1776 w/SP & single carb?

[siromega]

Hi all, I am about to drop almost 3k on a new engine, a 1776 and had a few questions:

1- Is it better (performance wise) to goto dual carbs or a single larger carb? My builder said it is harder to work on engines with dual carbs (I will maintain the car myself), and also a bit harder to dial them in as opposed to single unit.

2- Is it possible to go to single port or would a DP setup provide more torque/power? I drive 20 miles each way daily freeway and there are a couple hills with 65MPH speed limit.

3- The 1776 is going to crank out about 80-90 horsepower (with the dual port heads and dual carbs), will I wreck my tranny should I happen to peel-out at a takeoff?

4- Lastly, how much will my mileage suffer as opposed to a stock 1600,DP,single carb like it has now (about 26mpg currently) this is not an issue with me, but am merely curious as to the difference while NOT hotrodding the engine.)

Thanks in advance all.

[wrenchnride247]

I had a 1776 about twelve years ago, give or take a few years. It had dual 40mm webers, stock dual ports with heavy single springs, engle 110 cam, counterweighted DPR crank, lightend flywheel, 1700# pressure plate with solid disc. I had fun with that motor for about two years then finally, broke second gear in the tranny . I guess thats what i get for using a stock tranny thats never been rebuilt in thirty years. Sold motor, and put bug on blocks until six months ago.

The dual carbs will by far, out perform a single carb. If you don't push the duals hard they get good gas mileage. As far as adjustments they can be a pain to keep in sync, if you don't have good linkage between them.

Dual port heads are far better than singles anyday!

A rebuilt stock tranny will work if you don't try and pull wheelies and do burnouts all the time. If you want to beef the tranny, steel shift forks,and welded third, and fourth gears, and a super diff should do the trick .

Hope this helps.

[siromega]

Thanks Wrench!

[Lazarus]

i agree with wrench. i know a guy who has a 54 oval on a 71 pan with a 1776 with dual 40 idfs he has had it for several years it gets 35 mpg. he has driven it to the beach ,which is about 250 miles away, about five different times and it is still going strong. that is the reason im building a 1776 as a spare for my car.