Technical Carb recommendations for F4B on Ford 260

Hello,

The Hersey fall meet was good to me this year. One of the scores was a pristine edelbrock F4B intake. Came off of a LA Tiger engine. Price was right so I sprung for it. Plan is to put it on my Falcon Sprint. Could you share some recommendations on a carb set up for this engine/intake? My engine is a fully rebuilt stock early 260(has a stock 302 cam, dual exhaust and a T-5) that was original to my 63 sprint. For the gurus out there, it has the smaller valves that is more like a 221 than a 289 valve. It’s a Nov62 cast block. So the engine is totally new with at 2,000 on it. I have a rebuilt 2100 auto lite that is a fantastic little carb but the engine wants more and the F4b is what I think is the quintessential intake for the pre-65 look I am sticking to. Anyone have recommendations on new carbs (manual choke holly or edelbrock that are vintage looking) and what cfm to go with for a stock 260? Also, 1” spacer edelbrock or stick with ford 4 barrel spacer? I want a happy engine with some pick up when I want it. Don’t want it to be over carbureted and fall on its face. I will also put the 64-65 valve covers and a pertronix on it while I am messing around in there. Input is welcome, current set up is below. Thanks!

 

I would put a 450 cfm Edelbrock on it.

 

You won’t get the eyewash of a Holley or Edelbrock but I’d use an Autolite 4100, they came with different sized venturis, look for a small one.

 

I was hoping for a pic of the intake!

 

Be very careful, that manifold is rather tall so spacers might not be practical. I agree with Fordors on the Autolite 4100, it is what they used on the 4 barrel Comets, Fairlanes, and Mustangs and look original. Very reliable carburetor (just like your 2100) and vacuum secondary's. I would use a 4 hole spacer like factory if it will fit. Very nice Sprint by the way!

 

I would suggest looking at a Summit 500cfm. They were originally made by Holley (still are for Summit) and a copy of the Autolite. Many Ford owners like them. Many Holley parts fit in them. They do not leak. They also have a 600 and 700.

 

Lol I haven’t taken pictures of that, just took pictures of the T roadster I picked up

 

Ok, yea I thought of sticking with original 4100. The 2100 was easy enough to rebuild. I just cooked it in the ultrasonic and put it back together… pretty easy

 

Yea, height is something I want to be careful with. Do the bigger spacers help with HP or is it minimal compared to the oem spacer? Thanks, it’s a fun car!

 

Great feedback, what kind of cfm should I shoot for? Around 500? What cfm were the 4100 auto lites out of curiosity? The guy I bought the intake from said 600 but I am wondering if that is too high. I think the LA tigers were hotter engines than my 260.

 

The original K motor 271HP 289 used a 470cfm autolite 4100, when Shelby got hold of them he used an intake very much like your F4B with a 600 Holley and try-Y headers and got 306HP from it. I think the Autolite 470cfm units were the same as the 390 ones from the Thunderbird and Galaxies. There were smaller 4100's used on 289 comet Cyclones and 225HP Mustangs. The venturi size is cast into the side of the bowl in a circle. I think (not sure) the 289 units were a 1.07" while the 390 units were 1.12". I have a T Bird 390 carb from a 1962, I could look if you need. I would also consider selling it with another parts carb that I have.

 

Ford ran Falcons in European rally races in 63 & 64, they had 260's with solid lifter cams and Autolite 4100 4 barrels. They performed very respectable for what they were and still run in the vintage cl***es in Brittan today.
https://www.motorpunk.co.uk/articles/monte-carlos-unlikeliest-rally-car-ford-falcon-sprint/

 

I agree on the 4100 Autolite, but if you want new, I would use one of the small Summit brand carbs. I just looked and the 500 cfm model is $395. It’s got electric choke and annular discharge boosters. Your Autolite 2100 and the 4100 both have annular boosters too. The 2100’s run so sweet for a two barrel and I like annular boosters.

