Anybody swapping out there 4 bbl for a 2bbl?

Current gas price spikes (around here average is $3.80 a gallon).. So I decided since I plan on driving the ol' gal alot and 2 keep my foot out of it I'd swap out the 4 bbl Edelbrock for stock 2 bbl. Plus I'm really liking the simplicity and look of the 2 barrel.. definitely different. I know this is just for a season or two, but was wondering if anybody else out there is doing the same thing due to current gas situation or if I'm the only loon????

 

Ive got a large 2 bb on our truck now and have been thinking of swapping it for a small 4bb and my logic is that if you never really step on it the secondaries don't open. Comparitivly the 2 bb may be larger than the primaries on a 4bb so im not sure which would deliver better mileage.

 

It will be interesting to see how much your fuel economey changes. A 4v carb. usually cruises around on the front half. A carb. with a vacuum controled secondary should be about the same milage wise as the 2v as long as you don't mash the go pedal down all the time. Both my cars that run have v8s and 4bbl carbs. Yeah, gas is way up there, but I only drive about 2 miles to work. If I was spending a car payment a month on gas to get to work and back, I might consider buying an econo shitbox for the commute, but would still keep by other cars 4bbl. I would rather spend 20 buckson gas for an afternoon cruise for entertainment than spend it at a movie theater, or stuffing some barkeeps tip jar.

 

did it yrs ago- once i quit the need 4 speed.. but like they say, you only cruise on 2 barrels anyhow - so as long as you can keep your foot out of it it should be about the same. but who cant help but use it if you got it?

 

No I'm building a monster Olds with 2 fours. I'm getting a little long in the tooth and this may be my last great act of defiance.

 

Well that's exactly it. Who can help themselves from using the 4 barrels if you have them??? Not I.

No need to explain (other posts) how a carb works as I'm fully aware. Yes, if I have the 4 barrels I WILL use them.. you can not help themselves? This is a current "forced" saving thing since I can't seem to keep my foot out of it... I dunno. something about 4 barrels and a set of glass packs.. So we'll see.

Just a heads up.. my "daily" is a '74 Caddy with a 472 (4 barrel of course) and that I won't be swapping out.

 

maybe some one that is light on the loafers can hold back but when you are on the acceleration ramp it "petal to the metal" and it's "all the barrels" and this applies to leaving red lights too

 

A two barrel flows more CFM's than a Four on the Mains, Lock out the secondarys and you will get great gas mileage, then when if ever the prices go down you can unlock the carb and back to fun!!!

Way cheaper and will save gas................Roach.

 

Gas was over 4 dollars in 2008 in case anyone has forgotten. Its just a way for the gas companies to gouge us. Someone will raise a fit eventually and the prices will go back down, always does.

 

Destralo Roach wrote>>>Lock out the secondarys>>>

Ditto

Jack E/NJ

 

Futile.

 

Six pak!

 

4 1 barrels? Ha!.. then I could really sip.

 

On my daily 84 El Camino, I switched to a 390 Holley 4bbl. Works fine and good milage.

 

Damn ....!!!!
First time I've heard of anyone's sexual orientation defined by how much of an asshole they are leaving a stop light.
Maybe it's a Texas thang?

 

Another vote for leaving the 4bbl in place and keeping your foot in check. The smaller primaries will provide a better fuel savings over a 2 bbl, but just barely. If you really want to save gas, get a scooter and park your ride. My old 165 hp 180 mph Honda would get about 45 mpg if I kept my right wrist in check... before I crashed it.

 

My vote would be with leaving the four barrell on the car. Primarys are much smaller than the two barrel. Then dont open the secondarys.....

 

Yeah, and make sure your ignition is spot-on, and your tires are inflated.

 

I have a 2bbl on my truck. It still gets crappy gas mileage.

 

Shit, just when i've put a bigger rollercam in my dual four carbed 500" stroker someone tells me the stinkin' gasprices have gone up...

Guess I'm really screwed now, unless I only ride on the primaries I guess...

 

Maybe you just need a bigger gas tank?

 

I get better gas mileage with a 4brl vs a 2brl because the primaries are smaller. Your results may very.

 

Maybe next time I should ask the question FIRST and then make my decision. Oh well. We'll see what kind of numbers I get.

 

Back during the first "Gas Crisis" in the 70's, I decided to take the 600 vac secondary of my 289 Mustang and put the factory 2 barrel back on. I was thinking this would help mileage. Mileage went down by about 3 MPG on the highway and a similar amount around town. I ended up putting the Holley back on and it went back up.
Like has been said, the primaries are smaller on the 4 barrel.

 

I swapped out my 2 4's for 2 2's. Haven't tried it out yet, still crappy weather.
Matt

 

I think you are correct.

 

Its only money

 

A goofy looking yuppie dude pulled up next to me in his smart car,looked over at my car shaking his head. I blasted my loud gas guzzling beast in his face and left him sitting there looking like Mr Rogers on a moped at a hells angels cruze. I work hard for my $ and I like my v8 with a 4 barrel with loud obnoxious mufflers disturbing the peace so as long as I can afford it I will cruze it that way.LOL.

 

1) Would this 2X2bbl setup run smoother/crisper than a 2X4bbl setup if the 4bbls had vacuum secondaries?

2) Yes, i have switched from 4bbl to 2bbl, but not for mpg reasons; i did it because it came with the spare engine and i wanted to get "back to basics;" i like how the rochester 2G is 1955 technology and yet i can keep up with everyone else on the highway. (previous engine dropped a valve---see my other posts for more info)

So, i switched from a quadrajet to a 2G AND lost 45 cubic inches (350 to 305) and there was no increase in mpg.

Suggest to the OP to look into jetting down the carb.