Single or twins?

Q I’ve got a 2-litre Pinto in my Mk2 Escort. It’s currently running a ported and polished head, big cam, oversized valves, and four-branch exhaust.

The question I have is what would run better? The single Weber DCO/SP48 carb it currently uses, or twin 40s? It goes well with the 48 at the moment, producing 155 hp, but I’ve been offered a pair of 40s cheap.

Dave Simpson UK

A Stick with the 48 for now. 155 hp is very respectable, and you won’t see much gain, if any, with the 40s, as it’s generally considered that warmed-over 2-litres really need 45s to make power.

If the twin 40s are good condition, buy them, and sell them on to help fund the purchase of a pair of 45s.