Carb spacers
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 6
From: Cranbrook, Ont., Canada
Carb spacers
I know this has been hashed out many times amoung engine builders & hot rodders, but there has been NO clear benefits other than just raising the carb for clearence sake.Does a spacer actually increase the bottom end torque performance by increasing the velocity and amount of the fuel taken in? or is it just a bunch of hokus pokus. I'm building a 408, with 9.3:1 c.r. and if a spacer is going to help with the bottom end torque numbers, why doesn't every one use them? With me being a newbee here, I've had NO experience with them, so that is why I'm asking
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 227
Likes: 1
Guess there´s not a noticeable increase of hp or tq with a carb spacer, it`s just a prevent from heat transfer. A reduced temp of a operating carb prevents from too hot fuel, fuel bubbles and hesitation while accelerating.
As for me I´m gonna fit a carb spacer now because I have some hesitation and maybe get a better fuel consumption.
As for me I´m gonna fit a carb spacer now because I have some hesitation and maybe get a better fuel consumption.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,924
Likes: 153
I was watching Horse Power tv sometime ago and they put one on a small block that they were running on their dyno and it made no difference. Some engines it might make a slight difference but the only way to really know is to try it on a dyno. I have always used 1" 4 spacer on my truck.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
I have a 1" 4 hole spacer on my 390 and i can't say it gained any more power (hard to notice in a 5700lb truck) but it makes a cool whistle noise and supposedly it helps keep the heat away from the carb.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 2
From: wyoming
spacer stuff.
One of the perks like mentioned is keeping heat away from carb. If running a dual plane intake a 4hole spacer is reccomended. or atleast a two big hole. need to divide the plenums. The other odvious change is plenum volume increase. you wont really notice the difference up into the higher rpms but won't be much. almost need a dyno to tell the story. was speaking with mpg head long time ago and their is a difference on hrspwr. But they didn't just run a normal spacer. ran a high end wilson 2" spacer for their application and at 6000 rpm. About 11 hrspwr in this paticular test. it was a 400 ford single plane intake. 
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 227
Likes: 1
Hi John,
well this is supposed to work out for me. After the rebuild I was dumb enough to leave the small spacer that comes with the carb away.
After the rebuild last year there was so much change in the setup of my engine, beginning with a hard cranking starter due to the higher CR. I had heat problems, I still have a tickling noise coming from the valve train, this should be resolved by adjustable rockers ... etc. etc. etc.
After some hundred miles run-in I still have a very bad fuel consumption and some hesitation while accelerating at green lights. The carb is all fine and so the spacer is a try after doing some research here at FTE.
well this is supposed to work out for me. After the rebuild I was dumb enough to leave the small spacer that comes with the carb away.
After the rebuild last year there was so much change in the setup of my engine, beginning with a hard cranking starter due to the higher CR. I had heat problems, I still have a tickling noise coming from the valve train, this should be resolved by adjustable rockers ... etc. etc. etc.
After some hundred miles run-in I still have a very bad fuel consumption and some hesitation while accelerating at green lights. The carb is all fine and so the spacer is a try after doing some research here at FTE.
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 6
From: Cranbrook, Ont., Canada
Well Tom they're only a couple of bucks so I guess it's worth a try. What size do you thinking of using. My 408 isn't quite ready YET, need some more pieces, so keep in touch and let us know how the spacer works for you. John
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 6
From: Cranbrook, Ont., Canada
Tom, You know what?? THAT sounds like a plan to me. I'll go the same route, not to copy you but keeping the carb OFF the hot intake makes a lot of sense to this old dude.
We'll let each other know how we like or dislike them. John
We'll let each other know how we like or dislike them. John
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
I got a wooden one on the recommendation of my Emissions guy.
Edelbrock 8725 - Edelbrock Carburetor Spacers - Overview - SummitRacing.com
I can't see one inch making a noticeable performance improvement, I got mine cuz, as
already stated, the gas in the float bowl was boiling away which made for harder cold
starts (lots of cranking).
Edelbrock 8725 - Edelbrock Carburetor Spacers - Overview - SummitRacing.com
I can't see one inch making a noticeable performance improvement, I got mine cuz, as
already stated, the gas in the float bowl was boiling away which made for harder cold
starts (lots of cranking).
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