I have a warmed 74 318 with a comp 268H cam, OEM 340 non egr spreadbore intake with the heads port matched, thermoquad carb and and 1 5/8" headers. 904 trans with stock converter and 2.76 open 7 1/4 rear ( 8 3/4 going in with 3.55's). The engines does run very good and seems to be strong with the exception of a light hesitation on take off. I replaced my distributor with a new one as the old one had a lot of slop. I have checked and double checked for vacuum leaks, found none. The TQ is rebuilt to factory specs. I checked with Comp Cams about the converter and they said a stock converter would be fine. Anyone have any ideas here? I know some will say junk the TQ, but I would like to give it a chance.

My thoughts are carb, timing and I am wondering if I replace the factory fuel pump with an electric if that will help. Sorry for the long post but if I leave something out someone will ask.

Thanks

The electric fuel pump won't help the hesitation, I'm guessing this is an A body - that's a lot of cam for 2.76's and a stock converter, try the gears first since it's kinda dead below 2k, if that doesn't cure it throw in a 2,200-2,400 converter.

I would run more gear if it were my car - 3.91-4.10 with a 26" tire will wake it up.

If you feel like messing with the carb and distributor first recurve the dist for 18-20* at idle, 36* max and make sure the acc pump in the carb is good and adjusted right, you can move the arm around to get more or less pump shot. I like the older leather plungers in T-quads, I tried the rubber one in my truck and it never ran right for me, I soaked the 35 year old leather plunger in motor oil for a few days and threw it back in, it solved a bunch of my driveability problems.

That is not a long post, you must be new . 1st check for adequate AP squirt. Is this a WOT hesitation or as your rolling into it and might want to note the vac in hg at that point. What initial timing? ported or vacuum? What yr of TQ (some are pretty lean). Might termporarily block the metering rod tree "up" so it is on the power step and take it out to see if the main metering is too lean and causing this.

74 Dart Sport. I already have the rear built with 3.55's as I am building mostly for street with some occasional track time. The rear is going in the car in a couple of weeks, as soon as I get my springs and shock plates. As far as converter I will have to wait until winter when I rebuild the trans. I installed a dizzy that was in a buddies 340 street motor that he re-curved and I know is correct. I did rebuild the carb and it does have the rubber pump. I have the pump set at factory specs so which way should I go for more or less pump shot?

It's a 6518S non smogger carb.The hesitation is as I'm rolling into it. If I snap the throttle it is not as bad. From take off it acts as if it's not getting gas for a second and then it kicks in and wants to go. I rebuilt this carb and have not had any experience with the TQ, but I know they can be a nice piece when adjusted properly. Timing is still a gray area to me.

timing with that cam, I'd go as others said, 18-20 intital, 36ish total.

I'd also run a converter in the 2200-2400 range.

since it's better when you snap the throttle, I'd imagine pump shot is OK, if it's tip in, not sure where to check with a t-quad, do they have step up springs like an AFB/AVS? if so, maybe they need to be slightly stiffer...or maybe the rear air door is adjusted too loose so it is opening at light throttle applications, leaning it out?

I have a recurved dizzy set for mechanical advance. So I should set my initial at idle at say 18 and dial it in to 36 at say 2500 rpm, is that correct? I don't know why timing is so confusing to me. I am going to try it this morning and see if that helps.

Rapid Robert-- you were right on about blocking the tree up, when I do that there is a world of difference. Now the million dollar question, what is the fix?

Assuming no vac leak, richer rods and or jets but probably larger jets. I tried to find Demonsizzlers cell # and I misplaced it. He's the TQ guru out of Atlanta Georgia and the one to contact. His contact info may be in the archives. EDIT I remembered that he is hard to get ahold of sometimes. Might see what jets you have and put an add in the wanted ads here and find a pair of larger ones than what you currently have in there.

On that low comp engine push the timing into the 40s it won't hurt it period. Get a drill index and open up the squiters, I haven't been able to find the big squiretrs for a tq for long time there out there but ??Also make sure you air valve is not opening for a split sec on accel I have seen TQ butched over the years and the guys who have them don't know as they bought them that way. By the way a Rochester Quad would work real nice on that engine get one for Chrysler linkage and get the Q jet bracket if you need it