six pack or no six pack that is the question

[Pistolpete]

Hey guys just hired a guy to rebuild a 440 for me - couple of questions.......

1) is it worth putting a 6 pack on a non original 6 pack car? It is an original 440 4 spd car - non numbers match now though - what is a 6 pack worth these days, I'm told I can get a full OEM "kit" around $2000??

2) what is the criteria for a "date coded" engine? the build date of my car was Oct. 13, 68 (69 Charger R/T) I've heard differing stories that as long as the engine is dated within 6 weeks (before or after) of the car it is considered a date coded set up??

[Shakey]

An engine with a date code six weeks after the cars build date would not be a correct.

As far as a six pack for your car - it's totally up to you.  

IMO, I would take that '69 Charger R/T and build as close to factory specs as possible.   You have two build sheets to go by.   In the end, the car will be worth more than that of a Charger with options that were not offered by the factory.

If I wanted to take a Charger, do a custom paint, put a pistolgrip and add a six pack, I would get a "dime a dozen" 383 Charger and build it the way I'd want it.

Again, Pete, totally up to you.

[Brock Samson]

 if you dont need the extra ponies for racing and you aint into the added expense which is considerable and the occasional carb tweaks you wont really miss it..
i decided to skip it till i win the lottery... if you just want a good running street car it's not really helpful and you can always add it later...

[Ghoste]

The only thing to top it for visual speed is a Hemi.  You can get better performance from a single four and a good intake so the only real reason for doing it outside of a factory 6 Pack car is looks.  It's a pretty expensive way to get oohs and aahs when you pop the hood.

[dkn1997]

visual speed.....I really like that term.

[Troy]

If you're worried about "date coded" engines then I'd skip the 6 pack altogether since it wasn't available on a Charger in 1969. They certainly look cool but it's immediately obvious to most Mopar people that it doesn't belong. I'd save the money (they aren't exactly cheap - especially for original parts) and just go with a simpler, reliable 4 bbl instead. I don't think you'll see much benefit from a performance standpoint if that's what you are after either. If you just want to be different/unique and have the money then go for it.

Troy

[BrianShaughnessy]

A six pack will probably get better gas mileage than a 4 barrel on the highway.   I got 13 last year.   It's definitely eye candy at the shows.   It's a lot of fun getting all 6 barrels opened up      It's also a bitch to keep tuned.   

May I just recommend that you decide what you'd like to do with your car...   You can either play with it or you can be a slave to the build sheet....    Deciding what you want to do will save you money either way.      None of us can make that choice for you.      

As for me...   I got a build sheet.. but I'll be damed if I know what it says      

[Ghoste]

It probably says 6 Pack, 5 speed, and 3:73 Dana wrapped in the color of your choice.

[Pistolpete]

Wow, hey ghoste you must be phsycic - thats exactly what my build sheet says - that settles it then!! 

I think I'm gonna stick witht the 4 bbl for now and see how that works for me, I can always get the 6 pack later I guess, as for the rest of it I'm gonna take a few artistic liberties with the car colour and shifter (pistol grip) but otherwise I think I'm gonna try and stick to the sheet.

for anyone thats interested....... the tear down is actually ahead of schedule and she should be heading out to the body shop in the next week or two ( I want the pro's doin' the metal work). I bought that 68 440 motor (sept. build date I think) and have a pro putting that together as well ....... I'll keep you guys posted on all the goodies I'm puttin in it. (hoping for an honest 450 - 475 HP)

I'll keep ya posted

[firefighter3931]

I bought that 68 440 motor (sept. build date I think) and have a pro putting that together as well ....... I'll keep you guys posted on all the goodies I'm puttin in it. (hoping for an honest 450 - 475 HP)

I'll keep ya posted

Cool, does that mean it's going on a dyno once completed ? I'll be interested in hearing what's going into this build...

Ron

[Pistolpete]

Yup, gonna try and get'er dyno'd when she's done.............can't wait!!

[69_500]

I say go ahead and swap on the 6 pac, its a definate jaw dropper. Even if its not stock, its like looking at a car with a HEMI in it that wasn't origionally a HEMI. It still draws a crowd, and it runs great.

