carb replacement; what type? upgrades?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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carb replacement; what type? upgrades?
Hi all.
I'm new to the ford world of engines so this is my first time working on one.
I have a 1980 f100 with the 300 inline 6 and it's got the original carb on it.
(if it's not the original, it's seen better days.)
it's the 1 bbl and looks like it's been rebuilt at least once and it's ready to be put down.
what type carb would be a good replacement and/or upgrade?
I'm looking for reliability and gas mileage more than performance.
I've read some other posts and most recently in another forum it was suggested to get a different intake manifold and a 4 bbl carb?
What would the difference be? simply more horsepower and thus less fuel economy?
i'm rather carburetor ignorant so please spoon feed me a little.
most of carbs i've worked with were on 1960's vw's and they didn't have all these vacuum lines everywhere.
thanks much.
I'm new to the ford world of engines so this is my first time working on one.
I have a 1980 f100 with the 300 inline 6 and it's got the original carb on it.
(if it's not the original, it's seen better days.)
it's the 1 bbl and looks like it's been rebuilt at least once and it's ready to be put down.
what type carb would be a good replacement and/or upgrade?
I'm looking for reliability and gas mileage more than performance.
I've read some other posts and most recently in another forum it was suggested to get a different intake manifold and a 4 bbl carb?
What would the difference be? simply more horsepower and thus less fuel economy?
i'm rather carburetor ignorant so please spoon feed me a little.
most of carbs i've worked with were on 1960's vw's and they didn't have all these vacuum lines everywhere.
thanks much.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: U S of A
i had an 84 inline 6, and it had the single barrel 390 cfm carb on there, if that's any help.
I've seen a fella around town who's put some bucks into his 6 and he's got a 450 cfm 2bbl.
they are quite easy to find reman'ed, check your local advance or pep boys, they usually keep them in stock, or next day warehouse.
I've seen a fella around town who's put some bucks into his 6 and he's got a 450 cfm 2bbl.
they are quite easy to find reman'ed, check your local advance or pep boys, they usually keep them in stock, or next day warehouse.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: centeral Ohio
this is only heresay so take this with a grain of salt. Anyways i beleive what most others have reccomended is a 2 barrel or 4 barrel carb with an offy c intake. From all of the swaps i have heard of gas mileage was better than before and it benefited with more power and better reliability. I have heard that a 390 cfm holley carb is great on a stock engine also edelbrock 500 cfm works along with i beleive a 450 cfm holley there are many choices..... Anyways basically everyone who swapped that stock 1 barrel seemed pretty happy. If you would rather hear from someone who has done this and has knowledge on it other than here say like me try your search engine for the forum.
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From: U S of A
Originally Posted by Gerry Lutz Jr.
this is only heresay so take this with a grain of salt. Anyways i beleive what most others have reccomended is a 2 barrel or 4 barrel carb with an offy c intake. From all of the swaps i have heard of gas mileage was better than before and it benefited with more power and better reliability. I have heard that a 390 cfm holley carb is great on a stock engine also edelbrock 500 cfm works along with i beleive a 450 cfm holley there are many choices..... Anyways basically everyone who swapped that stock 1 barrel seemed pretty happy. If you would rather hear from someone who has done this and has knowledge on it other than here say like me try your search engine for the forum.
agreed....always make sure you always FULLY research every option you have...especially when it comes to something as crucuial as a carb. the good folks are clifford performance parts are always open to help, too.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: centeral Ohio
Yah im 16 and stubborn but, have learned through these forums its best to research before you do anything or its a waste of yours and other peoples time + usually money if u mess up 
. I have heard from a gas stand point i beleive autolite 2100 carb is quite good and is a 2 barrel i beleive but, dont quote me. O btw about clifford though if you are trying to be thrifty just ask questions for the clifford guys don't buy something such as a carb from them because, you will be paying a lot more than you need to more than likely just my .02.
. I have heard from a gas stand point i beleive autolite 2100 carb is quite good and is a 2 barrel i beleive but, dont quote me. O btw about clifford though if you are trying to be thrifty just ask questions for the clifford guys don't buy something such as a carb from them because, you will be paying a lot more than you need to more than likely just my .02.
