On my T-Bird I have the 390 4 bl engine with the 4100 autolite carb, at this time not so good on the idle side of things and needs rebuild. Read a few articles that praise the autolite as the easiest and possibly the best 4 bl carb of it`s time. Now as of todays standards is this worth rebuilding or is there a better replacement for regular driving. The motor has had the heads redone and a little larger cam, ignition has been upgraded with petronix ignitor 3 and stock exhaust thats it. Need some opinions here .....Thanx fellas.........
Ease of tuning and reliable = Edelbrock Go fast and mess with all the time = Holley As always just my opinion ....
Ronk, Are you sure the poor idle is caused by the carb? I would first look for vacum leaks around the throttle shafts. Check all vac. hoses and pcv. And check around the intake manifold sealing surfaces. You might even check the timing. If you find leaks around the throttle shafts then a carb change might be in order,otherwise I'd rebuild what you have. Assuming you didn't find any other vac. leaks . Normal Norman
Everything I've ever read about Autolites says they're great. There's a couple outfits doing specific rebuilds for large $$$. I've played with a couple of them, haven't been able to get them to run right. If you want to drop one on and forget about, buy and Edelbrock. I haven't been able to fine tune them as much as I'd like, but as for a drop on and run, they're pretty damn close right out of the box. I prefer the adjustability of a Holley, as well as all the aftermarket support and pieces available. It's taken some learning and trial and error, but I can make them run the way I want now. Devin
If your idle issue is the only reason you feel the carburetor is defective; try reinstalling a set of points and condensor before you throw rocks at the carb. And if it does turn out to be the carb; there is absolutely nothing new that will run as well on your Ford out of the box as rebuilding the original. In the hands of really experienced tuners, some spreadbore carbs would be better, but require a change of intake manifold as well. Jon.
Ron, for something you can drop on there and forget about, try an edelbrock. Check craigslist, I bought a perfect one for my F1 off there for $50 a few months ago.
Thanx for info guys. I have gone through the entire engine and stopped any vacume leaks and replaced the vac-can. Car does run better, called the previous owner and he said the carb is bone stock untouched 1966 autolite carb that has never been off the motor. I am now going to get me one of those edelbrock carbs and rebuild my autolite this winter. Once again the Hamb has been good to me.....
I'd fix the Autolite. Neather of the others will be anymore reliable and troublefree than the Autolite if it's in good shape. They have a diaphram type powervalve (identical to Holley) that will get hard or rupture after enough years (just like Holley). I'd probably check that first and give the carb a good cleaning. Larry T BTW If it were a 4300, I'd be inclined to chunk it. I'm not a big fan.
I agree with Norman, make sure of all the supporting elements before blaming the carb. I never set point gaps, I always set the dwell, and to me is simpler to do on a point distributor, if that's what you are dealing with. Just My 2 cent's worth
Pulled the carb off, that was a bitch all in itself, Larry T, is the daily winner with the worn diaphram answer. Not too bad inside, but there was alot silt on the bowl bottoms. Dropped on an Edlebrock carb and you guys are right, damn thing ran like a new car, then I had to give it back to my neighbor. ALL the supporting elements were previously replaced or upgraded, points got booted along time ago for the Petronix ignitor 3 and matching coil, rebuilt the alt, new regulator ,starter, selinoid, battery and cables.
Carb kit is ~ $ 20 on ebay. 1 left: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_W0Q...emZ250858310509QQsspagenameZSTRKQ3aMEWNXQ3aIT You have found the problem with it, Silt in the float bowl and ruptured/cracked diaphram. -That's basically all that every goes wrong with them. There is nothing to rebuilding the carb and once done you will be good for another 40 years. Also, amongst all the 4 barrels, Nothing beats a Autolite for economy even when you put your foot into it (The 4100 is close to fuel injection in that it atomizes the fuel for a better burn) jmho
Nothing wrong with an Autolite (on a Ford). Good economy and driveability. Next choice would be an Edelbrock, but they won't work as smooth as the Autolite will. BTW, I hate Holleys! Even though I do run a few of 'em.
Went yesterday to the local hi-po shop, (K n S) for you Niagara area Hambers, and bought a Edelbrock 1406 carb. I am now a believer that something that used to be a royal pain in the ass is now that friggin easy. Dropped the carb on hooked up the vac lines on the proper ports, set the electric choke and fast idle, boom the T-bird runs like new. Thanks to all for the advice and the comments..............Ron
The Jalopy Journal
