I am in the process of replacing the original carburetor with a new one.
I would like to know if there are any hidden tricks that i need to know before doing this.
My current truck is a 1983 F150 2x4, with the 351W. I beleave it has a 2 Barrel 500CFM Carb on it.

I am looking to get a 4 Barrel Edelbrock 600CFM, part #1406. I guess my question is will this work?
I have read that i might need a 351W adapter for the intake for this new carburetor, part #1491.

Let me know if you have any suggestions as to what to get, or if i am headed in the right direction.

-Thanks

 

I don't see a 4 bbl intake manifold on your list of new equipment. Unless you're saying that the adapter is going to get around that problem.

I see some other problems:

1. If your state has vehicle emissions testing, this could put you out of compliance.

2. If the stock carb is a feedback carb, removing this sensor could put the computer in default mode which could give you no ignition timing advance.

3. Even if #1 and #2 are not applicable, 600 cfm is a little too much for a street vehicle of that displacement. 500 cfm is calculated for an engine of that size doing 5,500-6,000 rpm max. You would really have to run at higher rpm to see much benefit of the extra flow capacity of the 600 cfm carb.

 

1. My state does not have any emision requirements.

2. My ignition is all stand alone. It is completely MSD, and removed from the truck computer. Has MSD ignition and coil.

As for the 4 Barrel Intake Manafold.... That might be a problem. I was under the impression that the stock intake, was able to accomodate a new 4 barrel carb.

I am not to worried about getting all the high benifits from the 600CFM Carb. I just want the 4-Barrel benifits. Right now my 2 Barrel guzzles gas. I am hoping the 4 barrel will help with that. The extra power when i get into it, might just be a little plus.

 

Checked Edelbrock's website and found some information in the intake manifold section. Note it lists part #1491 as a carburetor. Note also the need for a Lokar bracket if you have an AOD transmission. Not sure about the adapter you're refering to. Is it possible it's an EGR adapter plate? So far as I know, you need a 4 bbl intake manifold for a 4 bbl carb. But what do I know? Edelbrock recommends a 600 cfm carb and I didn't think so!

Ford 351 Windsor V8
PERFORMER 351-W (idle-5500 rpm)
Designed for street 351 c.i.d. Ford Windsor V8s. #2181 is stock replacement/street legal part for 351-W V8s with OEM carburetor; 1969-72 (1973 non-CA); except stock equipped EGR. Will not fit Boss 351. Aftermarket 4-bbl carbs are not compatible with Ford Auto Overdrive Transmission (AOD) unless used with Lokar bracket SRK-4000, see note at the bottom of this page.

Carburetor Recommendations: Edelbrock Thunder Series AVS or Performer Series carb, 600-650 cfm (see Carbs & Accessories), for auto. trans. use our #1483 & #1491 or #1844 & #1846

Note: Performer Series & Thunder Series AVS carbs will work with Ford automatic overdrive trans (AOD) when used with Lokar bracket SRK-4000, for more info call (865) 966-2269 or go to lokar.com

One other thing, welcome and thanks for joining us at FTE!

 

The main question concerns your stock intake. Will it accept a 4v or 4bbl carb, or is the opening in top limited to just a 2bbl? In order for a 4bbl to do you any good, it needs to be able to deliver fuel into the intake thru the openings for both the front and rear sections. My 84 stock intake was for the factory 4bbl. Holley, so the 3783 Edelbrock Performer manifold was a direct replacement. You may need to replace the intake manifold as well as the carb in order to install a 4bbl. of any make.

The EDL 1406 is a 600cfm with electric choke, the 1405 is manual choke, and either is what I would use with the stock or an aftermarket 4v manifold. (I never made it that far, since I bent 2 connecting rods on the 351W H.O.) You may get better fuel economy with a reman, factory 2v carb or overhauling the stock carb if it's not completely shot. The 4bbl and new intake really do better in combination with a new camshaft for performance. Fuel economy will likely suffer from aggressive driving, but I could get 11.5-12 mpg on the highway.

 

If gas guzzling is the main problem, search for a spread bore carb and manifold to match. Small primaries for good fuel economy and large secondaries for good power.

 

I am in Iraq, and I drive an 87 F-250 I bummed from the Air Force, but the stock Holley is shot! It is an automatic 2 wheel drive with a 4bbl. Are you guys saying that an Edlebrock 1400 series will bolt right on the stock manifold with no adapter? I am concerned about getting the right one because it is such a pain to get parts over here. From what I read I might get a cheap 1404 with manual choke, all I do is drive around base.

 

That Edlebrock is a good carb and it is an easy rebuild. Best and cheapest to fix the one you've got.

 

I got better mileage from a 1406 on a 351W, but that may be due to the sorry state of my old 2-bbl carb. I had replaced the 2-bbl with a Holley spreadbore, and that was not the best setup. I had to install an adapter on the square-bore Edelbrock Performer intake to make it fit, and then had clearance problems with the hood. The 1406 is fine for 351W engines, and was very easy to tune for various things like altitude and driving habits.

 

Thanks...I will take it all into consideration

 

I got the 1406 on my truck here in Iraq. I thought I had ordered all the extra pieces I needed but I still ended up doing some rigging on the throttle cable, even with the adapter I couldn't get the cable lined up properly with the new carb. Also on the 1987 Canadian model I have here the EGR valve was in the way of the throttle linkage on the 1406 and I had to jack the carb up really high with a spacer to make it clear. That said it was really worth it because my old carb was junk! It runs much better now.

I do still have a little trouble, the truck idles well, and pulls well from above 1/4 throttle, but the transition from idle to 1/4 throttle is terrible and sometimes it has a little backfire when I get on it. I have the timing advanced a bit and that helped, but it's not perfect.

 

That sounds like you're running a little lean.

 

Pfogle, thanks for the tip. I am going to reset the idle mixture to the rich side of good and see if there is any change. I probably have some vacuum leaks as well, but it's an old truck and it's hard to get parts in Iraq. As long as it gets me around base I am happy, the weather is turning cold and it's going to get muddy once it starts raining.

 

I put the 1405 edelbrock on my 83 w/ a 351w. the stock intake WILL not work you have to buy an intake that is made for a 4bbl. I had no problems at all after I found out that the stock intake wont work. It took me about 2 hours to take the old intake off and put the new stuff on. Now the truck runs alot quieter for not having mufflers. and has more power than before.