[Ghoste]

69 Chargers already draw a crowd.  Is it worth 1000 dollars for eye candy which can only be seen when the hood is up?

[69_500]

In my opinion yeah its worth that extra draw dropping. I have thought long and hard about putting a 6 pac set up on my 500 just for better driving.

[BigBlockSam]

i have a 68 r/t with a sixpack on it, ok, it's not correct but it's alot of fun to drive. Rene

[Pistolpete]

Hey Sam,

have you always had the 6 pack? if not whats the biggest difference between the 4 bbl and your six pack as far as driveability?
I have never been in a 6 pack car but I hear the sound of all six barrels opened up is AWESOME!!!

[BigBlockSam]

Hey Pistol, cool porn name
this car has always had a six pack on it. i've been told that 6 packs can be a pain to tune  but mine has been trouble free. the 440 has a bigger than stock cam. it was installed before  i bought the car. the differance i feel about this car is when you stomp it. man! it's a rocket ship. thats like 1200 cfms when there all open. did'nt run as well with the stock ignition. then i put the msd ignition in and boy did she come to life.  it's alot of gas and ya gotta burn it . i miss her she's been in the bodyshop for a long time.  i hope this helps. Rene

[69_500]

I believe that the 6 pac was 1250 cfm, but a 1250 cfm rating of 3 2bbl carbs isn't the same as a 1250 rating for a 4 bbl carb. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but there is a difference right?

[firefighter3931]

I believe that the 6 pac was 1250 cfm, but a 1250 cfm rating of 3 2bbl carbs isn't the same as a 1250 rating for a 4 bbl carb. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but there is a difference right?

Actually it's 1350 cfm as rated by 2bbl standards. The 6-pack flows what a 940 cfm 4bbl would on the same bench. I like them but they can be a pain to tune...when they run right....they really run right !  

Pete, do the 6pack...you'll luv it, especially on a mild engine. Spec the cam out similar to the factory 6-pack cam in terms of duration/overlap and it'll be easier to tune.  

Ron

[Pistolpete]

Aw, man.........now I'm undecided again (worse problems to have I guess) 

I gotta admit the "visual speed" of a six pack  kinda gets me.........decisions, decisions

Sam, if you've got any pics of your set up could you post them? I see your side pic is that yours??

[69_500]

Thanks for the correction on the CFM rating of t he 6 pac. I wasn't sure if it was 1250 or 1350.

I know that every car I've ever worked on that has a 6 pac set up on it, ran great. They are a bit touchy to get tuned in, but once you get it, they are as easy to keep running as a single 4bbl. Not a whole lot of to do to keep them running, and running well I might add.

[BrianShaughnessy]

Thanks for the correction on the CFM rating of t he 6 pac. I wasn't sure if it was 1250 or 1350.

I know that every car I've ever worked on that has a 6 pac set up on it, ran great. They are a bit touchy to get tuned in, but once you get it, they are as easy to keep running as a single 4bbl. Not a whole lot of to do to keep them running, and running well I might add.

2 500 outboards and a 350 center.   I've heard of people using a 4412 carb (?) for a 500 center.   

Anyway my problem is frequent junked up needle / seats.. especially on the rear carb...  but I got the mechanical triple pumper 4782/4783 setup that doesn't have individual fuel filters like the regular vacuum setup.

[69_500]

So how long have you been running the set up on your car then? I haven't had a sic pac for a car personally just buddies. I don't get to work on their cars as much as my own, so don't know if they require more than a 4 bbl. But I don't recall any of them complaining about how their set ups were running after we tuned them. Not sure if they did any more tinkering with them after that or not.

[BrianShaughnessy]

I've been running this for 2 years or more.    A lot of people are lucky... some ain't.   My nickname isn't Lucky. 

They have their quirks and their good days and bad days...  but I like it anyway!     

[BigBlockSam]

howdy Pete
yes the motor in the side pic is the 440 in my  red plymoutrh  39 coupe pictured on the bottom of the page. i've had my six pack set up for about 6 yrs. runs great. you can't beat the visual impact of the six pack. the only pics i have are before i started restoring the car. the air cleaner lid was one of the first things i restored. first picture is before i restored the lid second is restored. get the six pack. makes the car alittle more special. i'm building another 440 sixpack motor for the daytona but this one is alittle more serious.