After gathering much good information about carburetion and exhaust, it was suggested that I seek a cam to match the upgrade from 2bbl to 3 deuces on an Edelbrock 553 on my 292. Any advise, opinions or sources for the right cam would be appreciated. thanks. himmelberg

 

himmelberg, I don't want this to seem like I'm trying to rain on your parade, but, there is a lot more to consider than just cam and carbs. What type ignition are you going to or are useing. Pre 57, stock, won't work. Stick or automatic Etc.? Are you just going to cruise and want something to look and sound good, or are you going to stomp it and really want something to happen? I've got a 3 deuce setup on the shelf in my shop now. It's my second attempt to get one to do right since 1957. I didn't learn then and I haven't been able to do so this time.

Let me give you something to think about. If you are not running a 57 or later stock dist. or aftermarket with centrifugal advance, no matter what you do you will have to upgrade this. A 4bbl of 600 to 700cfm will out perform the 3 deuces hands down with a lottttt less trouble. In 57 I finally went with a Crane 427-C cam (if you call them today they don't know any thing about that grind) and a 4bbl carb and manifold off a 57 T Bird, used stock 3spd. stick and 4.10 rear from a station wagon in a 56 Victoria HT. It would scream. I'm running a .080 over 292 with a competition cam and 600cfm Edelbrock 4bbl. now. If your interested I can get the grind number to you next Monday. I'm on the road and won't be back home till Sat. I tried to do the 3 deuce thing again useing 3 Holly 94's and got tired of messing with it. Keep in mind, decent, not fancy, Holly 94's are going to cost you about $100.00 or higher ea + a core charge of $50.00 or more ea. and these are rebuilt not new. The Edelbrock is about $250.00 + shipping on the net. It's new and a cinch to get to run right. and still gets about 18 mpg with the old Ford O Matic (I'm older now and shifting gears isn't as enjoyable as it used to be.) All I do now is cruise and it sounds awsome with a set of Smittys.

Just my $.02. Which ever way you go, good luck. If I can help, holler, Carl

 

Irac... I hear the voice of experience in your answer... just the guy I'm looking for.... My engine is a 1960 model, and it sports the later ignition... and am looking to go Pertronix there. Have the standard 3 on the tree and 3.70ish rear end. I drive this thing two miles to school every day... am in it for the fun, haven't the reaction time or the ego of a kid to race the thing. The setup is all ready to be installed... I've rebuilt the carbs on the edelbrock 553 that I picked up last summer on ebay. It turns out that one of my student's husband built the truck up from stock... pretty fresh running 292. Coolness is the goal here... not speed. Thanks for your help. best. himmelberg

 

I use the Pertronix setup and have had no bad luck. Take a look about 3 threads down under prginocx there is some info there that I posted that may help you. Also if your still going to swap out the cam, you may want to check with John Mummert at www.ford-y-block.com on what he would suggest. John is one of the leading authorities on the 235 thru 312ci Y blocks. Good luck, Carl

 

I just couldnt get excited about a stock cast iron 4bbl intake even with a chrome Holley. Mummerts Blue Thunder is too pricey for a truck; great hp producer otherwise when you can get the revs up there. I may use one on the roadster.
Im using one of his cams in my F350.

COOL is the operative word so Im also another with the 553 and 3 94's. As with a flathead you just cant beat the looks of 3 chrome pots. Got the intake off another forum for $130 shipped, cleaned and without that phony EBay bead blasted look.

Irac, dont know where you live but 94's are $4-20 at any fleamarket out here and kits are $20 or so. Then go to any speed shop that carries Holley and grab a handful of power valves and jets, they are the same ones used today as in the 94's. I like 4.5 PV's on the ends. On line, get them at Summit.

A local rebuilder gets $60 for 94's but you have to supply non stock PV or jets.

The 94 is simple enough to do at home. The trick is tuning them in multi carb set ups. Thats where the UniSyn is indispensible. I know others who tune with an exhaust analyzer but thats cheating!

Maybe I should start peddling some of my Stromberg and Holley stash on EBay; what crazy prices people pay!

