Which carb is best?
New User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: KCMO
Originally Posted by FEmtnmax
I had the OEM Ford carb on my truck, it worked well, but would leak fuel at gasket surfaces after the truck sat for awhile. I put an Edelbrock AVS 650 with off-road needles and seats on my 410 CID and it works well with a 1 inch 4-hole spacer between the carb and intake manifold. Am I not supposed to mention parts manufacturers?
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 67
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From: Rapid City SD
Spacers can do 2 things.
#1 they increase the intake runner length which can equate to notably more low-end torque...
and
#2 Depending on what material the spacer is made out of it can help prevent heat from warming up the carb and fuel, etc. The cooler the air/fuel charge the more HP.... admitably an ever so small amount.
God Bless
David
#1 they increase the intake runner length which can equate to notably more low-end torque...
and
#2 Depending on what material the spacer is made out of it can help prevent heat from warming up the carb and fuel, etc. The cooler the air/fuel charge the more HP.... admitably an ever so small amount.
God Bless
David
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: South Central Utah
I have been working on carburetors for over 35 years and have never liked Edelbrock carburetors. I don't care for changing the jets and metering rods. I have always been able to calibrate A/F ratios and secondary opening closer to my satisfaction with a Holley than with the "Carter AFB" design of the Edelbrock. You can only change the metering rods so much and then you need to change jets to keep the fuel enrichment under acceleration correct, and then you may still need to change metering rod springs to correctly calibrate fuel enrichment.
A power valve with the calibration stamped on the side and a jet change or two (done with only removing 4 screws and a fuel line) has always been simpler to me. I have always started out with #69 jets and a 6.5 power valve in the primary side and made changes from there.
A power valve with the calibration stamped on the side and a jet change or two (done with only removing 4 screws and a fuel line) has always been simpler to me. I have always started out with #69 jets and a 6.5 power valve in the primary side and made changes from there.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,302
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From: Madison, SD
I've used both Holley and Edelbrock. Anything I'm going to race gets a Holley because of the easy tunability issues that Rubiranch pointe out. I've ran a few of the Edelbrocks, one the calibration issues are set on the carb, they seem to hold their tune for a long time. I've been able to get a bit better gas mileage with the Edelbrocks, also. But, for going fast, Holley is definitely the way to go for me.....
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,760
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From: South Central Utah
I was thinking of other's comments on the lack of improved performance from adding a 600 cfm 4-V carb to their 360's and 390's.
I have located an "S" intake and I am going to install an Autolite 4100 4 bbl carburetor. The 4100s were called "shoebox" carburetors and are the 4 bbl carbs used prior to 1967 when the were replaced by the 605 CFM Autolite 4300 4 bbl carb. The 4100s look like two 2100 2 bbl carbs back to back. I believe the ones that came on FE motors are 490 CFM and the ones that came on 289s are 470 CFM. The '72 390 only having 8.2:1 compression this might be a good choice. I will find out here soon.
I have located an "S" intake and I am going to install an Autolite 4100 4 bbl carburetor. The 4100s were called "shoebox" carburetors and are the 4 bbl carbs used prior to 1967 when the were replaced by the 605 CFM Autolite 4300 4 bbl carb. The 4100s look like two 2100 2 bbl carbs back to back. I believe the ones that came on FE motors are 490 CFM and the ones that came on 289s are 470 CFM. The '72 390 only having 8.2:1 compression this might be a good choice. I will find out here soon.
Last edited by Rubiranch; Feb 12, 2006 at 12:31 AM.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,760
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From: South Central Utah
John, one thing that is very difficult for sure is to improve the gas mileage of a ford.
I had a '89 Bronco with a 5.8L. It got 10 mpg around town stock. I installed a Lunati cam, JBA Shortie Headers, Gibson Cat back, K&N, 7.5L fresh air intake and a BBK Big Bore throttle body. While greatly improving performance it still got 10 mgp around town. Gas mileage might have improved 1/2 mpg on the free way.
I also had a '63 Mercury Monterey with a "300" horse 390 (11.1 comp, 4 bbl,dual exhaust) that only had 60k miles on it. Took it from Denver to Omaha and with 104 octane gas I got over 18 mpg at 75 mph. I was very impressed.
I will be happy if my '72 gets 10.
I had a '89 Bronco with a 5.8L. It got 10 mpg around town stock. I installed a Lunati cam, JBA Shortie Headers, Gibson Cat back, K&N, 7.5L fresh air intake and a BBK Big Bore throttle body. While greatly improving performance it still got 10 mgp around town. Gas mileage might have improved 1/2 mpg on the free way.
I also had a '63 Mercury Monterey with a "300" horse 390 (11.1 comp, 4 bbl,dual exhaust) that only had 60k miles on it. Took it from Denver to Omaha and with 104 octane gas I got over 18 mpg at 75 mph. I was very impressed.
I will be happy if my '72 gets 10.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
I am currently running a 390 cfm Holly 4 barrel on my FE. I can get 14 with it, and the t-pipes still are black.
John
John
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 166
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From: Tucson, AZ
autolite 4100's
the 4100's more often than not are found with either 1.08 venturis (480 cfms) or 1.12 venturis (600 cfms). the 1.08's are harder to find now a days and came on the 289's. the 1.12's came on the fe engines in t-birds and full size fords. cheers, garsten
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
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From: Brentwood,CA
to find the stock cfm rating of the carb look on the side of the fuel bowl. there will be 3 numbers. like 1.08 1.21 1.23 . 1.23 is the best and the hardest to find. they were only in DOAF carbs used on the early 400's so there are very few out there. the jeep guys love snatching up these ford carbs. they perform great off road.
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