Was talking to someone on here a week or so ago. I cant seem to find our conversation. But the concern at hand is that the person indicated that the distributor vac line should not go to manifold vacuum, hence Verns recommendation. The only vac port i have is off the intake. I dont have a ported vac port off the carb. Motor is a 51 8ba. Carb is a model 59, 94 stamped on rear. Dont know to post or i would..... Any ideas or suggestions?
On the 8BA engine, the carb has a vacuum port on the back of the body, just above the idle screws. You need to find a carb with 8BA cast on the side of the bowl where your present numbers are. The carb you have is for a 59 series engine which uses manifold vacuum to advance/retard the timing according to load and speed. The 8BA, 8CM and 8RT uses ported vacuum from the venturi in the carb. The vacuum rises and falls with the position of the throttle plate. You need to be sure any gaskets or anything between the carb base and the manifold has a little hole to the side of one of the mounting bolts. This is what feeds vacuum to the port.
Well to boot i rebuilt the carb not knowing of this issue. So. That being said, can i use it with the distributor using manifold vacuum? Or ?
No you can’t. The only way to use that carb is to NOT use the loadamatic distributor. Options would be an electronic or a GM manifold vacuum distributor thats adapted for a flathead. Bubba on the H.A.M.B. used to sell these. Or change to a 59 era distributor. But that would also mean you’d have to change the cam. Easiest option. Throw in an MSD. All options are just or more expensive than changing your carb.
Nope. A Pertronix (if it works for any length of time), only changes the way the spark is generated, not the timing of the spark. You have two choices, a different (proper) carburetor, or a different distributor. I prefer the latter. There are a lot of ways to go, an old Mallory (or similar) or a converted SBC unit as mentioned earlier. I like the old Mallory's, but that's why I'm on the "H.A.M.B.". Here's a hint : stay away from 6 volt Pertronix setups; they are notoriously unreliable.
Thanks petejoe. Appreciate your time. Im really not sure whats my best route right now. Maybe source the right carb?? This is the carb that was on the motor when i got it by the way. So i assumed it was what was supposed to be there. I guess this is what happens when you gather parts for years, then start the transformation, somewhat unknowingly. Well what exactly i have so far engine wise is a 8ba with a 94 carb model 59 rebuilt and never had fuel in it, but installed. A pertronix ignition installed but never fired. Correct ford fitting at the carb and fuel lines run. All bolt nicely together but wont believed to work well together. Lets see how much more money i can throw down a rabbit hole. Haha
Tried many times and ways. I click upload file, then file, pick the the pic, then in red is an error has occurred., every time
Let me ask... Any option to drill my base to gain the port needed above the throttle plates? Replace the base? Or a recommendation for the right carb?
Nope. The LOM vacuum signal is through metered passages on the 8BA 94. The vacuum port is on the main body of the carburetor. I suppose you could swap carb tops but you might as well use a complete 8BA unit.
Instead of using the app, go to a web browser and submit your picture in that format. I’ve had this problem myself.
There is a guy on a sister forum (The Ford Barn) called "Charlie ny" who is an absolute wizard when it comes to these carburetors. I would suggest you go over there (it sounds like where you should be anyway) and get in touch with him. I guarantee he will be able to fix your problem.
Regarding the vacuum signal from the carb, the load o matic distributor timing is adjusted from the vacuum generated from the air passing through the venturi of the carb throat. The port you need taps into that, it is NOT a manifold vacuum signal. They don't even work that well to be honest, I would upgrade it.
One thing is, the correct carbs are on ebay every day for not much cash. It's always a small gamble, but I've bought a couple real nice ones for about $40 each. Then put all your new gaskets, etc. in that one. Easy. I'd add that I have two 8BAs running real well with the original setup.
To get the vacuum advance running on ported using the Quadrajet, you have to have the carburetor modified by a carb specialist who knows where to drill.. Cliff Ruggles knows how to do this modification. It might be in his book.. The other vacuum ports are for emissions and are timed. They do not work for vacuum advance and will make the engine run real weird..
I actually had to use the app instead of my web browser to get em to load. Im on a tablet, so maybe that has something to do with it. Thanks again for the idea tho. Sent from my SM-T387V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Load-O-Matic distributors have no centrifugal advance (no advance weights). They use venturi vacuum to advance the timing in relation to engine speed. You really need a carb with a venturi vacuum port.
It does seem that sometime a smart-phone or tablet doesn't have the full capability of a laptop or desktop system. If you're having problems uploading with a desktop or laptop with a conventional browser, it's always worth trying a different browser. Firefox seems to work as well or better than most on my Win10 desktop.
Will keep Firefox in mind. And i actually already have a line on a couple correct carbs. Thanks to another HAMB member. Thanks to all again.
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