Need some input on swapping my 318 from a 2bbl to a 4.

[Lonesome7.3]

It is unanimous now. All my friends have given me shit for my plans to reinstall the cast iron 2bbl intake and carb on my 72 318. I planned to do so because this 72 ¾ Dodge truck gets pretty good fuel mileage. Even with the 2bbl carb leaking as much fuel as it sends into the combustion chamber. That is why I have reservations about swapping to a 4 bbl. I want to extra power but not the extra fuel consumption. So I ask, what are my options? I can find used intakes and carbs. What should I stay away from? I am looking for a reasonably priced solution. I am not hot rodding this truck. But it would be nice to have some extra power when pulling a trailer up hills. Is there a junk yard solution maybe? I know little about carbs, so please dumb down your responses and shoot me some ideas.

 

[1BADSS396]

Not sure about Dodge's from that era. But my 71 Olds Cutlass with a 350 and 4bbl got better fuel mileage than my 72 Buick Skylark with a 350 2bbl. Why? Because the primarys on the 4 bbl are smaller than the 2bbl, so if you do not open the secondaries, it gets better mileage.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

I have heard that from a few of my friends. I was wondering if it was true or a wives tale. I am hearing it enough now that there must be something to it.

 

[txab]

It's all in your foot.

And leave your wife's tail out of it.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

I prefer not to. It is a nice tail.

 

[That Crazy Squirrel]

Not sure about Dodge's from that era. But my 71 Olds Cutlass with a 350 and 4bbl got better fuel mileage than my 72 Buick Skylark with a 350 2bbl. Why? Because the primarys on the 4 bbl are smaller than the 2bbl, so if you do not open the secondaries, it gets better mileage.

Very true. The trick is to keep your foot out of those secondaries, which isn't so easy to do.

 

[That Crazy Squirrel]

It is unanimous now. All my friends have given me shit for my plans to reinstall the cast iron 2bbl intake and carb on my 72 318. I planned to do so because this 72 ¾ Dodge truck gets pretty good fuel mileage. Even with the 2bbl carb leaking as much fuel as it sends into the combustion chamber. That is why I have reservations about swapping to a 4 bbl. I want to extra power but not the extra fuel consumption. So I ask, what are my options? I can find used intakes and carbs. What should I stay away from? I am looking for a reasonably priced solution. I am not hot rodding this truck. But it would be nice to have some extra power when pulling a trailer up hills. Is there a junk yard solution maybe? I know little about carbs, so please dumb down your responses and shoot me some ideas.

Do it right or don't do it at all. Get yourself a decent Edelbrock Dual Plane and a nice Carter 4bbl. You won't break the bank on those and the performance increase is well worth it.

(You are doing headers and full flow exhaust, right? 'cause what goes in, must come out.)

 

[Lonesome7.3]

I ma with you on the exhaust. However, it is not in the budget right now. Later on, yes, full new true dual with an x-pipe. That is why I was not in a hurry to replace the 2bbl set up right now. I do nto see how I can get the benefits without improving the exhaust.

 

[Kennyray]

I ma with you on the exhaust. However, it is not in the budget right now. Later on, yes, full new true dual with an x-pipe. That is why I was not in a hurry to replace the 2bbl set up right now. I do nto see how I can get the benefits without improving the exhaust.

If you don't open the 4bbl you may see some mpg improvement with the stock exhaust.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

With this truck, I try ti stay out of the throttle unless needed. I drive it as easy as I can.