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  • 3 Post By mrmustang
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Thread: A vette for the firebird
          
   
   

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  1. 04-18-2022 04:40 PM #1
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    firebird77clone
    firebird77clone is offline CHR Member
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    A vette for the firebird

     



    so, I've got this 78 chevette which I bought back from my brother in law, I sold it to him in '10.

    He was having trouble with it, put on a new carb but couldn't get it running well.

    First thing I noticed was an electric fuel pump mounted atop the shock tower. A little research showed that pump rated to 7 psi and gravity feed. I'm pretty sure the stock carb is rated 3-4.

    A quick check on output pressure showed 5 psi with no flo

    I cut the top off a beer can, filled it with fuel, and put it next to the pump with the inlet hose in the can.

    The car fired off real easy, ran like crap, and sucked the can DRY in just a FEW seconds.

    So, I'm thinking the carb has something similar to a power valve which fails when over pressure?
    .
    Education is expensive. Keep that in mind, and you'll never be terribly upset when a project goes awry.
    EG
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  3. 04-18-2022 06:30 PM #2
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    mrmustang
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    Quote Originally Posted by firebird77clone View Post
    so, I've got this 78 chevette which I bought back from my brother in law, I sold it to him in '10.

    He was having trouble with it, put on a new carb but couldn't get it running well.

    First thing I noticed was an electric fuel pump mounted atop the shock tower. A little research showed that pump rated to 7 psi and gravity feed. I'm pretty sure the stock carb is rated 3-4.

    A quick check on output pressure showed 5 psi with no flo

    I cut the top off a beer can, filled it with fuel, and put it next to the pump with the inlet hose in the can.

    The car fired off real easy, ran like crap, and sucked the can DRY in just a FEW seconds.

    So, I'm thinking the carb has something similar to a power valve which fails when over pressure?
    Pull the 4cyl out of it and install a proper 350 4V in it's place
    Mike P, NTFDAY and 40FordDeluxe like this.
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  4. 04-18-2022 06:34 PM #3
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    Come on Bill go big or go home.


    https://bangshift.com/general-news/c...n-bench-races/


    .
    ted dehaan, NTFDAY, johnboy and 3 others like this.
    I've NEVER seen a car come from the factory that couldn't be improved.....
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  5. 04-19-2022 05:31 AM #4
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    mrmustang
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mike P View Post
    Come on Bill go big or go home.


    https://bangshift.com/general-news/c...n-bench-races/


    .
    Had a good friend who tried a similar "Boss 429" to Pinto conversion back in 1983, why, just because he could. Car made one pass down his driveway, then turned turtle at the road......Boss 429 engine was eventually installed back in his 70 Boss 429 Mustang, but it did take another 11+ years for that to occur.

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  6. 04-19-2022 11:54 AM #5
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    Looking at a picture of the kit for a 1978 Chevette carb it only contains gaskets, needle & seat & accelerator pump. There's no power valve shown in the rebuild kit, but popping the top off will tell you for sure really quick....

    Now about the engine swap options.....
    Roger
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  7. 04-19-2022 01:01 PM #6
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    Actually I was pondering the S&S 80 CI V twin from my '01 Indian chief.
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    Education is expensive. Keep that in mind, and you'll never be terribly upset when a project goes awry.
    EG
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  8. 04-20-2022 06:19 AM #7
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    Just use the whole V-Twin from the bike. It'll probably have more guts!

    Certainly sound better too!
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  9. 05-12-2022 06:14 AM #8
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    Just use the intake down from a 4.8 LS.
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    Ryan
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  10. 05-12-2022 08:06 PM #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe View Post
    Just use the intake down from a 4.8 LS.
    WHAT?? No Cummins??? LOL
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