Adding a little more muscle to original 290

When I get the 290 into my Honcho, it will get an SP2P intake and Edelbrock with dual exhaust and the AX-15/NP208 sitting in my carport. First I need to sell the 360/T18/NP208 already in it. (I'm surprised it's not already gone since I posted it for $500 last summer)

Relatively good increases in performance, both power and economy can be achieved for very little money.  A good low restriction muffler, like a Walker DynoMax Super Turbo, is first on the list.  Every vehicle I have ever put one of those on ran better, and they are not obnoxiously loud.  Dual is nice, I went almost a second quicker in a 304 2bbl Gremlin with duals, but I agree with Frank, for a 290 a single exhaust is enough if you are on a budget.  Almost every car will benefit from a performance recurve on the distributor.  More initial advance, less mechanical advance, in a little quicker.  All it takes is a lighter spring or two and a bushing on the advance limiter pin and cranking the timing up to 15 degrees at idle with the vacuum advance disconnected. 

The tag is missing and I haven't pulled the plate on the rear end yet.

Too cold outside today, but I'm going to do that. Thanks

My understanding is this is a unknown motor condition wise. That said, Don't waste your money. Do dual exhaust and headers, Electronic ignition and rebuild the distributor, clean the carb/rebuild and maybe up the main jets a size or two. If the motor blows what have you wasted? $50 bucks on the carb, which you may be able to sell for that on ebay. Then you can bolt in that rebuilt 390 you pick-up for $2k and slap your Distributor in it and add that intake and 4bbl (which would have been too much for that old 290) that everone wants you to put on now.