a friend brought a t-bucket over with this carb on a 355 melling mtc-1 cam (same as edelbrock performer 204 @ 050 int 214 @050 ex) and homemade zoomies. it loped and lean missed. I checked everything no vac leaks,elec issues,ect. to make a long story short this carb is just to lean to run with these headers. i put his carb on my old chevy truck 350,headers,same cam,ect, it idled fine! I put a 750 vac sec. holley (stock cal) on his car it idled fine and ran pretty good. to make sure I put my 1406 on his bucket,guess what same as his 1406,idled to lean and lean missed this carb must just be to lean for these big tube 3/4 inch zoomies,not best for this motor any way! i think he needs 5/8 headers with collectors to run this carb ,what do you all think?
that's why you have to tune them.... it's not the carb being bad, it's that you have to tune the carb to the engine, they don't just work out of the box. start here... http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/misc/tech_center/install/carb_faq.shtml and here... http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/misc/tech_center/install/carb_faq.shtml you should be able to richen up the carb to work with the headers no problem, just some tweaking and metering rods... .
the edelbrock 1406 is jetted leaner for mileage. buy a calibration kit for it ( about $50) and follow the instructions in the manual that came with the carb ( the kit does not come with it) and richen it up the kit you need for your carb is edelbrock # 1487......you can get them from Napa
thanks I am not used to those edelbrocks,I had my 1st one on my truck, Ill try the calibration kit,thanks cjc
I think I wouldn't mess with changing the headers...just recalibrate the carb a little. I have the same carb on my mild 350 streetrod cruiser....and the same situation....too lean....it seems well known (I now learn) that the 1406 600 cfm Edelbrock is set for fuel economy....not performance. .....and I just wrote into here over the weekend and got a ton of great advise....look on the HAMB and click in hillcogolfer on the search and my thread will come up...with lots of good stuff to do to it. I do have headers but not zoomies....got plenty of vaccum...so all I'm gonna do is change out some metering rods and maybe power piston springs....I don't have enough engine to need a jet change too.
How far out are your idle screws? 2-3 1/2 turns max should do it. I have had some issues with Performer AFB's idle circuits not work properly. but for the most part they are reliable. Take the idle screws out and blast the jets with carb cleaner through the red tube The 1406 has a liberal idle fuel circuit and should accommodate your setup easily. What is your initial timing? Idle manifold pressure? I would look at your tune up before screwing with the headers. They will make no differance at idle. 214 @ .050 is a small cam and should idle fairly smooth even at 110 lobe centers but you did not mention that.
Edelbrock makes a good carb and you just need to dial it in. Like everyone else said - they are jetted for economy and not every engine will take the same setup. I ran my 1406 on the street and on the weekends at the track on a mild small block and it worked great once I spent a little time dialing it in. How much timing are you running?
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