I recently bought a factory 2-4's intake for my 1964 Riviera. I am interested in using 2 new carbs (edelebrocks?). What CFM works best on a stock or mild engine. I am interested in where to get linkage, kickdown bracket, etc. Is it possible to do a cam change without pulling the engine. Anyone know whether TA or Posten cams work best? I would also like to Firm-up the shifts on the Original 1964 ST400. This is a "one year only" trans & regular shift kits wont fit. Also would like to use to Alloy Valve Covers, but my factory A/C bracket will not fit. I am Open to advice on this change over. Is it Worth the Trouble? I want it to Run Hard & sound Great!
Carb sizes....625 cfm will work nice for you, same size as stock. For an all-out motor, I've heard the nailhead likes 750's. I have a pair of 500's on a modified 425. It runs real nice, but a single 750 quadrajet actually gives me more power. Linkage...a generic dual quad linkage is avail from Mr Gasket. There are a few others out there too. Check with a supplier like Jegs or Summit. Kick down bracket....I have no idea. An original just sold on e-bay for $255! Probably wouldn't fit your carbs anyway... Cam change....can be done in car. While it's apart, carefully check the inside of your timing cover for corrosion from bad anti-freeze. I don't know of anyone that has tested and compared different cams in the Nailhead... So I dunno which is best. I'm leaning towards a TA cam for my next build. Also consider Carmen Faso, he has cams available. He's our nailhead 'guru'! Talk to him before choosing. For tranny mods, Thomas Telesco is the man...he's had good luck with mods on his '64 Riv.
Carmen has modified kickdown brackets for sale. I'm not sure if they will work on a '64 though. As for your rear compressor bracket, they are very hard to find.:bglasses:
'64 ST400 Drill two holes to 1/8". Take 2-3 accumulator piston out of valve body, remove and leave out the spring, put the piston back on upside-down. Might have to grind on one of the three little legs on it to get the E-clip back on, this is no problem. That's about it, other than putting on an adjustable vacuum modulator to set the part-throttle shifts where you want them, and working the governor weights and springs for the full-throttle shift points.
Thanks for all the good info. How do I get in touch with Carmen? My computor won't let me download the ST400 btmp. Is there anything Cooler than a Nailhead Powered Riviera?
