Mopar Of The Week - December 23, 2012

Who Needs Rudolph?

Tech Archives - 60 Amp Alternator Upgrade

• I'll be switching to a 60 AMP alternator when we start up the new motor. I think I'm all set with what needs to change with the engine bay wiring. What I'm hoping for input on is the dash wiring. I've heard that there can be issues with the extra heat causing issues? Can somebody confirm or deny this? What should be done to make sure there are no issue? Also, if I just want to get things working, would could be an easy fix?  Josh Mitchell


• I think the trouble comes with the ammeter because all of the current is flowing through it and by boosting the alternator output, you're increasing the load on the ammeter. If you bypass the ammeter, I don't think there's any problem with the dash wiring. You can also replace it with a voltmeter, or you can have the ammeter upgraded.  Menko Johnson


• Just remember, the alternator is ONLY going to pump what its "told" to by the voltage regulator. Get a good electronic regulator and youll be fine. Also if you are going to get "jiggy" with the electrical system and are not going for resto-show appearance, I would consider fused relays for both headlight circuits. By routing 12V power straight to the headlights from the battery, and not tapping 9.5-10V out of the old harness and bulkhead connector, your lights will look like Halogens. Just use the stock 12V+ wires to the headlights as the relay exciter voltage, 12V battery buss power to the power input side of the relay and power out to the stock headlight harness. Put all the relays under the battery tray and youll never notice them.  Steve Wander

Mopar of the Week - December 14, 2012

Tech Archives - Carb Swap

I have been thinking that maybe my lame gas mileage has something to do with my carb being a bit on the large size for a stock 273 with a .425" lift, 260 duration cam... Right now I average around 10-11 mpg, and now that my Kickdown is working, I drive a little mellower... I have a 600cfm 4 bbl Eddie on there now, which I have even jetted and rodded down to a "Stage 10" from the tuning guide, which is as lean as you can make this model...
Chuck

While we are on this subject, I too am in a quandry about carbs. Using the formula of 2CFM per horsepower, (is this a good formula?) a stock 273 should be happy with a 450 CFM, 4bbl. This should be adequate for up to 225 HP, which would be fine for a mildly tuned, low-compresssion 273. So, does anyone have a recomendation for such a carb? Also, can someone recomend a duel-plane manifold for this carb and engine? I'm told the duel-plane will work best with a mild engine and automatic. It supposedly gives much better low-end torque. What say you?
Steve Leek

Years ago I had a 65 Formula S that I swapped the Carter out for a Holley 450 4bbl and it was on the stock single plane manifold it gave me everything I wanted. I ran it allot on the 1/8 mile and it held it's own with the Mustangs & Nova's this was a 4 speed car but I think that a single or dual plane manifold will give you all you want. I don't think at the weight of are cars you will really notice the difference between the two manifolds unless you are planning on building it up and racing it. There is my 2 cents worth and good luck.
George Walling

Last car we built was a 55 chevy with a well built 355. It originally had a victor jr. single plane. From about 3200 rpms and up, hold on. But below that, it wasn't too enjoyable; wouldn't pull from down low, shuddered, etc... We switched to a edelbrock RPM air gap dual plane intake (rpm range 1500 - 6500) and couldn't have been happier with it. It ran just as good for being a street car and was much more enjoyable stopsign to stopsign too.
Arron DeRousse

There is no reason a properly setup 600 cfm carb won't be fine. The engine only uses what the air flows to it when it is correctly carbureted. I ran a Carter 770 cfm carb from my 68 Charger R/T on my 65 Formula S 273 4-speed 3.55 gear, using a carb to manifold adapter for over 50,000 happy street and strip miles. No problems. Of course, I was not searching for optimum mileage. The plugs showed it was fine. If you want optimum mileage, get a 2bbl intake and carb from a 318, put 2.76 gears in the rear and drive like you have an egg under your foot that you would rather not crack. You will get 20 to 23 mpg on the highway like my automatic 318 Scamp does. First order of business should be to tune what you have with carb, plugs, and timing.
Tom Stroup

I run nothing but Holleys. They are easy to tune and work on. The GoldFish got 18-19 MPG as long as you kept it under 70 on the highway (317 RwHp, 318, Holley 680 4150(vac 2ndry), Edlebrock Performer (a really good choice for a 273 too), Hot Hughes mech cam, A904 Auto, 3.23:1 8.75", 225 50 15 tires). The 680 Holley (650 with the choke horn cut off), worked really well on the old 273 too.
Dave Mapes

Mopar Of The Week - December 9, 2012

What Makes You A Car Guy?

What makes you a car guy? Or car girl for that matter? Why do you like cars? What makes you pause when a Hemi Roadrunner drives down the road? Why do you stop at tag sales when there's car parts laying on the lawn?

Driving to work today I was asking myself these questions and I can't really pinpoint a specific answer. I don't know if its a lifestyle or a sub-culture, but I like being known as a car guy.

This past year while experiencing my "Automotive Burnout", I still knew I was a car guy because I would see an older car on the highway, or drive past a cruise night and I felt that spark inside me light up for a moment. I can still tell most makes and models by the headlights or the tail lights. I still liked to see the cars even if I didn't want to stop and look around.

I finally snapped out of it and have a new upgrade to focus on at the moment. The questions still linger. What is it about these older cars that I like? Well, I like making something worn out work again. I like making something old, new and usable. I like being seen in my car when I drive around and taking time to talk to people in parking lots about cars.

I like upgrading old technology with new components to improve its function. I like putting my personal spin and custom touches on a stock design and making it my own.

Mopar Of The Week - December 2, 2012