What were the numbers on these carbs? Specifically, I want to put my 425 nailhead into my '31 Model A 2-door sedan. I have the 425 (a single 4 bbl engine). I have an original factory Buick dual quad manifold. Even though the car will be a hot rod, I want the engine to be as nearly factory stock as I can make it. Even a stock 425 with a 4-speed behind it will probably be all I should be trying to handle at my age. I thought that factory Carter AFB's were made of unobtainium, but Jon (carbking) tells me that they actually are made from verypricium. None-the-less, even though I'll find it hard to scrape together the funds to buy them, I'd still like to find a matched pair of what the factory would have installed originally. I'm thinking that the original air cleaner won't look very good in a hotrod (perhaps hood top only or perhaps no hood) so I'll probably do something different for the air cleaners. If it becomes apparent that I'll never find or afford originals I can always use Edlebrock carbs but would rather have originals. Note: I'd really like to get the skinny from someone who actually has an original factory setup. Please don't suggest "you might try abc, xyz, or etc." Even someone as unknowledgeable as I am can do that. If originals don't work our I'll start another thread asking "what did you use and how did it work?"
You're correct with the AFB's. I detailed a '65 ( ?? ) Riviera with the Super Wildcat 425. Oddly, it's an automatic optioned car. I can ask for carburetor numbers for you .. but I imagine Jon Carbking already knows them.
AFB's are available at a reasonable price, you don't need matching numbers just AFB's. When we had swap meets you could find rebuildable cores for $50 or less. Pat
According to Carbkings site the 1964 425- front carb is a 3645 , rear is a 3646. These numbers are for the automatic. He doesnt have the number for the 4 speed front but has the rear as a 3634.
Do a search for the thread "how did your 401 nailhead fit". That will lead you to another 14 page thread from Hamtown Al about putting a 425 into a 32 Ford. It is an excellent build thread, and will give you other things to consider such as exhaust manifolds, motor mounts and more. He put dual quads on his, and he can give you the info about his. Unless you fab custom headers, you will need specific manifolds to fit between the rails and clear the steering box, starter, and oil filter. I can give you info on those manifolds, just PM me.
‘65 Grand Sport Riv. Automatic. Couple duplicate pictures, not very good at this picture posting! Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Have all the factory linkage and fuel lines. I'd have to do some digging, but could locate them if you really need a reference.
Mike - "matching numbers" carbs are available, but pricey: 1964: Front - 3645s Rear S/T - 3634s Rear A/T - 3646s 1965: Front - 3645s Rear S/T - 3924s Rear A/T - 3925s There are some other Buick AFB's which may be used, with recalibration. However, all Buick AFB's are now much more expensive than they used to be, due to some folks thinking they can be converted into Pontiac Super Duty carbs. While the Buick castings are close to the Super Duty Pontiacs, they are definitely different. Carter actually converted Chevrolet 348 AFB's into the more common SD carbs, but as is often the case, perceived truth is more important the actual truth. Carter used the castings, and changed everything else, as the Chevrolet calibrations are pretty much different from all other AFB's. The Buick calibrations are MUCH closer to Pontiac. So now the Buick cores are more expensive than a few years ago. If the throttle arms (eye candy) used by Buick are unimportant to you, some of the more common AFB's, at least currently, would be the Pontiac 3300s and 3326s. These could easily be calibrated to run very well on the Buick engine. Making the genuine AFB's work on a Buick is not all that difficult (as long as you don't try to use Chevrolet cores, which would require MAJOR machine work and calibration); it is the eye candy (making it look completely original) that costs money. Jon.
Hey, everybody; I forgot to send out a great big THANX for this information. I really appreciate you all taking the time to read and respond.
One thing to note is that on the Buick 2x4 setup...the front carb is a dumper carb. No choke or idle circuits in the front carb. The engine runs off the rear carb, on a progressive linkage till you hit a certain point and the front one opens up or dumps open. You can use 409 carbs as they used a similar setup.
Installing a dual quad Nailhead in my 31 A also. the only thing I'd rather have than this dual quad setup is a Hilborn injection setup.
When you get this thing completed would you please snap some pix of it and post on the "Best Dressed Nailhead" thread?
In the early 1980`s pep boys would have carburetors on sale. $10.00 for a two barrel and $20.00 for a 4 barrel. I have some carter's that have the center idle speed screw on the front between the idle mixture screws like the one posted above. They are not squarebores like a normal afb's but have a slight spread bore pattern to them.
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