My brother-in-law has a 1986 F250 with a 460 engine. The carb has been rebuilt at least twice. The last time it got rebuilt, his mechanic charged him $500.00!! I think he could've bought a new one for less than that. However, thats been some time ago and now (with more carb problems)he wants to replace it with a new one. Problem is, he can't find a new one anywhere. Question is... What other, aftermarket carb will fit on this engine? If you guys need more stats on the truck let me know and I'll post them. Thanks for any help...
rondog

 

First of all, do you live in an area that currently has or is soon to have emission testing? If the answer to this question is yes, then you have to keep searching for an emission legal carb.
If the answer is no, you have a large variety to choose from in any aftermarket catalog. I would suggest something in the 750cfm range. If a Holley is your choice, go vacuum secondary.

DannyP
89 F-150 4x4 former EFI I-6 now carbed 351W, Edelbrock heads,cam,intake,carb.
MSD 6A, ZF, Sterling 10.25 with 3.55L's.

 

Rondog, It has been a while since I have looked for a carb of that nature but it seems to me that the last time I looked for a carb for your application, I was pricing it thru NAPA and Carquest. They were both local parts houses. At that time I was still able to get it rebuilt thru my Ford part source which was a Ford Heavy truck dealer. Although Ford may not have it, I believe that NAPA and Carquest still have it available. Good luck.

Jakegypsum // Ford fleet, soup to nuts.

 

Edelbrock or Holley are the best carbs. The Holley has more adjustability, but it is also more sensitive to changes in the weather, etc. They are great for fine-tuning on the track to current conditions. The Edelbrock is a simpler carb, doesn't adjust quite as easily, but it will also work better across a broader range of variables (weather, altitude, etc.) I like the Edelbrock better for street use.

As far as smog legal...you've got to feel your way through that one. I purchased an Edelbrock which was smog legal for my 351W, but the carb was only smog legal for the 350 Ch**y small block. However, the inspectors did not give the carb a second glance. It has all the ports necessary to run and recycle the smog gases, it just has not been approved for all engines. It passed the visual and the sniffer test with flying colors. Oh...and because the carb is smog legal for the 350, you get a CARB sticker (California Air Resource Board) that shows that it is smog legal. You can show that to most inspectors and they wouldn't know that it is only legal for specific engines. The inspectors have a lot of variables to look for and if everything looks like it is hooked up and working, you should pass, IMHO.

'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik