Need advice on a 4-barrel carb

B

billwhite

Junior Member
Have an offy 4-barrel intake for a 8ba flathead. What carb should I buy? A Holly 390, Autolite 2100 or what else?
 
I have used the 390 Holly and it done very well for me, I am building a wcfb,a rochester 4 jet, and thinking about experimenting with the 41oo 1.12 from a big block and installing it on a blown flathead, a 4 barrel is in my opinion the most trouble free and the performance has always been decent.I have used the 1953 version of the 452 Edelbrock and the Offenhauser 4 barrels both have done good.
good luck!
Fordestes
 
Holley 390 has worked well for me.

608d7b50.jpg
 
The WCFB is the way to go. Small, looks correct, flows at 380CFM. Basic pic
of carb:

WCFB.jpg
 
I have used the Edelbrock 500 on two flatheads with very good results. I've had people tell me it's too much carb for the motor, but it worked fine. I got good mileage and the motor was very responsive off idle. I had nothing but problems with a 390 and would not use one again. I haven't used a WCFB, but when the four barrel manifold first came out the were designed for that carb. Guys I know that used them were very satisfied.
 
too those that have rebuilt the w.c.f.b, what do I need to pay specific attention to,it shure looks like a nightmare inside with all them jets and metering rods I found a little info on them but if it can be fouled up I'm
most likely the one to find out first hand.
Thanks!
Fordestes
 
Bill,
I'm running a '52 Olds Rochester 4 brl on an ancient Fenton
intake. The Roch is a simpler carb than the Carter but has the same vintage
look. No doubt the Carter is probably a more efficient carb. I'm a throw
back guy.....everyone else in my crowd is using the Holley 390 out of
the box.
Charlie ny
 
Thanks jdl, The rebuild manual is above and beyond what I expected to ever see.
with this it should be a snap.
Thanks !
Fordestes
 
Another excellent vintage carb that's harder to find is the Stromberg Aeroquad - only used for a few years on Buicks (I think). I don't know flow, but it's comparable to the Carter.

If you can, get the WCFB for a smaller engine like a 265/283 Chevy - it will be better jetted and sized (the main body is slightly different from model to model) for a flathead than a big Buick or Cadillac.
 
Back in the early 50's a friend had a 40 Merc coupe with a 276 and a used an early Buick Stromberg 4bbl carb. It had Zeffrer gears in trans and 3:54 rear. You could drive for weeks in 2nd gear. I remember driving it in 2nd. on a long streach of road, kept pushing the gas peddle down slowly and suddenly the the 4bbl opened and it felt like the front end lifted right up. It also had a chopped top with about a 6in. windsheild. What a fun car to drive. Walt
 
TJ said:
I have used the Edelbrock 500 on two flatheads with very good results. I've had people tell me it's too much carb for the motor, but it worked fine. I got good mileage and the motor was very responsive off idle. I had nothing but problems with a 390 and would not use one again. I haven't used a WCFB, but when the four barrel manifold first came out the were designed for that carb. Guys I know that used them were very satisfied.
Click to expand...

I have a 40 with 2 - Edelbrock 94s with a high rise manifold on a 53 flathead V8. I cannot solve the excessive gas fume problem in my garage even after rebuilding both carbs. Any suggestions on replacing the manifold and carbs would be greatly appreciated.
 
I am using WCFB's on two engines. They are off 54 Buicks. I have one on a 241 Dodge hemi and one on a 276 59A engine. Both give great power,drivability and economy. I have not changed the jetting on either. I did plug some vac. leaks/ports. The carbs are ideal as they are small base and have flow control flappers on the secondaries. No bog. I had a 56 Cad on one before and it was terrible. I was told that this carb was the carb of choice back in the day for flatheads. They sure work for me.
 
Flat Ernie said:
Another excellent vintage carb that's harder to find is the Stromberg Aeroquad - only used for a few years on Buicks (I think). I don't know flow, but it's comparable to the Carter.

If you can, get the WCFB for a smaller engine like a 265/283 Chevy - it will be better jetted and sized (the main body is slightly different from model to model) for a flathead than a big Buick or Cadillac.
Click to expand...

The Chevy used the wider mounting bolt pattern and you need an adapter to put on a vintage flathead manifold. A better choice but a little harder to find is the a Dodge WCFB used on the little red ram hemis and only had about 241 cubic inches with a small bolt pattern.
 
52 olds carter wcfb..edelbrock manifold , throttle on passenger side ,auto choke,no adapter,generator in stock location,this will be going on my 41 w/ 50 merc engine this spring...:D
 

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I like the erly Wafb my self, but it's hard to tune, The Edelbrock 500 is my favirite. Don't think much of the 390, run rich. Just mu opinion.
 
I've been running an Edelbrock 500 on a basically stock 8BA for a couple of years & love it. Set it up using an exhaust gas analyser but basically drive on the primaries so not too thirsty!! Manual choke and instant starting from cold. If I go a week without driving it (rarely happens!) I need to prime the carb as float bowls drain. I'm using an electric fuel pump so not an issue.
 
4dFord/SC said:
Holley 390 has worked well for me.

608d7b50.jpg
Click to expand...

I am leaning toward switching my 2 - Edelbrock 94s to a Holley 4 barrel manual choke on my 53 flathead V8. Would you suggest I go to Speedway for the parts?

I plan on driving my 40 as much as I can. Hopefully y
The Hooel won't have the gas fumes that the 2 - 94s are leaking.
 
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