any carb will work, just so you get vacuum to the distributor. 59 style pumps , the belt will hit the distributor. 8ba pickup pumps will get what you want, to fit your test stand. note there are some that have a higher mounting pad for the motor mounts. you need the ones that mount low, near the water outlet, like a 59 style
8rt bellhousing
- Thread starter GB SISSON
- Start date
JSeery
Member Emeritus
Not sure where you came up with that idea, but just any carb will NOT work!!! It has to be a carb designed for an 8ba engine. Manifold (or any other) vacuum source WILL NOT WORK.
You are using the 8ba distributor, correct? If it is using a crab distributor then the vacuum can be manifold vacuum.
JSeery
Member Emeritus
They can't without modifying the distributer. A common modification is the use of a Chevy distributer. The Ford 8ba distributer does not have any advance weights and works on only the vacuum. The carb source is designed to work with the distributer.
UNDERSTANDING THE LOAD-A-MATIC FULL VACUUM DISTRIBUTORS
JIM LINDER “BUBBAS Hot Rod Shop” www.bubbashotrodshop.com
Ford made the “load-a’matic (full vacuum) distributor from 1949 until 1957 on most of their engines . This distributor is very much mis-understood by many owners etc.
The load a matic works by adding spark advance thru a vacuum chamber using vacuum differential at the carburetor.This vacuum signal from the carb is very low with advance typically starting at ½ inch of vacuum and being full advance at 2 inchs of vacuum.
The slightest change in the engine vacuum makes this unit become a problem and not supply the correct signal. A carb change is the most common problem making this unit not work. Twin carbs, a camshaft change also makes the unit become inoperative. I have talked to many owners with the vacuum line disconnected with complaints of engine overheating ( retarded ignition timing) and a poor running engine.
GB SISSON
Well-known member
But the engine should start and run with the 59 ab type carb? I just ran up to the house to find out the firing order, it wants to start but is backfiring thru carb and exhaust. I should have firing order carved into a post in the shop as I'l always checking it on new start ups....
GB SISSON
Well-known member
Well, it roared to life sitting on a couple of blocks and wedges that I secured under it. Runs real smooth but wont idle too well yet. Not sure how long it's been sitting, but it is totally alive now. Gonna put some water in it tomorrow and run it a bit more. My wife got some start up pics but I forgot to put the cf card in the camera. I will put an oil pressure guage on it and also do a compression check. I know the oil pump works because the lid on the oil filter was just hand tight and the oil came out with good force. Thanks for all the help here. A successful day indeed!
GB SISSON
Well-known member
A pic from this morning. It varies between 25 and 50 psi oil pressure with rpms. Still d idn't get water in it so just very short runs. I DID however find a decent looking 8ba type carb in a milk crate in my shop's attic. Can't wait to try it out after work tomorrow. The fuel tank support fits neatly into the head's water outlet.
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flatheadmurre
Well-known member
Poor some water in it or take of the belt to the pumps.
They dont like being ran dry.
They dont like being ran dry.
Walt Dupont--Me.
Well-known member
I think you ought to pattern that gas tank, I think it's cool, is that branch off an Oak tree? lol Walt
GB SISSON
Well-known member
Willow... it was lying on the ground under the tree and I snapped it over my knee to length, just like when we were kids.
moefuzz
Senior Member
.
GB,
It took a bit to figure out what your picture of the starter plate was.
The picture shows what I think is a SBF starter plate but the way you have
it oriented on the engine places it 145 degrees out of phase as well as it
is placed on the block with its actual transmission 'face' placed to the
block.
I took your pic, corrected it to orient the top side as well as flipped the
pic horizontally in order to show correct placement against an engine
block -just as is the case in your pic.
Although the general shape varies some what, the 'tell' will be in the top
bolt spacing.
moe
GB,
It took a bit to figure out what your picture of the starter plate was.
The picture shows what I think is a SBF starter plate but the way you have
it oriented on the engine places it 145 degrees out of phase as well as it
is placed on the block with its actual transmission 'face' placed to the
block.
I took your pic, corrected it to orient the top side as well as flipped the
pic horizontally in order to show correct placement against an engine
block -just as is the case in your pic.
Although the general shape varies some what, the 'tell' will be in the top
bolt spacing.
moe
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