 

Run me off of here ! Here’s my take on it , my 32 has a 302 roller motor . With Motorsports intake , which is a twin to an F4B . No spacer is needed . If you think you need one , help me understand why . I’m honest here , maybe I’m missing a helpful fact . On the carb , find 4180 series Holley from mid 80s Mustang or Pickup . They are annular discharge , and absolutely the smoothest responding carb I have ever owned . Before condemning me , give it some thinking and try it .

 

My off topic high school 289 225 hp Mustang got slower when I “upgraded” from the factory installed 4100 Autolite to 600 cfm Holley 1850 carb.

Stay with the 4100. It’s a better match with a stock(ish) cam on a small engine.

 

Put the 2100 carb on the manifold, your making 130hp on a good day.

 

That’s a great idea! I forgot about those carbs, I believe they were also used on 351 and 460 in trucks and vans.

 

a 4100 autolite would probably be your best bet. For smaller cubic inch engines and a budget carb I have had great success with a Carter Afb #4331. It was originally on mid 60's 340 Buick and has 4 small ****erflies. I have been told they are around 470 to 500 cfm. I have one to put on the 283 in my 39 this winter. They are almost always on Ebay for around 100 buck for a real nice core to rebuild.

 

I chose a Summit 500CFM over a 4100. I know the Summit is ugly and I'm not too thrilled with the double pumper style fuel inlet. I may use hoses and banjos...I cross that bridge when I get to it.
The Summit is basically a modern 4100.
I have a 4100 but it's for a 352 Galaxie, not a small block. Most of the 4100s you will find are for FEs. Now the Mustang restorers have cornered the market on the smaller 4100s.
A $1000 + for a 289 4100 is a big pill to swallow. Paying a premium for a questionable core small 4100 that needs rebuilt with questionable parts was just too much for me.
Building up a FE 4100 although it might work OK is....
The small "Period" Holley was sky high too.
I could not justify it and I went with the new Summit.
We'll see how it works out.
Another option that may be a consideration it the 2100 on the new intake with an adapter.
Still another is the 500 CFM Holley 2300 2bbl on an adapter.

 

In the event that a 4331S isn't available, I've noticed that several of the late '50s to mid '60s Mopar AFBs have the same four small throttle plate setup.

 

If you want the math and plan to turn the engine to 5 grand, it will require 376 cfm.

 

I’d like it better if it wasn’t so shiny. A gl*** bowl AC style filter and a nice 5/16” steel fuel line with fillings and no rubber hose so it looks stock also helps. His 2100 carb air cleaner will fit right on also if he chooses any 4100, Holley, or Summit. Early AFB’s have a smaller air cleaner air horn diameter.

 

I’m in the smaller 4100 crowd!






Bones

 

I happen to have one (4100) sitting in my garage for 25 years . Want it ?

 

For those contemplating a smaller AFB, this link might help:

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

I like the 4100's, but there is more printed do***entation, more folks with "know-how" and a LOT more parts availability for the Carter AFB's (and before someone suggests it, the new imitation AFB parts might PHYSICALLY interchange, but PROBABLY will not FUNCTIONALLY interchange with the original Carters). Exceptions to this might be the low-step jets.

Jon

 

Thanks for the reply’s! Sorry for my late responses, I am detained at work meetings this week dissecting a new computer program… I find myself thinking about this carb topic instead haha
so yes, I think I am going towards the 4100. I think you guys convinced me that it’s the right fit for the car. I never knew about the smaller Venturi sizes and certainly will be on the look out for that. Regarding the spacer, I thought I needed one because my stock set up had one. It actually has the heater hose p*** through. I figured I needed something between the intake and carb, but Dave made a good point, this intake is a high rise… has a spacer built in. What was the point of the heater hose p*** through anyway? Cold weather operation? I know nosford and Dave mentioned they have carbs, thanks for the offer, let me think some more and I will reach out!

 

You have to have that spacer or some type of equivalent. The 4100 is hollow based and it must use some type of thick spacer, or you will have a m***ive vacuum leak. A standard gasket is not enough.

 

A picture

Mike

 

Been running a 4100 on my 260 for 300,000 miles now. No issues

 

Does this help??