Give George A a call and query him regarding duals and semi automatics.

It might be a bit wierd but can't see why it wouldn't work.

Moose, Good to hear real estate is moving in NE. where are you looking for new domicile?

[moose]

There should be no reason why dual carbs wouldn't work as long as one of the carbs maintanes the correct connectios to the trans and ignition. The second cab would be a drone. Give George A a call and query him regarding duals and semi automatics.

It might be a bit wierd but can't see why it wouldn't work.

Moose, Good to hear real estate is moving in NE. where are you looking for new domicile?

I figure it would work about the same, just use one of them as a "lead"(maybe I'm too politically correct to call the other one a "dummy") I'm going to use two of the same style, with all the connections. Over the years I've come up with four of them! I just buy every B&B I come across, never know when you might need it.

Yeah Greg, my house sold super quick, didn't have a chance to look before, but we're looking pretty much only in Scituate MA. It's on the South Shore, and closer to downtown for the wife's work. Easier for the commuter rail, beaches, that sorta stuff... We're probably gonna make an offer this week on one we've been looking at.

[greg g]

Hope the Scituat ion works out for you. How close to the water??

[Plymouthy Adams]

Greg...you been watching Fletch..? quoting Calculus Entrophy here..?

[greg g]

Man: Uh, sir, this is a secure area.

Fletch: Well, I'm very happy for you, son. Most people live in terrible neighborhoods.

[Al B. Bach]

I figure it would work about the same, just use one of them as a "lead"(maybe I'm too politically correct to call the other one a "dummy") I'm going to use two of the same style, with all the connections. Over the years I've come up with four of them! I just buy every B&B I come across, never know when you might need it.

Yeah Greg, my house sold super quick, didn't have a chance to look before, but we're looking pretty much only in Scituate MA. It's on the South Shore, and closer to downtown for the wife's work. Easier for the commuter rail, beaches, that sorta stuff... We're probably gonna make an offer this week on one we've been looking at.

I was thinking the same thing. As long as one of the carbs has the dash pot and all the wires are still hooked to it, I don't see how the transmission would care if there is another carb. I may end up trying it before you do:D I guess I could be your guinea pig and see if it works.

Good luck with the new home purchase!

Carl