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4 barrel carb for flathead ??

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Nixer, Feb 19, 2006.

  1. I got a buddy that is looking to put a 4 barrel intake on his merc flattie.

    My question is this..which 4 barrel carb should he use? My guess would be something smaller like a 450 cfm or so. What are your suggestions and also what company makes em that small? or were there a 4 barrel vintage carb that everyone used - like off a GM or something??

    He has the stock distributor in it.

    THanks,

    tok
     
  2. flatoz
    Joined: May 11, 2003
    Posts: 3,237

    flatoz
    Member

    from memory they were made to take the early ford 4 barrel like off a 260/289 mustang etc.

    I have never run one, and am only repeating what I have been told. but the 450 cfm sounds about right. I am guessing that you could probably get an adaptor for a later model larger cfm carb, but you wouldnt want to go too big.
     
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  3. k-member
    Joined: May 25, 2002
    Posts: 2,114

    k-member
    Member

    Got a 390 cfm Holly on mine.
     
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  4. k-member
    Joined: May 25, 2002
    Posts: 2,114

    k-member
    Member

    ...
     

    Attached Files:


  5. Holley 390 huh...

    That looks about right. Do you have an adapter plate on it?

    Do you know if there is a carb that fits the stock mounts without needing an adapter?

    tok
     
  6. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

    A few folks have successfully run a 500cfm Edelbrock (Holley & Edelbrock carbs are NOT flowed the same...)
     
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  7. k-member
    Joined: May 25, 2002
    Posts: 2,114

    k-member
    Member

    Yeah, adapter plate. Works good for the most part.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Bugman
    Joined: Nov 17, 2001
    Posts: 3,483

    Bugman
    Member

    WCFB. Most flathead 4BBl intakes I've seen have that bolt pattern already, and they're small enough that it's not over carbed. Easy to find too :)
     
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  9. 51 MERC-CT
    Joined: Apr 5, 2005
    Posts: 1,594

    51 MERC-CT
    Member

    4 Barrel Holley 390 on Offy manifold. (caution, generator mount on Offy manifold is offset 7/8" to right, looking at the front):)
     
  10. THanks guys I will let him know what to look for.

    Buggie..what/where do I find these WCFB's..what did they fit? Typical size and so forth??what about rebuilding them..I got a swap coming up that might have a few tucked away so I know what to look for.

    tok
     
  11. fatabone
    Joined: Nov 3, 2003
    Posts: 1,437

    fatabone
    Member

    I think Motor Mikey has one they are selling. It was for the earlier flatheads.
     
  12. fatabone
    Joined: Nov 3, 2003
    Posts: 1,437

    fatabone
    Member

    I was talking about a four barrel intake in case your going....Huh?
     
  13. Bugman
    Joined: Nov 17, 2001
    Posts: 3,483

    Bugman
    Member

    Carter WCFBs came on just about all GM and Mopar V8 4bbls and 2x4 setups in the mid to late 50's, and a few in the earily 60's. They are quite common, and rebuild kits are still avalible. It's a moderate rebuild, more complex than a holley, easier than a quadrajet, about the same difficulty as an AFB. Generally, they flow around 400 CFM. I've heard there are 300 CFM models as well, but can't confirm that. I was going to run a pair on my Hemi, but they dont flow nearly enough for my needs. Here's a pic, more pics can be found on e-bay(a great source for pics of random stuff:D ).
    [​IMG]
     
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  14. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 8,562

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    '53-'56 Buicks, '52-'53 Olds, '52-'56 Cadillac, all used the small pattern WCFB carb that you need. They also used Rochester 4gc carbs that would also work.
     
  15. THANKS!!! that rules.

    I will let him know about the intake and the carbs.


    tok
     
  16. Thirdyfivepickup
    Joined: Nov 5, 2002
    Posts: 6,093

    Thirdyfivepickup
    Member

    Edelbrock sells their intake to bolt any standard 4bbl square bore carb. They have them for early (#1105) and late (#1107) engines.
     
  17. Gemini EFI
    Joined: Jan 5, 2006
    Posts: 231

    Gemini EFI
    Member

    Holley 390 is perfect for all but the baddest flathead.
    Blown
     
  18. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    There were three "first generation" four barrels with this flange...Stromberg, Carter WCFB, and Rachester (4G?). My manifold came with a Rochester, which I believe I have ID'd as '52 Oldsmobile. There are fairly modern books available with some coverage of the 4g and Carters. The Stromberg is a fairly mysterious orphan. You can find tech articles on all of these, including at least one flathead install and a lot of interchange/tuning info on these earlies, in Car Craft and HRM from the early fifties.
     
