77 Powerwagon as a daily driver.

90guy · Feb 14, 2014

Well picked up a 77 power wagon that I paid 700 for, This is to replace my 80 wagoner I had. Just wanted a truck and the waggy wasn't what I wanted. But This is what I picked up to use as a daily driver. Needs a little loving! Has a 318 in it. But have turn lights, Taillights, 4 barrel intake sp2p, edelbrock 600cfm carb for it. Now looking at some headers for it. Make it breath better and make it exhale better. I know I have everyone saying mixed reviews about this sp2p but I thought I would give it a try that's for sure. Currently has a Holly 2 barrel on it with manual choke. I don't know a lot about these older dodges. I do have a secret passion for the 70's chevys. I am not a fan of holly personally. Will get more pictures as I go.

6A9FF0D5-BBDC-461D-9375-3124743AD31E.jpg.html

dodge dude94 · Feb 14, 2014

From what I see, a little bit of paint and some truck-worthy tires and you've got a great start! Good looking truck and welcome to the forum.

The 600 might be a bit much for a 318 unless you put a cam in it, but it's a start. Anything is better than a tiny 2bbl in my opinion.

90guy · Feb 14, 2014

Hmmmm. Haha! I had did a little google time. And I had been reading that 600 is the highend of the stock 318. Not certain on that though. Haha I will prob run the tires till there is nothing left. I want to throw some MTs on it but It is mainly a winter driver and I know how Mts do on ice lol! It might get a quick coat of paint just to clean it up. but it does have some rust so I don't know if I really want to paint.

dodge dude94 · Feb 14, 2014

A large cfm spreadbore would work great on a 318. IE Thermoquad.....

I say you try and clean the truck up as best you can since there aren't that many of these old Dodges around anymore.

90guy · Feb 14, 2014

Hmmm I do know where a thermo quad is. Think this would be better then a 600 edelbrock? Oh yeah I know what you are saying there. I see way more chevys around then the dodges. It might deserve a new coat of paint.

dodge dude94 · Feb 14, 2014

Dodge actually put the TQ on the 318 in the later years. Cool thing about it is the air doors that restrict the airflow on the secondaries keeping you from over carbing the engine.

A lot of people don't like them because they're associated with smog motors, but if you can find a pre-smog or a non-smog carb (like mine) they're awesome. And the sound they make is apparently unique. :evillol:

90guy · Feb 14, 2014

Thanks for the great info. I didn't know any of that. Smog motors came around in 80? I know that AMC 360 wagoner had the smog pump on it. Was thinking maybe a Q-jet. GM put them on everything from a 301-454. And I have one laying around. But I don't know anything about that carb either. Just know it's rated for around 800 cfm. I found a guy with a thermo quad off a 360 he would sell me.

dodge dude94 · Feb 14, 2014

The heavy Smog motors came in for everyone in the 80's yes. But starting in 72 is when the Feds started making the automakers choke everything, so the TQ got a bad rap from that. I've got a 440-coded 850 TQ on my 76 400 and that truck goes like stink and it's almost completely stock. lol

The QJ can be good if you rebuild and set it up correctly. It's a very economical carb, but can sacrifice power depending on the application. I'm thinking you can't overcarb with a QJ either.

90guy · Feb 14, 2014

The search in now on. haha! Yeah If it ends up being I'll rebuild that qj off a 73 with a 350. I just hope this intake is one of these ordeals that some people say restrict also. Guess we will try it out. Do you happen to know the torque specs off the intake on these?

dodge dude94 · Feb 14, 2014

Don't know the torque specs off hand, but I do have a Haynes.

And oh yeah, the cams on all the Chrysler engines in the 70s are like broom handles however I'm thinking I remember that a stock cam from a 340 or a 360 will wake up a 318.

Here's some reading for you:

Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth LA (273-318-360) V-8 engine and carburetor performance upgrades

90guy · Feb 14, 2014

Haha. broom handles! If that's what it is it will need a little more lift duration! Summer project haha! Thanks for the link I will most defiantly need to read that!

Chuckie25 · Feb 14, 2014

Walk away from the edelbrock while you have the chance bro. Go with Holley and you don't have to retune the carb every week. Our 78 F250 had a 700 Holley and it ran damn good. So when I swap in our other motor to my 79 it's getting a 750 double pumper. We've just had very little luck with edelbrocks. I guess this is another Mikuni vs Keihin this though lol

That ole gal looks good man!

90guy · Feb 14, 2014

Chuckie25 said:
Walk away from the edelbrock while you have the chance bro. Go with Holley and you don't have to retune the carb every week. Our 78 F250 had a 700 Holley and it ran damn good. So when I swap in our other motor to my 79 it's getting a 750 double pumper. We've just had very little luck with edelbrocks. I guess this is another Mikuni vs Keihin this though lol

That ole gal looks good man!

Haha Sounds like it is the mikuni vs keihin all over again! I think I'm going to try this QJ out to see how it works. If it doesn't then we will be rolling the TQ. Going up to napa today and I will chat with the mopar guy up there to see what he's got on his truck. My buddy had a Holly double pumper on his mud truck took it off because it kept wanting to stall out on him in the pits when he would get at an angle. Threw on a Truck avenger 770 said he's never touched the carb since he has owned it. Put it on started it up and said it ran great. And it doesn't die anymore.

Chuckie25 · Feb 14, 2014

I was told a QJ would do that because of how the vents are. Idk though. I honestly don't care what carb it is so long as it runs!! Lol

dodge dude94 · Feb 14, 2014

You're not supposed to put a Double Pumper on a heavy vehicle like a truck anyway. Look at the applications for it, what I've seen it says not to put one on it. The Truck Avenger isn't too bad from what I've heard for daily use.

Chuckie25 · Feb 15, 2014

Ours is a single pump converted to a double pumper that my mom built when my dad was racing sprint cars. I just wanna give it a try lol

90guy · Feb 16, 2014

I do have a question regarding the intake on this thing. I noticed this. Not my pic just a better one then what I have. How do I replicated this. I need to have the hose off the water neck and a hose going to the water pump? Thanks for the information in advance.

90guy · Feb 16, 2014

Wait nvm... Stupid question need to find a bypass nipple for it.

Chuckie25 · Mar 2, 2014

How goes it??????

90guy · Mar 2, 2014

I wont work on it this weekend. It will be next weekend when I go home to pick it up and work on it. 14th. Intake still hasn't shown up yet. suppose to be here tomorrow.

77 Powerwagon as a daily driver.

Senior Member

Millennial Boomer

Senior Member

Millennial Boomer

Senior Member

Millennial Boomer

Senior Member

Millennial Boomer

Senior Member

Millennial Boomer

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

Member

Millennial Boomer

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Share this page