Quick question on my teapot carburetor. The number on the base shows 12R500FP. Is this the normal number? I’m the process of rebuilding it and just curious. Also on the other side it has the letters ALCO. Didn’t know if that had significance either.
Teapot carburetor question
- Thread starter Marv 49
- Start date
51 MERC-CT
Well-known member
Doesn't look like a '52-'53 "teapot" but a '49-'51 Holley 885 (back draft)
The 12R500FP is casting PN. ALCOA is who cast it.
The 12R500FP is casting PN. ALCOA is who cast it.
Last edited:
mercman from oz
Well-known member
12R500FP. Is this the normal number? Mary 49
34PKUP
Well-known member
Who is Mary 49 ?
I wondered if ALCO was the manufacture. After some more research, I have found out I have been referring to this as a Teapot when I guess that is more appropriate for the later years. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
Are there better rebuild kits than others and is there a preferred place to purchase them? Really appreciate the advise!
Are there better rebuild kits than others and is there a preferred place to purchase them? Really appreciate the advise!
scicala
Well-known member
These carbs weren't always stamped on the base with the actual part number.
It is a teapot style carb like the '52-'53 Merc's and '52 Lincolns. It just has the big lid on it to make a rear air entrance.
Plenty of kits out there. I have good luck and quality with some EBAY vendors.
Sal
It is a teapot style carb like the '52-'53 Merc's and '52 Lincolns. It just has the big lid on it to make a rear air entrance.
Plenty of kits out there. I have good luck and quality with some EBAY vendors.
Sal
51 MERC-CT
Well-known member
36rgtop
Senior Member
It sure doesn't look like a '52-'53 Merc. carb. base to me.
scicala
Well-known member
I'm talking about the bowl with all of the calibration being above the throtte body. In that respect. it's in the teapot family.
Also, they are still actually downdraft carburetors since the airflow is directed downward.
Sal
scicala
Well-known member
You would be better off with two Rochester 2GC carbs from the 50's, 60's or early 70's.
Sal
Got it. Thanks,
rotorwrench
Well-known member
The full shroud Holley 885 would likely have problems with the air shroud clearance in a 2X2 installation unless one carb was turned around but that wouldn't help much with the throttle mechanism.
The 885 was made by Holley and has the Holley Load-O-Matic distributor as a related component. They work well enough on the stock Mercury 255 and Lincoln/truck 337 flathead applications but they don't work well when folks start using them for other applications and especially multiple carb applications. The ignition system generally needs to be replaced with a better set up when a multi carb set up is used.
The 885 was made by Holley and has the Holley Load-O-Matic distributor as a related component. They work well enough on the stock Mercury 255 and Lincoln/truck 337 flathead applications but they don't work well when folks start using them for other applications and especially multiple carb applications. The ignition system generally needs to be replaced with a better set up when a multi carb set up is used.
