Just a heads up for others; don't buy the cool looking red poly bushings like I did. They'll turn pink in a few years. LOL! IIRC, the return on the fuel line was to prevent vaporization during idle and it was usually only on A/C cars of the era. Been awhile since I last looked this up for my project but I'm fairly certain that you'll be fine with 2 port fuel pump. If you're gonna replace the pump then I'd go with the return just for drivability concerns. Researching it can be a rabbit hole as many people just delete it without issue and others say it causes problems. When I got it, my '79 was setup exactly as yours with a 2 port and plugged return and I had no issues but did run a new return line when I had it apart. As to the heads, #12 are RA heads but #13 are identical and are not RA. IMO, this is all about marketing and cheating a little on the numbers for the race guys and the insurance industry. Again, another rabbit hole that you'll spend hours researching. I have a set of #13's on an XH block from either a Bonnie or a Catalina. I plan to run it someday but have been advised to use dished pistons because these are high compression heads and can lead to issues with today's fuels. Also, if you put these heads on a 350 you'll end up lowering the compression ratio. I only have a basic understanding on how these things work so check with a real engine builder. You're making great progress! keep it up and thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the input. I'm debating whether to get an electric, in-tank pump with a pressure relief valve near the carb, or keep mechanical. Seems todays quality is hit and miss with the mechanical pumps - Still TBD. Everything I've read says the 13 heads are RA heads...but I'm not knowledgeable enough to debate anyone 😅 The heads are currently on a 350, but I'm not sticking with this engine...just going to use it temporarily after the car gets together. The bushing selection is quite the rabbit hole...rubber, poly, metal. I read poly squeaks, rubber is status quo, and metal is a harder ride... I went with metal. You are definitely not wrong when it comes to rabbit holes... so many options, so many opinions. Hahaha, definitely a minefield. Thanks again for the input.
Just a heads up for others; don't buy the cool looking red poly bushings like I did. They'll turn pink in a few years. LOL!
IIRC, the return on the fuel line was to prevent vaporization during idle and it was usually only on A/C cars of the era. Been awhile since I last looked this up for my project but I'm fairly certain that you'll be fine with 2 port fuel pump. If you're gonna replace the pump then I'd go with the return just for drivability concerns. Researching it can be a rabbit hole as many people just delete it without issue and others say it causes problems. When I got it, my '79 was setup exactly as yours with a 2 port and plugged return and I had no issues but did run a new return line when I had it apart.
As to the heads, #12 are RA heads but #13 are identical and are not RA. IMO, this is all about marketing and cheating a little on the numbers for the race guys and the insurance industry. Again, another rabbit hole that you'll spend hours researching. I have a set of #13's on an XH block from either a Bonnie or a Catalina. I plan to run it someday but have been advised to use dished pistons because these are high compression heads and can lead to issues with today's fuels. Also, if you put these heads on a 350 you'll end up lowering the compression ratio. I only have a basic understanding on how these things work so check with a real engine builder. You're making great progress! keep it up and thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the input. I'm debating whether to get an electric, in-tank pump with a pressure relief valve near the carb, or keep mechanical. Seems todays quality is hit and miss with the mechanical pumps - Still TBD.
Everything I've read says the 13 heads are RA heads...but I'm not knowledgeable enough to debate anyone 😅 The heads are currently on a 350, but I'm not sticking with this engine...just going to use it temporarily after the car gets together.
The bushing selection is quite the rabbit hole...rubber, poly, metal. I read poly squeaks, rubber is status quo, and metal is a harder ride... I went with metal.
You are definitely not wrong when it comes to rabbit holes... so many options, so many opinions. Hahaha, definitely a minefield.
Thanks again for the input.