Engine size and Kadrons
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rooney7768
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:46 am
Engine size and Kadrons
Little history, stock 1600cc DP in my 68 sedan with dual Kadrons (I think 40). It's been sitting for about 10 yrs and I'm rolling it into the shop for some much needed love. Since it's a toy I've been mulling over different engine options. I'm leaning towards the 1776 over the 1835 because of heating issues I've read about. My question is, at what displacement will these carbs become a hinderance? Is the turn key worth the extra expense or should I just get a built long block? I have built several rockcrawlers and am restoring a 65 mustang fastback so I'm not new to mechanics, although I have never rebuilt the internals of a motor.
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Marc
- Moderator
- Posts: 23741
- Joined: Thu May 23, 2002 12:01 am
Re: Engine size and Kadrons
It sorta depends upon the usage/RPM range. You can do aftermarket mods to enlarge the Solexes, too...but generally (and I do mean generally, there are plenty of exceptions) standard Kadrons will work OK for most applications up to ~1915cc, so I wouldn't worry about them handling a 1775 or 1835 that's not built for extreme performance.
Of late, AA (of China) produces 92mm cylinders which use the same case and head bores as 94s - this makes them the thickest-walled jugs on the market, eliminating the problems that "classic" thinwall 92s are infamous for. If you don't like the idea of cutting that much material from the case (I know I don't) it's possible to have the bottom skirts of these cylinders turned down to the "classic" O.D.
Be aware that most "longblock-mill" engines are built to a price point, which forces some undesirable compromises in parts quality and/or attention to detail in assembly. Avoid the bottom-feeder cheapo longblocks like the plague, it's virtually certain that they'll be built from the cheapest/sleaziest parts available (welded-up rebuilt heads retrieved from the scrap barrel, for example). If you're on a budget, keep an eye out at forums like this for a good deal on a "hand-me-down" from a fellow enthusiast who's stepped up - for the same money, I'd rather buy a solid used motor that was originally built right, than the product of most longblock (or for that matter, "turn-key") mills.
Of late, AA (of China) produces 92mm cylinders which use the same case and head bores as 94s - this makes them the thickest-walled jugs on the market, eliminating the problems that "classic" thinwall 92s are infamous for. If you don't like the idea of cutting that much material from the case (I know I don't) it's possible to have the bottom skirts of these cylinders turned down to the "classic" O.D.
Be aware that most "longblock-mill" engines are built to a price point, which forces some undesirable compromises in parts quality and/or attention to detail in assembly. Avoid the bottom-feeder cheapo longblocks like the plague, it's virtually certain that they'll be built from the cheapest/sleaziest parts available (welded-up rebuilt heads retrieved from the scrap barrel, for example). If you're on a budget, keep an eye out at forums like this for a good deal on a "hand-me-down" from a fellow enthusiast who's stepped up - for the same money, I'd rather buy a solid used motor that was originally built right, than the product of most longblock (or for that matter, "turn-key") mills.
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rooney7768
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:46 am
Re: Engine size and Kadrons
Any recomendations for a supplier? I've heard of one company to avoid but that's about it.