Technical What year was the last year for the small footprint carbs?

Wondering what years the small base 4 barrels were produced? 3-7/8"x 3-3/4. The 4GC and the WCFB's. What was the latest they were produced?

 

65ish

 

Our carb expert will be along with reliable info, but Studebaker used them through 1962, but IIRC, GM used them on 283"s until the end of production, 1967?.

jack vines

 

I was thinking it was around 64-65....

 

To the best of my knowledge, 1974 was the last year for "square base" carburetor which was a Holley (I.H.C. 549 CID); but my data is quite sketchy after 1974.

I know the Carter changeover was done over at least a couple of years (around 1957 I believe was the latest)
The Rochester probably also had a multiyear changeover in about the same period.

Remember both the WCFB and the 4G migrated from the "square base" to the small rectangular base. If you consider the small rectangular base, then both the WCFB and 4G were discontinued after 1967.

As to the earliest year, both the WCFB and 4G debuted in 1952, as did the Stromberg. Holley was a year late to the party and debuted in 1953.

Jon

 

I thought Cadillac dual quads might have been the last small base 4 barrel in 55 or 56..or possibly the 57 Lincoln as I have a WCFB listed for a 57. I never knew any to be in 74 but I’m not a carburetor guy other than using them.

 

Thanks. I just had an early Weiand 2x4 that I needed to order some base gaskets for and I was just making sure I had the dates right.

 

Root - there are a LOT of different base gaskets for the "square base" 4-barrels. Order the base gasket to fit the carburetors you will be using; then check those for leaks at the manifold. Sometimes it is necessary to use 2 gaskets and a spacer with different gaskets top and bottom.

When choosing your carburetors, determine the base gasket for them and compare to the manifold. That will tell you if you need the spacer, or not.

What carbs are you using?

Jon

 

The stock Plymouth 318 with 2 four barrels had the small base WCFBs on it in 1957.

 

So, the reason I am buying the gasket is I am trying to make some adapters that are more attractive. I will be 3 D printing these and adapting to a later AFB base. The intake is an early Caddy Weiand 2x4. I wanted the original carbs, but finding a matching set has become a real chore and cost prohibitive.

These bases will eventually be cast in aluminum. I just want something that flows into the intake and looks like it is made for it, rather than the ones they sell now that looks like a big old turd.

I had a guy on here that was supposed to be working on these for me, but in typical fashion he flaked out and disappeared, along with my gaskets and spacer I bought for a sample. I should have figured it would end this way.

 

This is the intake in question.

 

I thought this thread was about the air cleaner wingnut that Eelco used to make in the shape of a four-toed foot.

 

The 2 matching tag ones I use are for 1953 Oldsmobiles. They also have 2 alignment pins and I’ve found universal gaskets that have them. If your only looking for base gaskets to go under your adaptors, I’ve found Ford y-block suppliers the easiest place to get them..

 

Three solid (no cutouts) gaskets that will fit that intake:

Carter 1A-111 (1/16 inch thick)
Carter 1A-121 (same gasket as Holley 8R-634) (1/32 inch thick)

Good luck with your project.

Jon

 

Thanks guys. I'll see what I can do.

 

Almost look like Holley bolt patterns....

 

They are….. 1954-56 Mercury and 55-56 Ford Holley 4000’s. …

 

I found that my Olds WCFB has smaller butterflies than the mid 50's Cad WCFB.

The Cad carb is supposedly a 2x4 carb but don't know the difference between it and a 1x4, just that the Olds carb works flawlessly on my Sharp intake but the butterflies are too large to work as is with the Cadillac carb.

 

A bit more information:

https://www.thecarburetorshop.com/Four_barrel_mounting_flanges.htm

Jon

 

Correct, the last year for small base carbs on the Cad dual quads was '56

 

I've got a pair of the original Cad 2x4 carbs. PM me if you're interested.

jack vines

 

Jon, is this a readily available part number? I need to run by the local parts house and see if they can order one. Or two in.

 

I ordered these in, hoping they would fit. They fit the AFB size. Even though it says 1960. Oh well, I needed it for the top of the adapter anyway.

 

That appears to be the wide Holley pattern.

Jon

 

I ordered another set last night that says it fits the early WCFB's. We will see. I may become a dealer for carb gaskets before this is over.

 

Root - there are a dozen or more DIFFERENT mounting gaskets that fit the early WCFB 3 3/4 x 3 7/8 mounting pattern. Most of these have exhaust cut-outs in different places.

Hopefully, you will get lucky.

Best to order by part number.

Jon

 

Jon, who stocks that part number? I looked on Oreillys, Napa and just a general google search. I was hoping to find the source prior to having to deal with the counter kid that wants to know if it is 4wd. Thanks for the help. Lord knows, I need it.

 

Just in case anyone was wondering.

I got the right gasket from a place out on the west coast called Mike's Carburetor Parts. It's in Washington State.
The were cheap enough, about $5 and the same in shipping.

Here is his link.
https://www.carburetor-parts.com/

15 NE Cascade AVE,
Chehalis, WA. 98532
US
Phone 888 689-9758
email sales@mikescarb.com

Thanks

 

So my nephew is technically savvy (which I am not) and he 3D printed me an adapter from the small base carb to the AFB pattern.

I had a guy on the hamb that was supposed to do it for me but he flaked out and disappeared, along with my gaskets and adapter. He ghosted me so….screw it, you can always trust family.

I have a question. This is the prototype and it actually fits pretty well. I noticed the Weiand intake has a built in angle to correct for the engine angle. The question is how much is this angle and should I try and compensate for this?

The idea is to cast this in aluminum eventually and polish it to match the intake.


A few pics.