On the intake subject, remember one of the most popular motors around (Merc HP500 carb) used the single plane, 4150 base Dart manifold. That would be my choice given your motor situation. Other notables:
1) ditch the stamped rockers and go with some nice roller rockers.
2) because of #1, you must now go to a marine style valve covers.
3) staying with the valvetrain, ditch the .058 wall push rods and replace with some .080 replacements.
4) replace the intake and exhaust valve springs with at a minimum the next step up in springs available for your specific requirements.
5) Lastly, go talk to Bob Madera aka rmbuilder about a new cam for your motor.

6) Break out the checkbook from that account that the wife doesn't know about. ;)

RE #2 - you can keep the stock covers if you double up your gaskets or go with one of the extra thick sets. The Scorpion marine endurance rockers work well with the stock covers when you do this.

On #6, hell no. Only the valve covers really pose spending some real money. All others are very affordable. If he checked around, many have those parts (good used) for sale. Especially some engine/motor shops.
Good info on the Scorpion rockers and the gaskets. Learned something today. Thanks.

SBX, clear out your inbox.

Cleared pm box

Here's the old engine

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...pse9fa6d21.jpg

New engine as purchased

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psrqm3adjm.jpg

A few parts from the new and the old engine

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psnvsebdwf.jpg

And start of assembly
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psmn6owxgn.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psppvvbjny.jpg

I do think I am going to pull the intake though and swap to a rpm air gap or small single plane. I've been reading and reading and there's so many opinions. Some say air gap with a 1" hvh super sucker spacer.

Honestly, unless you go with a larger cam I doubt if you will see that much difference between the Air Gap and a Dart-style single plane. The plenum design on the Air Gap works pretty well all the way up to around 5000 RPM. Above 4700 or so RPM's, the single planes start to make more power, but below that, the AG excels. However, either would be an improvement over the stock one, which is 1960's technology. I have both if you are interested.

Air gap with a spacer or no?

Send me a pm with the price shipped to 77662 please budman

I have square port heads.

SBX, it really depends on the application. I tried a 2-inch super sucker on my 489, and it didn't really help, but there are others who are seeing a solid 10-20 HP increase with them. SB might be able to help with this. I think they probably help out more on the dual plane applications in general.

I'll send a PM with price and shipping estimate this evening. Have to tie some things up at work before Miller time.

So you are ditching the MPI?

Yeah the mpi is gone.

The entire setup from intake to oilpan is for sale it was running when pulled but getting water into 4/6 not sure how really. Planning to take the engine to the machine shop for tear down and inspection. Then either putting back as long block and selling or parting out. Not sure.

I wanted a little more hp and going carb was the easiest quickest and most cost effective route.

Yes hvh spacer and an air gap is what I am using