53 Flathead Carb
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 739
Likes: 1
From: Murfreesboro, TN
53 Flathead Carb
Ok.... I'm still in the resto mode...
My flat head is at an engine re-builder (he mostly does racing engines but he is geeked about working on a flathead... he said he hasn't seen one in years. I stopped by the other day and he said he has a lot of big bore engines from the 70's in his shop right now, but mine is the oldest by far... (I digress)
As we were talking I asked him if he thought I should swap out my stock carb because of the new gasoline's...??? He said yes,
Is there a way to re-build my stock carb so the new fangled gas won't eat up the seals and gaskets and whatever else it will affect?
Any and all thoughts appreciated.
My flat head is at an engine re-builder (he mostly does racing engines but he is geeked about working on a flathead... he said he hasn't seen one in years. I stopped by the other day and he said he has a lot of big bore engines from the 70's in his shop right now, but mine is the oldest by far... (I digress)
As we were talking I asked him if he thought I should swap out my stock carb because of the new gasoline's...??? He said yes,
Is there a way to re-build my stock carb so the new fangled gas won't eat up the seals and gaskets and whatever else it will affect?
Any and all thoughts appreciated.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
say what ? i cant wait for the answer on this one as i've been tooling apound daily in bessie with a stock holley 94 and lead additive with no problems but i dont know everything ...... yet !
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
say what ? i cant wait for the answer on this one as i've been tooling around daily in bessie with a stock holley 94 and lead additive with no problems but i dont know everything ...... yet !
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,286
Likes: 1,050
From: NM
The rubber compounds used in older carbs won't stand up to MBTE and some ethanol mixes. If the carb has been rebuilt in the last 20 years it's probably OK, they've been using Viton for a long time. Old fuel pump diaphragms are very susceptible, back in the '70-80's I remember a rash of failures on carbureted cars when they went to unleaded gas and started adding stuff like MBTE to regain octane ratings.
Specifically for a Holley 94, check the accelerator pump piston after a couple months on modern gas. Or install a quality new one beforehand.
Additives advertised as lead replacements do no good, it's been discussed on here and elsewhere for a long time. Not needed and no benefit.
Specifically for a Holley 94, check the accelerator pump piston after a couple months on modern gas. Or install a quality new one beforehand.
Additives advertised as lead replacements do no good, it's been discussed on here and elsewhere for a long time. Not needed and no benefit.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 874
Likes: 0
From: Ashland, KY
All I do is put gas in my truck and drive it. I use no additive's at all. So far she runs like a champ.
Scott B.
1951 F1
239 Flathead V8 3 on the tree
Scott B.
1951 F1
239 Flathead V8 3 on the tree
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
ok doke about the additives . like i said earlier didn't really wanna take a chance on my flatty . a later v-8 oh well but i was jus' a tad concerned 'bout it's health. i've been having troubles with the 94 staying " in tune " so i geuss i'll get a kit and rebuild her ... sometime after the transmission , the cab mount, the new wiring harness ....... right now i should be goin' sheez does it ever stop , but im having way to much fun puttin' 'round in bessie . this might be the excuse i need to buy a 4v intake and a 500 cfm carb to then no worries 'bout what the new pee water will do to the gaskets .