  19. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 8,562

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    Yeah, the Stromberg Aeroquads are kinda cool. Apparently, they only came on '52-'54 Buicks, and Stromberg never made another 4bbl. after that. On the upside, they use the same main jets as 97s, so fine tuning the mixture is no problem.
     
  20. 4dFord/SC
    Joined: Sep 12, 2004
    Posts: 837

    4dFord/SC
    Member

    I'm using a Holley 390 on an Offy intake with a 1" adapter. The carb is mounted backwards in order to line up with the original throttle linkage, but it doesn't seem to mind:)
     
  21. fuel pump
    Joined: Nov 4, 2001
    Posts: 3,620

    fuel pump
    Member Emeritus
    from Caro,MI

    To each his own but I think a 4 barrel on a flathead looks wrong. Kinda like fake boobs on a nun. Ya just don't do it. But what do I know:confused:
     
  22. jetmek
    Joined: Jan 12, 2006
    Posts: 1,847

    jetmek
    Member

    i recently put together a 276 ci for a freind and used a 53 buick stromberg. havent run it yet but it looks cooler than a ho-hum holly
     
  23. Bugman
    Joined: Nov 17, 2001
    Posts: 3,483

    Bugman
    Member

    Anyone have a pic of the Stromberg 4bbl? I've never heard of one, much less seen one.
     
  24. Malibob
    Joined: Feb 23, 2009
    Posts: 503

    Malibob
    Member
    from Pittsburgh

    Here is mine. Actually reading up a little bit as I am trying to set it up this winter. Sorry for the crappy pic.

    [​IMG]


    Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  25. 42merc
    Joined: Dec 19, 2010
    Posts: 894

    42merc
    Member

    Malibob-- where were you eleven years ago
     
  26. Malibob
    Joined: Feb 23, 2009
    Posts: 503

    Malibob
    Member
    from Pittsburgh

    That's great- I was on my tablet looking at this and didn't see the date was from so long ago.
     
  27. chopnchaneled
    Joined: Oct 21, 2004
    Posts: 1,428

    chopnchaneled
    Member
    from Buford Ga.

    Is that the one they called a 4 jet ?
     
  28. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 6,916

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Nope, the Rochester 4G series was also known as a "4 Jet". If anyone is still interested in this, I am in the middle of evaluating different 4BBL setups on an 8BA flathead. I have manifolds from Edmunds, Sharp, and Fenton, along with a freshly rebuilt WCFB and two different rebuilt Rochester 4GC's. (I am trying to find a Stromberg, but they seem to be made out of "unobtanium".) About 20 years ago, I ran a 390 Holley adapted to an Offenhauser manifold on a 276' Merc. It ran fine and was trouble-free, but I never liked the looks or the fact that I had to run an adapter. It'll take a while but I want to see how these different setups stack up. I have heard from several people that the Fenton manifold is the best.
     
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  29. chopnchaneled
    Joined: Oct 21, 2004
    Posts: 1,428

    chopnchaneled
    Member
    from Buford Ga.

    Thanks, I would like to know also.
     
  30. vtx1800
    Joined: Oct 4, 2009
    Posts: 1,709

    vtx1800
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I'll share an interesting story about adding a four barrel to a flattie that was told to me by Max, my father in law. This would have been before 1957, Max had a 53 Ford and decided he wanted a little more umph. someone he knew had a four barrel manifold, Olds four barrel carb and the "correct Olds air cleaner" for $25. That Saturday he put it on hoping really get that old Ford flattie moving. He said you would step into it and it just lay down. I don't think he was a carb specialist so he took it off, installed the original two barrel and in a few days got his money back from another guy that thought it would be the hot set up. Later Max but a Paxton/McCollough (sp?) blower on the flat motor and it worked. It worked so well that he took it off when he traded for a brand new 57 Ford Fairlane 500 two door with a 312 and stick and overdrive and bought the right brackets to bolt the blower on his family car. He still has the blower mounts for the flat head and the Hurst shifter and tach that were in the 57. I ask him if he knows what that air cleaner would be worth today and he just laughs.
     

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