Carb question on a 361

A

AndrewZ

Junior Member
I'm doing a restoration on a '59 Edsel Corsair. It has a 361 big block V8 and 2 bbl carb that is a remanufacture. The carb has 62-6-4 on the bottom and 101 on the side. I haven't been able to identify it from those numbers.

The question I have is this: I'd like to put on a 4 bbl carb, but the engine only has 2 intake holes on the top. Do I need an adapter?
 

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You can probably put a 4bbl carb on the existing intake with an adapter. But depending on which carburetor you get, you might get worse fuel mileage and you won't get the big performance increase you might expect. Because the fuel & air flowing thru a 4bbl carburetor can't be more than the 2 existing holes in the intake manifold will allow.

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I was coming to that conclusion... I don't have pics unfortunately. The car is in another location. So maybe I just rebuild this 2 bbl.
 
That's what I would do. You need a different intake to get a 4bbl to work. That might change all the linkage to the throttle and the transmission.
 
I agree with wbedwards and dmsfrr.

The 361 in 1959 came only with an Autolite 4100 four barrel carburetor. The 332 came with a 2 barrel carb. A four barrel adaptor will also make the carb sit approx. 1" higher incase hood clearance is an issue. Also as said, there may be differences in the throttle bell crank or trans downshift hookups.

If really intent on a four barrel, both the 332 and 361 are FE series engines (similar to Ford 332,352, 390 etc.), so a four barrel intake from one of those should bolt on, but not sure about all of the hookups.

If it were mine and your not a hot rod type, I would stick with the 2 barrel set up.

Sal
 
I identified the carb as a Motorcraft 2100d, which was stock for a 332. So I'm going to rebuild the 2100d and get it running with that. Maybe I'll tinker with a 4 bbl down the road when everything is working perfectly and I'm bored :) Thanks for the input, guys. I appreciate it and I'm sure I will have a few more questions on this renovation.
 
Andrew,

The 2100 Autolite 2 barrel carb you have is not the original one on your car. 62-6-4 is a casting mold date meaning June of 1962. 101 is the venturi size (1.01"). That size venturi was used on the much smaller 260 V8. The carb actual part number (if no tag) should be stamped on the side of the left front (driver's side) mounting ear of the carb. Carb will probably work and have pretty snappy acceleration, but will be low on air flow capacity for high RPM power.

Sal
 
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