Well... Prior to the purchase of my ’71 Swinger last March I knew very little about working on cars. Thanks in large part to this website I have acquired a basic understanding of my 6 and was even able to turn it into a daily driver for several months . Predictably, I caught the performance bug and have spent the last several months researching and setting out a precise plan of what I wanted to do... Of course this plan didn't consider time, money, space and my own inexperience...I plan to heed the warnings of others and not get in over my head, so with that in mind I am debating how far to go. I'm looking for performance, the car is no longer a daily driver so fuel economy is an afterthought. I have limited space (single car garage) so removing the engine is probably not going to be fefeasible. What would you veterans recommend? I am leaning towards an Offy intake, 390 Holley, performance cam, and dual exhaust, but is this worth it without any machine shop work? Should I stay simple with a super-six upgrade? Thanks.

Suspension upgrades:

Front / rear anti-roll bars and at least KYB shocks.

With the suspension improved you don't have to slow down for the corners (problematic with 4 wheel drum) and then you don't have to speed up again.

(better tires when they wear out)
(fake spinner wheels optional)

Super-six it and have
2.25" exhaust to muffler 2 or 1 7/8" after muffler.

recurve the distributor to max out of your combo.

_________________
Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

From the sound of it the powerplant has been in service for a while, right?

Since you are considering some induction mods, and assuming your bottom end is sound and healthy, I might suggest pulling the head for a shave and a valve job. I think it would be money well spent and wouldn't add significant down time to your upcoming project.

_________________
225 .030
.020 off the block .100 from head
Comp 264
904 Tranny
New Ebre-ting

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j103/edrod01/

Get another slant and build it as time and $$ permits. That's what spare bedrooms are for!

I rebuilt a VW engine in my dining room

_________________
'72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's Hookers on jack stands for 8 years in the driveway
'79 Maxivan 360 Offy Qjet Comp RV cam/rusting in the driveway.
93 D350 160HP Cummins Auto Dually Clubcab needs a injector pump
2005 Golden Couch Buick

I am in a similar situation and yes I am probably in over my head but..that's what a hobby is for. I pulled the engine and complete front end out of my duster in my single car garage...

The local community college offered an engine rebuilding course that was a big help. Check into it if you are near one. After that it's all time and money...Although being from Canada the cost of my hobby has dropped about 35 percent in the last few years....

GO LOONIE GO

_________________
Arizona Duster in Canada

i second that , go loonie go !!!

Thanks for the tips. I have yet to move into my garage, its 10x20 and I assumed that wouldn't be big enough for "the works." But maybe. I have no pressure to "get it right" in a timely manner so I might as well screw up and learn a whole bunch along the way. What's the fun in a hobby if it doesn't torture you a bit? Besides while I'm learning the ins and outs I can give the Swinger a Rustoleum paint job . Any of you tried that?

Here is a Rustoleum pain job for you....duct tape n roller

_________________
Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

skip the 2 barrell run straight to the 4! If the bottom end is healthy which is important for any build, leave the engine in the car. Get another head which is easy/cheap and build it than slap it onto our car. Bigger valves (1.77/1.44 are my fav), shave the head .1, and angle cut. Take care of the intake/exhaust like has been metioned before, next fix up the suspension. Rear gears should include an 8.25 with 3.55 posi. I personally think that this is a good cheap recipe for everyone who has recently wanted a little more kick and is a great starting place.

There is a thread on moparts.com called "paint job on a budget." I think it covers a paint that you can put on with a roller! I saw a 440-6 Cuda in Northern Alabama, Plumb Crazy purple. It was rolled and looked great!

It's in the Q&A section. I have yet to read that thread.

_________________
'72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's Hookers on jack stands for 8 years in the driveway
'79 Maxivan 360 Offy Qjet Comp RV cam/rusting in the driveway.
93 D350 160HP Cummins Auto Dually Clubcab needs a injector pump
2005 Golden Couch Buick

Oh I am well versed in the "art" of the roller. I spent the better half of a Saturday morning reading that thread. Hot Rod magazine did a feature on that...got good results with a Falcon.

I used the roller/Rustoleum technique on my Valiant. I'm happy with the results. Remember, my car is a daily driver (although it secretly dreams of road racing ), not a showpiece. It's all one color, it actually shines when I wash and wax it, and it's one part of the long-term project that I actually finsihed!



Touch-up and color matching should be easy, as well.

"Real" automotive paint systems, properly applied, are better. They involve a little less work - repeated sanding, mostly - and cause more overspray, environmental, and safety issues if done at home. They are also a lot more expensive. My paint came out better than the few basic MAACO paint jobs I've seen up close. It is not nearly as good as factory paint.

Pay your money and take your choice!

_________________
"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Rustoleum is definetely the route I'm heading. I'm for the cheap DIY solutions, with the satisfaction of knowing YOU did everything. Of course that philosophy might be the product of no-money/inexperience. I work for a sportscar magazine that covers auctions, and man its amazing how particular some people can be about perfection in their car... worrying about the littlest orange peel or rock chip. To each their own, but I want to drive my car.

I just repainted a fender on my "other" truck ('96 Ram with the bad OEM primer) with rustoleum from the spray can, and was surprised at how good it came out! Very shiny and smooth. I just sanded it out, and shot it in my garage.

_________________
'81 D150 2WD shortbed 4spd OD.

I painted a 84 Nissan pickup with the Rustoleum spray can (Sail Blue) and it looked good. The trick is the wet sanding and then spray the Rustoleum clear. If I find the pic I'll post it.

_________________
67Cuda,FAST EZEFI,340cu,CR=10.25,RollerCam&Rocker (XR268HR,#20-810-9)(#1622-16)(EddyRPM#60779,#7576), (MSD6AL,#6425) A904, GearVendorsOD, 8 1/4,3.55:1, ClassicAir