Hi everyone,
I bought the truck in my pfp earlier this year, it is a 1974 ford F100 custom style side. Originally from factory it had a 390, but after a stint in Mexico it came to me with a 302. the motor that was in it was blown, so I had a new one put in as I didn't have the time (knowledge yet) to do it myself. after getting it back this weekend I was told I need a 4 brl carb and a new intake to accommodate the cam. I've been doing my own research but wanted to get some input from people who have had there vehicle longer then me. I am looking at a PROFORM Black Street Series 850 CFM Carburetor, but I'm stuck at what intake to buy. sadly income is gonna slow as i work construction so updates will be slow but ill do my best.

 

74f100styleside,

Wow ! 850 cfm is awfully big for a 302! Actually, that would be pretty big for a 460 that is set up for competition.

I recognize that you are trying to match a cam that someone else selected, but an 850 will not likely have good low end or mid-range RPM response.

As to intakes my experience has all been with Edelbrock. Their "Performer" series is intended for mildly modified engines. Their "Performer RPM" series is intended for more heavily modified engines that still see primarily street use. Then they have several other series for racing applications.

I am happy with the following combination in my 77 F-100, long bed 2 wheel drive. (Since you asked what others have been happy with.)
- 500cfm Edelbrock 4 barrel. (I would have been ok going up one size to 600, but wanted good bottom end response.) (Fuel bowels drain down when sitting for a week or so, I would go with Holley if I had to do it over. They offer a 570 "Street Avenger" that would probably be about right. )
- Edelbrock Performer intake.
- Cam is the mildest Comp Cams offers (Again, going for bottom end.)(They call it the 252-H if I remember correctly.)
- Explorer Heads (requires special headers) (Probably 9.5 to 10 to 1 compression
- Sanderson shorty headers
- MSD ignition

Let us know how it goes. Lots of sharp engine tuners on this site.

 

thanks bhenders, I knew the 850 was going to be overkill. but I figured I would get that step out of the way as I plan to shoot for a heavily modified truck. I will be looking to go a size or 2 down. I want to plan ahead for some big power but I do know that the carb that is currently on it is a 500 cfm 2 brl. sadly the cam was installed and I didn't have an easy time finding anything out about it as the shop that built the motor was simultaneously closing up (I was their last customer). I'll take a look at the intakes you mentioned

 

An 850 is overkill you'll never need. you'd have to do a lot of modifications to need a 600.

Check out the Holley carb finder on their site it will point you in the right direction.

 

Welcome to FTE, X100 that an 850 on a stock or even slightly moded 302 is WAY overkill. It will probably run like crap, foul plugs. Get a carb to match the intake, single plane versus duel plane. Research it deep. Some say Edelbrock RPM intake and a 600CFM Holley carb, some say 450 to 500 cfm is fine. Over carb can kill performance.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...r-is-best.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...n-a-302-a.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...-and-carb.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...questions.html

 

And Uncle Tony on youtube says that if the engine needs a Holley 600, but you want an Edelbrock carb, you'll want an Edelbrock 700 CFM carb to match the Holley's performance. He says to add 100 CFM to any Edelbrock carb, as compared to which Holley would work best.