Notices

428 W/ CARTER AFB CFM UNKNOWN

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 11, 2010 | 08:04 AM
  #1  
RANGER589's Avatar
RANGER589
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: ROCKVILLE, CT.
428 W/ CARTER AFB CFM UNKNOWN

I have a 428 with a Carter AFB. Not sure of the CFM and I didn't see anythin on the carb denoting it.

Here's what I do know and it ain't much...

It has an electric choke that isn't working so when I start her up I need to keep my foot on the pedal for a minute or two

It idles well when initally cool ( after that minute or two ) but once up and run around the block the idle is high out of gear. In gear, it has a nice lope to it and idle seems a bit high.

It runs fine but when I punch it, it bogs at WOT. Either from dead stop or cruising. If I slowly apply power it accelerates well.

The engine does not blow any smoke and seems like it should be producing a ***** load more power than it is ( It was totally rebuilt back in 03 ) and all the maintenance records that came with the truck indicate a previous owner that likely treated this like his daughter.

What I'm really looking for is knowledge on what would be a good laymans manual on the Carter carburators and advice on what guys here think to make this thing run like it should.

Thank you, Todd.
 
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2010 | 03:41 PM
  #2  
Bear 45/70's Avatar
Bear 45/70
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
Three words, "REBUILD THE CARB", if you must keep the Carter. My best advice is buy yourself a 600 CFM vacuum secondary Holley (this is what came on the standard 428, because those Carters (AKA Edelbrock now) carbs are a bitch to tune.
 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2010 | 07:26 AM
  #3  
RANGER589's Avatar
RANGER589
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: ROCKVILLE, CT.
Originally Posted by Bear 45/70
Three words, "REBUILD THE CARB", if you must keep the Carter. My best advice is buy yourself a 600 CFM vacuum secondary Holley (this is what came on the standard 428, because those Carters (AKA Edelbrock now) carbs are a bitch to tune.

Thanks Bear. Think I will invest in the Holley 600 CFM.
 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2010 | 07:47 PM
  #4  
Moto Mel's Avatar
Moto Mel
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 3
From: Chesapeake, Va.
Originally Posted by Bear 45/70
Three words, "REBUILD THE CARB", if you must keep the Carter. My best advice is buy yourself a 600 CFM vacuum secondary Holley (this is what came on the standard 428, because those Carters (AKA Edelbrock now) carbs are a bitch to tune.
All of the 428 CJ and SCJs came with a 735 or 750 cfm Holley the 428 Galaxys, PIs and T-Birds came with a Motorcraft carb, to the best of my knowlege. A 600 cfm carb might be too small for your engine but it is a good start.
 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2010 | 08:30 PM
  #5  
Bear 45/70's Avatar
Bear 45/70
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
Originally Posted by Moto Mel
All of the 428 CJ and SCJs came with a 735 or 750 cfm Holley the 428 Galaxys, PIs and T-Birds came with a Motorcraft carb, to the best of my knowlege. A 600 cfm carb might be too small for your engine but it is a good start.
Actually a 600 CFM carb is exactly what came on the the Thunderbird 428, a 600 CFM carb, and maybe my memory is faulty but I thought the 428 600 was the same carb that was on the 390GT. Both the CJ and SCJ had the 735 CFM Holley.
 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2010 | 09:23 PM
  #6  
Moto Mel's Avatar
Moto Mel
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 3
From: Chesapeake, Va.
Originally Posted by Bear 45/70
Actually a 600 CFM carb is exactly what came on the the Thunderbird 428, a 600 CFM carb, and maybe my memory is faulty but I thought the 428 600 was the same carb that was on the 390GT. Both the CJ and SCJ had the 735 CFM Holley.
All of the '66 and up T-Birds and 7 Litre galaxies I have ever looked at had the Motorcraft carb. It has been a long time but, I dont recall seeing Carters on any of the Ford line. For some reason they seemed to be on the Mercury and Lincoln lines the most. Maybe they were too expensive for the Fords. The first 4bbl. carb I ever ran was a Carter from a '54 Mercury that I put the intake and all on my '54 Ford. It ran great and then I put 3 2bbl 94s on it and never looked back. The Carter ran way better though but no sex appeal.
 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2010 | 05:14 AM
  #7  
Old Hickory's Avatar
Old Hickory
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 781
Likes: 8
From: Sanford, NC
The standard 428 engines had Ford/Motorcraft carbs usually 4100s. The Cobra Jet 428
had a 735cfm 4150 Holley with center hung float bowls. The 1966&1967 390GT engines
also came with a 4150 Holley with center hung bowls but rated at 600 cfm. The 4100
Motorcraft carbs for big blocks in the 1960s were 1.12 venturi size and also rated at
600 cfm. Some California emisson type setups ran 1.08 venturi size 4100s rated at 480
cfm on some 1966 390s and 428s.
 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2010 | 10:01 AM
  #8  
RANGER589's Avatar
RANGER589
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: ROCKVILLE, CT.
Update. Well I have her idling a tad better but she still idles high after running for about 5 minutes. Also, The secondarys are only bogging prior to that five minutes. Once she is warmed up it is quite exciting. I haven't had a vehicle jump like her since my 66 Chevelle.