Himmelberg, let me know when you put your rams on EBay, I dont want to compete with you; might as well keep the suckers paying top $$.

Instead of a Petronix Im using a Mark10B CD ignition in keeping with the look I want, besides it was only $12 on EBay. You old timers will remember those boxes. I still have the Cragar one I bought in 65 and its on my 68 Impala SS-396 ragtop now. See, I didnt use the C word.

 

Carl,

I just bought an Offenhauser 3 deuce manifold for a 312 that I'm building. My wife's 55 Vicky has a big 2bbl on its 272 that I think I'll use for the center carb. Now I'm shopping for end carbs.

I'm thinking EBU or similar Holley 94 carbs.

I scored some ECZ-G heads and I have 1.54 rockers off of a 1956 292. And I just bought a brand new, in-the-box C5AE distributor.

My wife's 292 will get the ECZ-B 4 bbl to go with the automatic, but I'm putting the 3 deuces on the truck's 312/3sp/od .

You got some carbs to peddle?

Paul

 

Paul, I may have 1 or 2 rebuilt 94s that I stashed away a couple of years ago, I'll look for them this weekend. I have several that need rebuilding. In fact I believe I have 3 Ford script carbs that need rebuilding if you're interested. I got them as a set on a 3 duce Y block manifold. If you're interested Email me @ cwlarkins@ashland.com

 

Paul, Im quickly exhausting my stock. Been a long winter and Ive been too used to bare ground for several years and picking up stuff.

Still 2-3' of snow on the ground and another month to the first swap meet!

A sweet setup is a 2100 in the center and true 94's on the end, that will give you around 500-525 total cfm.

Try and use the same family for the ends, 38-48 59A and earlier type; 48-54 8BA type; or Y block. Make sure the nozzle bars are the same, there are standard and high lift types.

 

An update. I have discovered that my Offenhauser intake has a leak between the exhaust cross-over and the plenum in the intake. Maybe I can get that heat chamber cut open, weld the leak shut, and weld the chamber closed again.

I have four 94 carbs so far. No two are alike. More on the way. I've also got a 2100 on the way. Hopefully, it will be good enough for a center carb. The plan it to use 7RT carb tops for the front and back so that I can use the flanged carb tops to hold an air cleaner that spans all three carbs.

The carbs I have so far say 15/16, 1, and 1 1/16. I assume that's the diameter of the throttle plates. Does anybody know if the carb tops are interchangeable?

 

Paul, to be honest I would EBay that Offy and get an Edelbrock. Besides the problem they are poor breathers. Cut your losses now.

The numbers on the rear of the carbs are venturi size. The 15/16 are from flatheads, the 1" is probably an EBU/EBV and is for an early 239 Y (or if its LZ its a V12 Lincoln), and the others are the later Y's.

Tops interchange but throttle body bores are larger on the last one.

Interesting idea with the truck tops, I might even have one or two kicking around I'd swap for plain tops.

 

Carl,

Were you the helpful soul who described how to use Sulfated Molasses as a block cleaner?

I finally got my bony *** out to get a 55 gal. drum with top and I've been calling the feed shops looking for the molasses but the only thing I find is cane molasses.

I realize that the Offy is a 360 compared to the Edelbrock 180 but how bad can the flow really be? I bought this one because it wasn't an Edelbrock. This will be used on a 55 Vicky with a 292. Maybe later I'll put it on my 312.

I've also got an ECG-B intake and a 3 bolt 2bbl intake with an 94 ECG carb.

I have a carb with a top that would be a good candidate for swapping for the 7RT top.

-Paul

 

Yeah, Im the molasses guy Paul. The stuff comes from sugar cane so all you need to do is make sure it has sulphur added from the supplier. This is SOP for use as horse feed and you dont have to add it.

Im going by dyno testing reports on various intakes. The Offy is no better than the early stock 4bbl.
If its strictly for looks it wont be that important.

The later factory ECZ-B 4bbl intake is very good and can be cleaned up to flow even better.
The Weiand is another good trips setup; dont know about Edmunds.

I'll look for a RT top, EMail me your snail mail addy.