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thanks guys.
so what's the difference between 1 and 2 and 4 bbl carbs?
does it change the amount of air mixed with the gas?
what do all the numbers before the carbs mean (4400 holley)? is that just a model number or does it signify volume or displacement like engines do.
i.e. 300 i-6 is 300 in.^3
do more barrels further atomize the mixture so it burns more efficiently?
so what's the difference between 1 and 2 and 4 bbl carbs?
does it change the amount of air mixed with the gas?
what do all the numbers before the carbs mean (4400 holley)? is that just a model number or does it signify volume or displacement like engines do.
i.e. 300 i-6 is 300 in.^3
do more barrels further atomize the mixture so it burns more efficiently?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: centeral Ohio
Well it all depends on what you want most people reccomend a smaller cfm carb. The #s before the carb corresponds with the ammount of air and gas you can consistently send (thats what cfm is) although i forget what it truly stands for. For more top end power you would want to go with a bigger cfm carb but, dont go to big or im sure it won't run right and your fuel mileage would be killed 2 im sure. A smaller cfm carb like holleys 390 is good for a 300 i-6 because, the smaller cfm is better for your low end power but, i guess if u built it 4 performance you would starve for air and fuel at high rpms. Mostly though you want a smaller carb for a stock 300 because, you don't eat as much gas as like a 460 v8 which would use something like a 600 to 800 cfm carb and a 300 i-6 makes all of its power stock at a low rpm range which is perfect for a carb like a 390.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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If you want to experiment and not spend a lot of money - you an put a Morotcraft 2150 2bbl & a Clifford 2x1 carb adaptor right on to the Ford intake manifold. The 2150's are plentiful and the Clifford adaptor is about $50.
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Thread Starter
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thanks Gerry.
I think that is along the lines of what i'm looking for .
I certainly wouldn't mind more power, but i don't really need it in any of my applications.
Oscar... could you expand a bit on the results of such an experiment?
I just want a smoother running truck that doesn't leak fuel and fuel economy is paramount. So if anyone has replaced their stock carbs with something else in order to get the same results i'm seeking, i'd love to hear about it.
i.e. what type of carb did you put on and what kind of gas mileage are you now getting?
thanks much.
Datchew.
I think that is along the lines of what i'm looking for .
I certainly wouldn't mind more power, but i don't really need it in any of my applications.
Oscar... could you expand a bit on the results of such an experiment?
I just want a smoother running truck that doesn't leak fuel and fuel economy is paramount. So if anyone has replaced their stock carbs with something else in order to get the same results i'm seeking, i'd love to hear about it.
i.e. what type of carb did you put on and what kind of gas mileage are you now getting?
thanks much.
Datchew.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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I run a Clifford heated manifold and a Motorcraft 2150 2 bbl and it's very smooth. I get about 15 city and 17-18 hiway.
My suggestion was based on not having to do a lot to benifit from a little larger carb. with this combo you don't have to do any manifold work.
My suggestion was based on not having to do a lot to benifit from a little larger carb. with this combo you don't have to do any manifold work.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
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From: Travelers Rest SC
In theory, you could get better gas mileage with a small 4 bbl. The way they work is that in normal driving, you are only using the 2 'primary' barrels. When you romp on it, the 'secondaries', or other 2 barrels open up, resulting in much greater cfm (cubic feet per minute) and resulting horsepower gain, and economy loss. It's kinda like having 2 different engines. The trick is driving so you never open up those secondaries. Once you feel all that new power, good luck! The best mileage I ever got with a 300 was a newer fuel injected, but I don't recommend trying to do that. Unfortunately, the cost of a 4bbl manifold and new carb will probably negate any possible savings in fuel. As Oscar said, you could always try a Motorcraft 2150 for low bucks.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
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From: Travelers Rest SC
I'm no expert on manifolds, but I think the DP is the choice for regular driving. You can get an Offy DP from JC whitney (and other places) for about $200. The used ones on EBay seem to bring nearly that same amount, for some odd reason. Clifford intakes are a lot more, and I've heard mixed reviews because of quality issues.