I found somewhere that confirmed the 735 cfm Holley application. When I do change I was thinking maybe going with a 650 cfm instead of the 600 Bear had recommended only because it seems like a decent compromise

Whats your guys take?

Also, upon further inspection of the carb the body casting has Weber on the left side? Did Weber ( under license ) produce CARTER AFB's at anytime?

Or is it really a Weber carb? Looking at pictures of the Carter it certainly looks like an AFB and the placard in front of the intake states:
Carter AFB Competition Series.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 16, 2010 | 10:36 AM
  #9  
Moto Mel's Avatar
Moto Mel
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 3
From: Chesapeake, Va.
Or is it really a Weber carb? Looking at pictures of the Carter it certainly looks like an AFB and the placard in front of the intake states:
Carter AFB Competition Series.


That would very likely be one of the last series of the Carter Competition carbs from either the late '60s to mid '70s. Not too long after that Edelbrock got the rights to the Carter carb line. That carb is likely about a 750 cfm or better unit and should work great with a proper rebuild. I am not a fan of the Carter carbs as I always found the Holleys to be better/easier to tune, for me at least. Ford put the Holley on all of the 427s and that was good enough for me. Also the early big block Chevs and the race hemis came with Holleys so they were the most accepted high performance carbs available. In the right hands the Carters were very competitive.
 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2010 | 11:47 AM
  #10  
RANGER589's Avatar
RANGER589
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: ROCKVILLE, CT.
Originally Posted by Moto Mel
Or is it really a Weber carb? Looking at pictures of the Carter it certainly looks like an AFB and the placard in front of the intake states:
Carter AFB Competition Series.


That would very likely be one of the last series of the Carter Competition carbs from either the late '60s to mid '70s. Not too long after that Edelbrock got the rights to the Carter carb line. That carb is likely about a 750 cfm or better unit and should work great with a proper rebuild. I am not a fan of the Carter carbs as I always found the Holleys to be better/easier to tune, for me at least. Ford put the Holley on all of the 427s and that was good enough for me. Also the early big block Chevs and the race hemis came with Holleys so they were the most accepted high performance carbs available. In the right hands the Carters were very competitive.
Thanks Moto Mel.

So, should I hang onto this carb for desirability reasons? Think anyone would see value in it for resto reasons?

My gut tells me that I would probably have to be dead and gone before it came to that point.
 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2010 | 12:48 PM
  #11  
Moto Mel's Avatar
Moto Mel
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 3
From: Chesapeake, Va.
I don't think it will be a "Hot Item" in the near future but it could be a good carb for your application. I believe the bolt pattern is different and as you already have the intake you might as well use it. Edelbrock should be able to provide info and a kit for it. You might send it to one of our advertizers that keep popping up here for a rebuild. They have an 800 number and if you call them for a price to rebuild and tell them what you have they might tell you exactly what you have.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rebocardo
Fuel Injection, Carburetion & Fuel System
3
Jan 24, 2009 06:04 AM
RedRyder7480
Fuel Injection, Carburetion & Fuel System
4
Jan 24, 2008 05:44 PM
tractoman
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Mar 13, 2006 04:34 PM
etcetera
Fuel Injection, Carburetion & Fuel System
6
Jun 12, 2003 09:33 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:54 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE