Best Carb for SB Ford

Blue68Coupe · 05-21-2007, 06:01 PM

So I am about to throw my holley out the window and I was wondering what people think are the best carbs for a Small Block Ford. My engine builder friend like Demons, any thoughts?

Information
1968 ford 289
Bored .30
Edelbrock RPM intake
Holley 650
Mild Cam, Poly pistons
Long tube headers to flowmasters
Power steering
Power brakes

Thanks

mustangII460 · 05-21-2007, 07:53 PM

Between a 600 and 650 cfm.

I would go with Vacum secondaries if your running a automatic.

bmxmon · 05-22-2007, 04:08 AM

What Holley are you running? Thats what I have and love it, 4160 style.

Blue68Coupe · 05-22-2007, 10:44 AM

Its an 1850 and the red lever on the choke sticks regularly even after cleaning it several times and the mixture screws have no effect even though it idles as low as 400 RPM. I also have smoke out the exhaust. The carb has been rebuilt and still operates like crap.

I have just had enough and am looking to replace it.

okiedragster · 05-23-2007, 08:32 AM

i have a 4300 motorcraft carb on my cleveland now and it does a excellent job..i had to do some tuning on it at first, i had to drill the jets a lil bigger size but i kinda figured that goin in, but once i got that done its been runnin like a champ...oh and it howls just like and ole quad...there is also a 4350 spreadbore...heres a link to show what the 4300 looks like...good luck...
http://www.carburetor.ca/carbs/HTML/...spreadbore.jpg

heres the spreadbore 4350
http://www.drbob.tqhosting.com/tech/..._compared.html

Rev · 05-25-2007, 03:53 PM

I use a Road Demon 625 CFM, but I used to use a Holley 600 CFM and it worked well.I would probably buy another Holley.

Suprisingly, the worst problem I had with the Road Demon was with the electric choke. It was Taiwanese junk and stuck the carb 3/4 open on the first run right out of the box. I had checked it carefully on installation for free function, and everything worked as it should.

Having that carb stick almost wide open was a harrowing experience. I did modify the linkage to work reliably and have not had problems since then. When I notified Demon about the problem they said only that they would pass that on to their engineering staff (big deal?).

My opinion is that it's still tough to beat a Holley.

Rev

Blue68Coupe · 05-29-2007, 09:14 AM

Well I bolted on a new 525 Road Demon and I still have the same problem. I don't get it. Since my rebuild I get smoke out the exhaust. All cylinders report 150 lbs of pressure. The builder said he had no smoke after the rebuild but used his own carb. It looks and smells like oil but I also have no loss in oil. I just don't get it. I am at a loss.

Rev · 05-29-2007, 01:37 PM

If you are running an auto tranny, you could have a bad diaphram in the vacuum modulator. That will allow AT fluid to be sucked into the intake and put out blue smoke with no loss of engine oil. There would be a loss of trans. fluid though. Just a possibility.

Rev

Phillyfanfrombirth · 08-19-2007, 12:12 AM

The best setup on a relatively stock engine (302 .030 over, stock cam and pistons... headers and dual plane intake) I had was a Holley 600 with vacuum secondaries and I swapped the springs on the secondaries using the lightest spring in the Holley kit... Smooth from idle to 5000 with the pedal planted.

goodyear1984 · 09-02-2007, 10:22 AM

yea i would check the tranny modulator , just pull the vaccun line off it and see if u see tranny oil..i had that prob with my 61 galaxie

05-21-2007, 06:01 PM	#1
Blue68Coupe 68 Coupe 289 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North carolina Posts: 44	Best Carb for SB Ford So I am about to throw my holley out the window and I was wondering what people think are the best carbs for a Small Block Ford. My engine builder friend like Demons, any thoughts? Information 1968 ford 289 Bored .30 Edelbrock RPM intake Holley 650 Mild Cam, Poly pistons Long tube headers to flowmasters Power steering Power brakes Thanks __________________

05-21-2007, 07:53 PM	#2
mustangII460 Factoy Five Roadster Join Date: May 2000 Location: Sevier Co,Tennessee Posts: 1,681	Re: Best Carb for SB Ford Between a 600 and 650 cfm. I would go with Vacum secondaries if your running a automatic. __________________ Frank

05-22-2007, 04:08 AM	#3
bmxmon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 950	Re: Best Carb for SB Ford What Holley are you running? Thats what I have and love it, 4160 style. __________________ Alex

05-22-2007, 10:44 AM	#4
Blue68Coupe 68 Coupe 289 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North carolina Posts: 44	Re: Best Carb for SB Ford Its an 1850 and the red lever on the choke sticks regularly even after cleaning it several times and the mixture screws have no effect even though it idles as low as 400 RPM. I also have smoke out the exhaust. The carb has been rebuilt and still operates like crap. I have just had enough and am looking to replace it. __________________

05-23-2007, 08:32 AM	#5
okiedragster Drag Racer and Mach1 Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: southern oklahoma Posts: 85	Re: Best Carb for SB Ford i have a 4300 motorcraft carb on my cleveland now and it does a excellent job..i had to do some tuning on it at first, i had to drill the jets a lil bigger size but i kinda figured that goin in, but once i got that done its been runnin like a champ...oh and it howls just like and ole quad...there is also a 4350 spreadbore...heres a link to show what the 4300 looks like...good luck... http://www.carburetor.ca/carbs/HTML/...spreadbore.jpg heres the spreadbore 4350 http://www.drbob.tqhosting.com/tech/..._compared.html __________________ -FOR SALE- SUPER COMP DRAGSTER My 71 Mach 1

05-25-2007, 03:53 PM	#6
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	Re: Best Carb for SB Ford I use a Road Demon 625 CFM, but I used to use a Holley 600 CFM and it worked well.I would probably buy another Holley. Suprisingly, the worst problem I had with the Road Demon was with the electric choke. It was Taiwanese junk and stuck the carb 3/4 open on the first run right out of the box. I had checked it carefully on installation for free function, and everything worked as it should. Having that carb stick almost wide open was a harrowing experience. I did modify the linkage to work reliably and have not had problems since then. When I notified Demon about the problem they said only that they would pass that on to their engineering staff (big deal?). My opinion is that it's still tough to beat a Holley. Rev __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe Last edited by Rev; 05-25-2007 at 04:14 PM..

05-29-2007, 09:14 AM	#7
Blue68Coupe 68 Coupe 289 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North carolina Posts: 44	Re: Best Carb for SB Ford Well I bolted on a new 525 Road Demon and I still have the same problem. I don't get it. Since my rebuild I get smoke out the exhaust. All cylinders report 150 lbs of pressure. The builder said he had no smoke after the rebuild but used his own carb. It looks and smells like oil but I also have no loss in oil. I just don't get it. I am at a loss. __________________

05-29-2007, 01:37 PM	#8
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	Re: Best Carb for SB Ford If you are running an auto tranny, you could have a bad diaphram in the vacuum modulator. That will allow AT fluid to be sucked into the intake and put out blue smoke with no loss of engine oil. There would be a loss of trans. fluid though. Just a possibility. Rev __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe

08-19-2007, 12:12 AM	#9
Phillyfanfrombirth Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Central PA Posts: 358	Re: Best Carb for SB Ford The best setup on a relatively stock engine (302 .030 over, stock cam and pistons... headers and dual plane intake) I had was a Holley 600 with vacuum secondaries and I swapped the springs on the secondaries using the lightest spring in the Holley kit... Smooth from idle to 5000 with the pedal planted.

09-02-2007, 10:22 AM	#10
goodyear1984 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: new york Posts: 482	Re: Best Carb for SB Ford yea i would check the tranny modulator , just pull the vaccun line off it and see if u see tranny oil..i had that prob with my 61 galaxie __________________ 347 stroker all forged,arp everything,stud mains w/girdle,7qt pan,full roller, custom cam, aluminum heads swirl valves 5 angle valve job.quick fuel 750,areomotive pump,cobras w/nitto drags,and m/t et drags for the track, ford racing 373 gears,centerforce clutch,tko500,underdrive pulleys,bassani x-pipe,flowmasters ^best et so far 11.6 1.61 60ft coming soon 9sec et's 1992 mustang gt 2001 gmc 1500 4x4 78 century boat 92 skidoo

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