Darkside calling Flathead carb options
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 739
Likes: 1
From: Murfreesboro, TN
Darkside calling Flathead carb options
Randy.. don't say a word...
Ok, I admit.. I hear the darkside calling. Since my flathead re-build is netting me some more HP via the Merc Stroker crank I was lucky enough to stumble on when my original crank came up cracked...
And my engine guy is REAL meticulous, he recently explained how Ford balanced the crank and the rods... and then how he is actually doing it. (He builds serious race car engines...)
Well, here's what I would like to do.
Keep the generator.. (this is the challenge)
And then go with a 2 carb set-up...
OR
If I can't fit two 2 barrels. then a 4 barrel.
Has anyone done this to their Flattie? Would love to see pictures...
Want to keep generator...so that impacts room... But I'm sure I've seen this done....
Any and ALL advice, help and specific detailed input is welcomed.
Steve
Ok, I admit.. I hear the darkside calling. Since my flathead re-build is netting me some more HP via the Merc Stroker crank I was lucky enough to stumble on when my original crank came up cracked...
And my engine guy is REAL meticulous, he recently explained how Ford balanced the crank and the rods... and then how he is actually doing it. (He builds serious race car engines...)
Well, here's what I would like to do.
Keep the generator.. (this is the challenge)
And then go with a 2 carb set-up...
OR
If I can't fit two 2 barrels. then a 4 barrel.
Has anyone done this to their Flattie? Would love to see pictures...
Want to keep generator...so that impacts room... But I'm sure I've seen this done....
Any and ALL advice, help and specific detailed input is welcomed.
Steve
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 739
Likes: 1
From: Murfreesboro, TN
Some web surfing has shown that I can get a new manifold that will allow a 4 bbl, or 2 2 bbl carbs and still keep the generator....
I'm thinking that the 4 bbl would be easier to set up and maintain,
but the 2 2's would look COOL....
Any thoughts?
I'm thinking that the 4 bbl would be easier to set up and maintain,
but the 2 2's would look COOL....
Any thoughts?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 587
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, ME
This is a side view of mine with a 390 Holley 4 bbl, with an alternator. However, you can see there's a decent bit of room between the two and most likely plenty of room for the generator. It's an Offy intake.
I know the twin carbs are the cool route, but I drive mine enough that I really appreciate the electric choke, and the relative ease of working on the Holley 390, plus the availability of parts for it. I don't even have to go the counter at O'Reilly, they have all the Holley carb stuff out in the store. There's also an adaptor to the 4 bbl intake to make it a twin carb set up, so you can switch back and forth if you want to try both routes, but linkages will have to be reworked too.
I know the twin carbs are the cool route, but I drive mine enough that I really appreciate the electric choke, and the relative ease of working on the Holley 390, plus the availability of parts for it. I don't even have to go the counter at O'Reilly, they have all the Holley carb stuff out in the store. There's also an adaptor to the 4 bbl intake to make it a twin carb set up, so you can switch back and forth if you want to try both routes, but linkages will have to be reworked too.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,288
Likes: 1,053
From: NM
Holley 94's and Stromberg 97's are $$$ in proper shape, and nothing to write home about even when perfectly dialed in. They didn't have sophisticated metering at all, so economy is not their forte'. Think about opening 4 butterflies instead of two, every time you step on the gas! (Sure you can stage them on some manifolds, but that's even more tricky).
Go with the 4-bbl, but check out Edelbrock's equivalent model. Lots of good words about it, and even better economy. No problems with power valves.
As far as clearing the generator, my recollection is some are running gen's with 4-bbls, but seems like there are some issues (maybe you have to mount the carb backwards?). What do the intake mnfr's say? I'd post over on the new Flathead Forum, I know guys over there have done it. Honestly, the alternator would do as much good as the 4-bbl!
Go with the 4-bbl, but check out Edelbrock's equivalent model. Lots of good words about it, and even better economy. No problems with power valves.
As far as clearing the generator, my recollection is some are running gen's with 4-bbls, but seems like there are some issues (maybe you have to mount the carb backwards?). What do the intake mnfr's say? I'd post over on the new Flathead Forum, I know guys over there have done it. Honestly, the alternator would do as much good as the 4-bbl!
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 739
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From: Murfreesboro, TN
Yeah Ross, once you start DOWN that slippery slope...... The darkside strangles you... LOL
If I switch to an alternator... I'm thinkin that then takes me to 12 V.. which then means switching everything over to 12...
I am still trying to stay stock. Hopping the engine is just my teenage years calling NOT THE DARKSIDE.... Luke... RESIST.
If I switch to an alternator... I'm thinkin that then takes me to 12 V.. which then means switching everything over to 12...
I am still trying to stay stock. Hopping the engine is just my teenage years calling NOT THE DARKSIDE.... Luke... RESIST.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 797
Likes: 3
From: Cape Coral FL
Expensive but very cool Weber carbs. I would love to have this setup! And plenty of room for generator.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
The 2x2, 4bbl, gen relocation are all considered as Traditional Flathead. It's not even close to shades of gray let alone darkside.
Driving it everyday (or alot) I'd go the 4bbl route.
The Generator relocation is just a bracket that leans it off to one side to clean the manifold. Better yet get a Powergen which is and alternator thats build in a generator case.
Driving it everyday (or alot) I'd go the 4bbl route.
The Generator relocation is just a bracket that leans it off to one side to clean the manifold. Better yet get a Powergen which is and alternator thats build in a generator case.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 797
Likes: 3
From: Cape Coral FL
Weber Carburetors, Conversion Kits - Pierce Manifolds Inc.
LMC has the kits in their catalog too.
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fa/full.aspx?Page=35
LMC has the kits in their catalog too.
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fa/full.aspx?Page=35
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 739
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From: Murfreesboro, TN
For those interested... Powergen does make a 6v positive ground unit. Chrome and black.
I'm waiting for pricing... Their website said O'Rieley's Auto had them, but the guys there didn't have a clue. Sometimes they're good... sometimes not so.
I'm waiting for pricing... Their website said O'Rieley's Auto had them, but the guys there didn't have a clue. Sometimes they're good... sometimes not so.