Carter WCFB 4 BBL Identification

Hey guys ... I have a Carter WCFB I am trying to ID (numbers to reference for ordering parts) and is this a good size carb for my engine. I would also be interested in hearing opinions on a good replacement if I decide to get a new carb. The engine is a 1955 Plymouth 259. The carburetor has no tag.

The cast Number on the horn is messed up, the 6- is where it should be but the important numbers that should be beside of it is stamped above it and you can only partially read it. Looking at the numbers on Mike's Carburetor Parts it looks like it could only be a 6-1052s. Carb numbers 2283s ...



But under their (Mike's) listing for Plymouth it says Plymouth is cast 1117 with the Carburetor Numbers 2302s, 2303s

This ebay listing states 1955 Plymouth P27 V8 models Plaza, Belvedere, & Savoy with Carter WCFB 4 barrel carburetor #'s 2253S. I suppose this could be a typo and should be 2283s?

The Carburetor Shop list a 1955 Plymouth Carter WCFB 2725. You can see from all of the numbers my confusion!

Ive seen a bunch online but mine has the vacuum secondaries, the ones I have seen do not. Can anyone give me some solid info for ordering parts?

 

Give carbking a pm here on the board.

 

As far as size, single WCFBs were used on 270 through 392....

 

Thanks ...... visor I will do that ... George thanks, I am sticking with the 4 bbl I do not want to change the intake. When I said size I should have been clear ... like 600 cfm ...would anything bigger be too much for this engine.

I would also like to know what new carbs will bolt right up?

 

Have never seen reliable CFM ratings on them. Less than 500 CFM is the usuall comment. None of the new ones will bolt up w/o something being done. The Edelbrocks have the same bolt pattern, but the bore wholes are too small. On Chr hemi intakes you can open the holes up, but the linkage may hit the intake. There is an Offy spacer plate that will squeeze down to match the bore holes & give linkage clearance, or open up the bore holes & use a modern spacer to get better breathing. Using one formula you need only 414 CFM. Carter used to make a 400 AFB. Holley makes a 390, but will take an adaptor to bolt it on.

 

Thanks George ... this helps.

 

Better yet, DON'T PM carbking, call him!

I am a computer dinosaur, and don't use PM's. Emails are looked at on Saturday evening.

573-392-7378 (9-4 Mon-Wed central time).

Jon.

 

This will take you from the small base WCFB to a modern Edelbrock, Carter, or Holley.

 

Thanks! This is also good information, I may have to go this route.So if I got this adapter and wanted to order a carb like a Holey and the parts guy asks what car or engine ... what do I tell them?

I just ordered a kit for my WCFB, we will see how that goes.

 

Thanks Jon ... I may be looking for some parts!

 

WCFB is a good runner, but an AFB or Edelbrock will be a lot easier to find a kit for. If you want the stock look, the WCFB is the way to go, though.

 

I agree ... I am surprised this carb would run the engine at all once I took it apart! I am going to try and revive it, if I cant then I will go the adapter route.

Is anyone running a WCFB with the vacuum secondaries like mine .. I have looked all over the web and have not spotted one like this yet.

 

Carbking is the king. I have some obsevations. I have only seen the vac secondaries on the bigger Chrysler hemi's and the 56 Mercurys. The Mercurys were the only ones with the small bases. I think that is what you have. Great carb!

 

You could order one from Jegs or Summit & avoid the Q! We're talking a generic Holley or Edelbrock, not an OEM carb.

 

I am running a 54 Buick carb on my roadster. similar carb but with velocity secondaries. I have all the stock choke stuff on it to use the fast idle cam. I added a lever so it is a manual choke.

 

Ran a WCFB on my flathead ford for several years. It was off of a 56 Chrysler product. Great carb with vacuum secondary's.

 

Thanks for all of the replies guys!

 

I assume since you posted this .. you sell them? I just came from your site and did not see them listed.

 

If you are going to play the adapter game, and go newer; then either the 400 CFM Carter AFB (part numbers 9400s or 9410s) or the Holley 390 (don't know part number) is what you want.

Personally, I would find a different WCFB with the airvalve secondary rather than the the vacuum such as the one you pictured.

Jon.

 

Good info Jon, thanks! My issue with the WCFB ... I don't know which ones will fit. I will probably end up going the adapter route. I already purchased a kit for the one I have so I am going to play with it a while until I decide what to do. I got the kit based on the engine... We will see.

 

What is probably the major issue with your existing carburetor will not be addressed by the rebuilding kit. That is the secondary diaphragm.

Depending on your point of view, the secondary diaphragm is made from a material called unobtainium or verypricium. They also do not function as well as the Carters with the auxiliary airvalve secondary. The diaphragm carbs are probably best left for the guys/gals doing number matching restorations.

Jon.

 

Jon that seems to be the case with my engine as well (55 Poly)! I see it all going away in the future. As cool as it may be I'm not sure it is worth the headache! Now if I had plenty of money to throw at it .....

In the mean time I get to learn a bit about carbs and hope it runs when I am done, at least long enough for me to save up for a new carb set up.

Thanks for all of your input!

BTW look what I found in the diaphragm! It cleaned up nice and the rubber is good.