>I've heard that the stock carb on the 239 Flathead isn't
>really that good, and more carburation is an easy hop up.
>How much more with a stock cam? What are the suggestions
>for a single bigger carb? A 2 carb setup? What does it do
>to the mileage? Should go down because you're shoveling
>more gas in?


Function-wise there's nothing wrong with the stock carb. Most rebuilds don't do a thorough job and forget to clean the smallest passages and emulsion tubes. They were made with dozens of mods and upgrades over the years.

More is better up to a point. First mod you do should be headers, then carbs, then cam. The original Holley 94 carbs are rated at 155 cfm, ECG models from the mid-50's are rated at 185 cfm. About the most a flathead V8 can handle is 390 cfm, so you have some practical options.

Get a new Holley 390 and try to find an original intake to fit, or make your own.

Get a two deuce intake from Offenhauser or Edelbrock and use 2 stock carbs. They really don't handle 3 very well even with smaller jets - just gets too much fuel and runs rich. The super duals, which spread the fuel more evenly to all cylinders require you to move the generator from the stock location - either sideways or replace with an alternator.

If you're running one of these who cares about mileage, right?!

Read thru the articles on this sight for more detailed info.

[http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/flathead.htm]