Everywhere I have seen (online) it states that the stock carb for the 223 I6 is the Holley 1904. The truck I just bought had the carb in a box with a few other things. After about an hour of research, I finally figured out that its a Ford 8HA 1 barrel carb for a flatty 226.

Any chance that this carb would work on my 223, or was it simply tossed in the box?

If this carb is no go, is there a decent used market on Holley 1904s? What should I look out for?

Thanks in advance!

 

The Ford 8HA is a Holley 847 it should work on your 223.

 

I don't think the Holley 847 has any provision for a vacuum port for the distributor. 223 need vacuum for the advance to work there is no mechanical advance. Find a 1904.

 

Thanks for the reply. From what I've read, Load-o-matic Distributors require a certain type of vacuum signal that the Holley 1904s provide. Does the 8HA also work with LOM distributors?

 

Did you read my last post? There was a reason they went to the 1904 for the OHV 223 rather then using the old carb for a flat head.

 

The flat sixes DO use the load o crapic distributor, thus the carbs DO have the vacuum port for the advance.

If it fits on the intake and linkage lines up I'd try it, see how it works. They are a bit taller than the 1904, dunno if hood clearance is an issue.

 

Funny enough, both hiball3985 and timan52 are correct. The 41-47 flathead six motors, the G series, did not use the LOM distributor so their carburetors don't have the vacuum port. The 48-51 six motors, the H series, did use the LOM setup so those carburetors do have the vacuum port. Since you said your carburetor is an H series it should have the vacuum port.

I prefer the 847 Holley to the 1904 Holley myself. The later 1904 is shorter for clearance with lower hoods, but I don't think it was an improvement. The atomization of fuel in the later 1904 is much cruder, the power valve isn't replaceable for tuning, and that really cool looking glass bowl setup likes to warp and leak. I'd run an 847 on my 53 sedan if it would fit under my hood.