1978 Ford 200 ci engine in a 1972 Mercury Comet

Hello, I'm looking for a reputable engine shop in the So Cal Area that can machine my straight 6 block and head; both 1978. I would like to have the intake log milled to add a two barrel carburetor as well. If anyone has some referrals I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.
Rich

 

You'd be better off just getting a V-8...

 

Ambitious project for the small block six Ford. Can''t help with Cal' shops but we'd sure like to see some Build' pics ...
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... some hard core enthusiasts after yawning past all the 347'd Fords and the 350/350 and LS'd anycar parts catalog builds, opt for the native Maverick/Comet - Small Block Six pushed from it's simple original form to modern power levels with available upgrades.
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https://fordsix.com/
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have fun

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'74 Maverick 250, 61 Comet - 'Small Block Six'
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Unless you super or turbo charge, the 200's performance below 4000 RPM will always be poor. There are a few on here that can give boost pointers. See? Powerband posted while I was pecking the keyboard.

By itself, a two bbl carb will likely cause a bog on bottom end, exactly what you do not want on a street driver.

 

Thank you for all the replies and pictures. I basically just want to make this a reliable cruiser for my daughter with just some small upgrades. However, I am in need of a machine shop here in the SoCal area that is reputable and may have been used by some members on this site. Hopefully someone else on here may have an answer.
Rich

 

You can change the timing gear to pre-emission gears set for better valve timing. Replace heavy spring on the ignition advance plate inside the distributor with a Mr. Gasket #925D spring along with bending the tab that the heavy spring is attached inward 3/32 in.. This allows mechanical ignition timing to come in at a much lower rpm. These changes will add extra performance and gas mileage.

 

" ... basically just want to make this a reliable cruiser for my daughter with just some small upgrades."
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... just a few $ .02's
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'sounds like start of planned out engine build W/machine work, Fuel and Ign 'modern' upgrades and a suitable carb size, keep us updated...
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for just a reliable cruiser a simple 2X1 adapter will put any suitable 2Bbl on your 200 six. Machining for zero Deck, direct mount 2Bbl, etc provides more options for performance than Reliability or durability.
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plenty of simple engine and drivetrain - drivability and performance upgrade options for the Torquey' 200 six cars ..
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... as mentioned, a Stock 200 six can't use a larger carb without low end response issues. A popular option is a Progressive 2Bbl offering smaller Primary barrel for improved low end performance and a staged Secondary to add acceleration power and WOT response like 1/2 a 4Bbl ... (Weber 32/36 and Holley/Weber 5200's)

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have fun
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Obviously people can do what they want with their cars, but this idea in reality is a big waste of money and time...

 

"... as mentioned, a Stock 200 six can't use a larger carb without low end response issues. A popular option is a Progressive 2Bbl offering smaller Primary barrel for improved low end performance and a staged Secondary to add acceleration power and WOT response like 1/2 a 4Bbl ... (Weber 32/36 and Holley/Weber 5200's)"

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Hey Powerband, I was looking to install the Weber 38/38 with the adaptor from Clifford Performance. Do you know if that's progressive with a staged secondary? I am also going to install a better cam and a set of stainless steel headers that spilt into duals.

rthomas771 "You can change the timing gear to pre-emission gears set for better valve timing." Can you explain this a little more? Do you mean just change the timing change and gears to pre 75?

Thanks in advance.
Rich

 

here's a few more $.01's
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38 / 38 Weber is a Synchronous 2Bbl AFAIK . Both Barrels operate together like conventional Holleys, etc...
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Weber 32/36 (H/W 5200) is unique Progressive with different sized Primary and Secondary barrels/Venturi and jetting , like conventional 4 Bbl's ...
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... the popular progressive 2 barrel carbs' are the pricey Weber 32/36 and inexpensive Holley/Weber version - H/W5200. The 5200 series progressive is widely available inexpensively having been used on many small 4cyl. engines and V6's thru 70's/80's. Most available "list numbers" or applications' jetting' are for small displacement four cyl's and a lower CFM than the small block six needs . The 32/36 and 5200 are easily re-jetted though, and you will find a lot of discussion on getting them tuned for different engine configurations.

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Maverick 170 runs a H/W5200 from a 70's Merc' Capri 2800cc (170cid) V6 application "list#", through a simple $15 2 X 1 adapter for @ 15 years in early Falcon wagon.Yields consistent smooth idle and excellent performance with economy but did take two carbs and forum help to get there ...]
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250cid in Maverick uses a nicely machined 2 X 1 adapter with mod'd Holley 2300 2Bbl with some help from Vortech VII supercharger.
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https://www.vintageinlines.com/product-page/autolite-holley-1v-2v-adaptor-large-log

 

Pre-'72 timing set...not '75. When the EPA wanted the exhaust to smell better than it did, the easy fix was to advance the valve timing. In other words...the piston is almost halfway down the cylinder on its intake stroke when the intake valve begins to open. So, yes, gotta change chain and gears.

 

I'll never understand why some people even mess with these boat anchors, throwing good money after bad, but to each his own...

 

Although I have a V8 now, I had fun with my 250 six without spending a load of money. Hitting the expressway coming back from a Maverick get-together I stayed on the bumper of the owner who was bragging earlier about how bad his 306 was that he paid big money to have built. It was fun to see his face when I opened my hood. I did spank a kid in a S10 that had too much carb/over cammed small block V8, but I knew that was gonna happen...but he didn’t

 

Good for you, sticking to your guns. It's your car, build it the way you want, and people here know Mavericks like no place else.

My Dad had a '74 Maverick with a six (can't recall which one) and three on the tree. While it wasn't a fast car, it was easy and pleasant to drive. Started easy, ran with great smoothness, got good gas mileage. I'd love to have it today, though the Iowa roads turned returned everything containing iron to unrefined form many years ago.

 

In the mid '80s I owned two "flippers" with 250. One '75, auto 4-dr, other '74, 2dr with 3-on tree & P/S. Both had adequate power. Prior I owned a loaded '75 Granada with 250, anything but fast. Brother in law bought aq new '72 Mustang with 250 & three speed. From a dead roll it'd squeak, squeak, squeak the tires. Probably do a burn out, but I didn't dare beat on his new car.