Carb guidance
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 295
Likes: 7
From: Central Montana
Carb guidance
To start with i know there's a pinned carburetor guide but I'm still going to ask directly. I need to get a new carb for my 84 351w 2bbl and I'm unsure which one to get I'd rather not go through the hassle of converting to a 4bbl on a stock motor but i want a bit a performance boost looking for holley preferably
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,980
Likes: 2,735
From: Virginia
Some of the 351w 2 barrel engines had computer management. Before you start modifying your engine you need to determine if you have computer management. To do so, look at the distributor. If it has a rectangle shaped module mounted to the side of it with a bunch of wires coming out, and does not have a vacuum line going to the distributor, then you do have computer management and to do any modifications you will have to swap the distributor out when you do your carb change.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 295
Likes: 7
From: Central Montana
Some of the 351w 2 barrel engines had computer management. Before you start modifying your engine you need to determine if you have computer management. To do so, look at the distributor. If it has a rectangle shaped module mounted to the side of it with a bunch of wires coming out, and does not have a vacuum line going to the distributor, then you do have computer management and to do any modifications you will have to swap the distributor out when you do your carb change.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,303
Likes: 1,242
At today's gas prices a 4bbl doesn't make sense for a working truck.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,980
Likes: 2,735
From: Virginia
A 4 bbl can actually get better fuel mileage than a large 2 barrel. I believe Holley sells a 350cfm and a 500 cfm 2 barrel aftermarket carb. I bet you get better fuel mileage from a 600 cfm 4 barrel than the 500 cfm 2 barrel if you keep your foot out of the 4 barrel and never open the rear barrels. You would think the 600 cfm 4 barrel is 300cfm in the front and 300 cfm in the back.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,303
Likes: 1,242
A 4 bbl can actually get better fuel mileage than a large 2 barrel. I believe Holley sells a 350cfm and a 500 cfm 2 barrel aftermarket carb. I bet you get better fuel mileage from a 600 cfm 4 barrel than the 500 cfm 2 barrel if you keep your foot out of the 4 barrel and never open the rear barrels. You would think the 600 cfm 4 barrel is 300cfm in the front and 300 cfm in the back.
If you're gonna keep your foot out of it, which is doubtful, you may as well go for the 2bbl. I was getting 18 to 20 mpg with the stock 2bbl Holley. The GTO with the four barrel used gas like there was a leak in the tank. A fun ride though.
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 295
Likes: 7
From: Central Montana
Fair enough
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 295
Likes: 7
From: Central Montana
Some of the 351w 2 barrel engines had computer management. Before you start modifying your engine you need to determine if you have computer management. To do so, look at the distributor. If it has a rectangle shaped module mounted to the side of it with a bunch of wires coming out, and does not have a vacuum line going to the distributor, then you do have computer management and to do any modifications you will have to swap the distributor out when you do your carb change.
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Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 295
Likes: 7
From: Central Montana
Some of the 351w 2 barrel engines had computer management. Before you start modifying your engine you need to determine if you have computer management. To do so, look at the distributor. If it has a rectangle shaped module mounted to the side of it with a bunch of wires coming out, and does not have a vacuum line going to the distributor, then you do have computer management and to do any modifications you will have to swap the distributor out when you do your carb change.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 69
From: New Zealand
A few months ago I scrapped a Motorcraft 2150 that was on my 351W, in favor of a 350cfm Holley 2-barrel carb (a Street Avenger....which is a later version 2300).
There are several similar versions of this carb but Holley recommended the Street Avenger. The 2150 had been rebuilt not too long before, but was a smaller venturi model off a 302.
The swap to the Holley was a win/win......more power & better mpg. I had wondered about going to the 500cfm version, but there is no sense of the smaller carb being restrictive at all.
I seldom run over 3000rpm, & the original 2-barrel carbs on 351W's were also 350cfm.
The only thing I don't like is the aftermarket-type electric choke, but otherwise very pleased.
The bolt pattern is also a match to the original 2-barrel intake manifold.
There are several similar versions of this carb but Holley recommended the Street Avenger. The 2150 had been rebuilt not too long before, but was a smaller venturi model off a 302.
The swap to the Holley was a win/win......more power & better mpg. I had wondered about going to the 500cfm version, but there is no sense of the smaller carb being restrictive at all.
I seldom run over 3000rpm, & the original 2-barrel carbs on 351W's were also 350cfm.
The only thing I don't like is the aftermarket-type electric choke, but otherwise very pleased.
The bolt pattern is also a match to the original 2-barrel intake manifold.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 295
Likes: 7
From: Central Montana
A few months ago I scrapped a Motorcraft 2150 that was on my 351W, in favor of a 350cfm Holley 2-barrel carb (a Street Avenger....which is a later version 2300).
There are several similar versions of this carb but Holley recommended the Street Avenger. The 2150 had been rebuilt not too long before, but was a smaller venturi model off a 302.
The swap to the Holley was a win/win......more power & better mpg. I had wondered about going to the 500cfm version, but there is no sense of the smaller carb being restrictive at all.
I seldom run over 3000rpm, & the original 2-barrel carbs on 351W's were also 350cfm.
The only thing I don't like is the aftermarket-type electric choke, but otherwise very pleased.
The bolt pattern is also a match to the original 2-barrel intake manifold.
There are several similar versions of this carb but Holley recommended the Street Avenger. The 2150 had been rebuilt not too long before, but was a smaller venturi model off a 302.
The swap to the Holley was a win/win......more power & better mpg. I had wondered about going to the 500cfm version, but there is no sense of the smaller carb being restrictive at all.
I seldom run over 3000rpm, & the original 2-barrel carbs on 351W's were also 350cfm.
The only thing I don't like is the aftermarket-type electric choke, but otherwise very pleased.
The bolt pattern is also a match to the original 2-barrel intake manifold.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,980
Likes: 2,735
From: Virginia
You are good to go. Be prepared for adapting the fuel line location and the throttle hook-up. You should run a external fuel filter before the carb, so you can just cut the factory line short and install a aftermarket fuel filter with fuel hose in between the old fuel line and the carb.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 295
Likes: 7
From: Central Montana
You are good to go. Be prepared for adapting the fuel line location and the throttle hook-up. You should run a external fuel filter before the carb, so you can just cut the factory line short and install a aftermarket fuel filter with fuel hose in between the old fuel line and the carb.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,980
Likes: 2,735
From: Virginia
No recommendation. I am cheap, when I run a 2bbl carb I get a cheap knock-off made in China one from Amazon or Ebay. I either do that or round up a used Holley 4bbl and a used cast iron Ford 4bbl intake and run that.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 295
Likes: 7
From: Central Montana
Fair, I'd consider a 4bbl but this motor is 100 percent stock and I'm not ready to make the changes needed to use a 4bbl effectively