I just bought a 340 for my 68 Barracuda convertible and I was thinking of modifying it to receive a solid roller camshaft. Has anyone done this mod? Also I'd like some opinions as which route to take for rebuilding.
- I don't plan to race it but I would like a nice sounding idle that doesn't sound like it's going to die any second. Any recommendations as what type of cam that I should be looking at?
- I've heard that the windage tray can cause damage so should I leave it out?
- Should I switch to a high volume oil sump?
- What about a carb? I've heard that it's best to go to a modern carb
for reliability and for fuel economy.

 

solid roller- it is very do-able. You just need the new cam and lifters (obviously), possibly new valve springs since some roller cams have large slopes, and posssibly a new timing gear assembly (replace anyway, but roller's might get their own)

windage tray- i've never had any problems with it. I would put it on every motor that I'll ever do. It only stops oil from splashing up and hitting, and therefore slowing down the crank. No damage comes from it.

oil pump- the stock one should be ok, a new high volume one wont hurt
the rule is 10 lbs for every 1000 rpm
stock pump is 60lb i think, so if you will rev past 6k, get a new pump, preferably a 80 lb pump

what carb is currently on the motor?

 

There is no carb on the engine and I've heard that the old carters don't compare with the new ones on the market

 

welcome and a Demon is one of the better carbs that I have found, Edelbrock is one of the easiest to tune, I just bought a Barracuda convertible that was beet on and I suggest that you put frame connectors on it so you do not tweak the body and have a hard time opening the doors

 

dont mean to hijack the thread but what frame connectors would you recommend, i would like to get some for my car

 

Thanks for the info. I'll have to check the frame to see if any connectors were installed as the previous owner had planned to race it but I don't think he installed frame connectors but he did change the front end to McPhersons, and put discs on all four corners.

I have another question about installing a roller camshaft. I've heard that the oil passages have to be modified to maintain the oil pressure, either by installing bushings in the lifter bores (which a machine shop has to do - expensive), or by blocking the oil to the lifter galleys by installing a tube to the lifter galley on the right side, and a plug in installed in the feed galley on the left (labelled as a DIY project). Has anyone gone the DIY route??

 

Should the car be placed on blocks, etc to ensure that everything is square and level before the frame connectors are welded on or is it not that critical?
One more question... I'd like to buy aftermarket headers that just bolt on with no sheet metal or other car component mods (ie cutting the inner fenders). Do most aftermarket headers for Mopar small block V8 A bodies fit this category?

 

Well you certinally did!!!