Hi I have a 1969 F-250 4x4 with a 360. I have a question for someone. It has a 2 barrel intake on it now with a 2100 autolite carb. Under the carb is a spacer in which there is hose connections that are T'd in with the heater hoses. When the heater water valve is opened, water flows not only to the heater, but also through the spacer underneith the carb. I always thought carb spacers were to help keep the carb cool and to also help fuel atonimation.-"spelling is wrong" The only thing i can see that the spacer with the water flowing through it would help is when its cold and conditions are right for carb icing. Am i right? Any input is appreciated.
Thanks Ben from Montana
I think the word you're looking for is 'atomization' I can't imagine any other reason for that design than what you mentioned. They seem to be pretty rare, I've only come across a couple here in Alberta.(Great White North):-X12
I had that same spacer on my '68 390. I changed to a 4 barrel so it's gone now though. My thought on it is this: Ford stopped putting it on their engines not long after that year, so, they must have found they didn't need it. Otherwise they would still be using it. Make sense?
If you are going to stay with the two barrel, then just re route the water lines and don't hook them to the spacer. I don't think hot water is a "Better Idea" for the carb. I love my Ford, but I think they goofed on that part.
Hi Thanks for the info. If U guys are wondering, i'm soon gonna put on a Edelbroch RPM and 600 CFM carb. A 390 crank rods and pistons and bigger cam are on the way also. I have a question for U guys. I was wondering if U can put a 428 crank in a 390 or 360 block. I know the heads are the same, but i was wondering if the main bearing journals would be in the right locations. If anyone has done this swap before or knows any info about it, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks again,
Ben from Montana
Yes, you can. Ford did it first. In 1966 and 67, Mercury had a 410 cid engine available. It was nothing more than a 428 crankshaft in a 390 block. I'm doing it right now to my 1969 360 block. The only thing to keep in mind is that you also need to get a new flexplate, because the 410/428 is externally balanced, whereas the 360/390 is internally balanced.
Just so you guys know, Ford did indeed continue heating carbs after they removed the coolant hoses from the carb spacer. Take a closer look and you'll see later on they used the exhaust crossover passage of the intake to heat the carb spacer. Problem is that if you don't use the right gasket, you end up with an exhaust leak at the carb spacer!?!
I run my '69 F100 all year round with the carb air "heated". I closed off the fresh air intake of the air cleaner so 100% of the air is pulled off of the pass side exhaust manifold through the flex-hose. It creates better fuel atomization which allows leaner fuel mixtures as well as better combustion. That truck gets 16-18MPG with a stock 302 - even with my heavy right foot. I have gotten 20MPG on trips, and am sure it could be better but that's no fun. If I am towing something heavy in summer or the weather is extremely hot (rare in Wisconsin), I simply remove the flex-hose going to the exhaust manifold and then it gets "fresh air".
My drag car is a whole different story. I blocked the heat crossover in the intake with a special intake manifold gasket made by FelPro. With the "cold" intake manifold and a 1050 Holley Dominator, its really crabby at anything below 60degF - even though its adjusted somewhat rich for max power.
I'd say it depends on what you want out of your truck - maximum power, a compromise between power and driveability, or just driveability. It also depends on your climate.
Art
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I looked today cause I remembered I had that spacer with the water heating on my 68, and I also have it on my 67 which has the motor from a 72. So they must have still been doing it in 72 then.
So is it a good or a bad things? Should I go to the effort to pull the water from it or just leave it be? Curious.
My '71 F-250 w/360 2 barrel has the same spacer you describe. My '69 with a 390 had it too. Might be nice in colder climates, but here in Calif. it just too hot for this. The carb just boils over into the intake when the truck is at operating temperature and makes the truck hard to start. I disconnected the water lines to it and am thinking of finding a phenolic spacer to put in it's place. Anyone know of a good source for this?
Summit Racing, or Jegs has the Phenolic spacers.
I found spacers at Autozone and Pep Boys as well.
Then of course any speed shop in your area will have them too.
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I can't imagine any other reason for that design than what you mentioned. They seem to be pretty rare, I've only come across a couple here in Alberta.(Great White North):-X12 
