Technical Vintage Hardware & Multi-carb Linkages

Because I’m relatively new to the hobby, I just kind of ***umed this was the case (e.g. hand-made linkages/arms, etc.). That’s why I was wondering what “vintage” stuff was used in the day, as the linkage I purchased from Vintage Speed seems to have too much “bling” for my taste. That being said, it appears there were plenty of parts to choose from back then from speedshops/catalogues. It bothers me just a bit to go to the trouble of trying to keep everything “vintage” correct, but then to have modern looking hardware. Of course, there are exceptions, and it’s not a contest, but for example, while rebuilding my 94s, I went to the trouble of scrounging around all the original screws/bolts to find the ones in the best condition, and then proceeded to clean/sand/buff them into better shape. Another example are the “vintage” Edmunds air cleaners I ordered. The “set screws” to attach them to the carbs are chrome Allen hex head. Those will certainly be tossed for something more subtle.

 

@Ziggster
There are a few threads here on HAMB
to look & see what was used out side of
Commercial race / Rod .
2 threads that come to mind ,might not be exact thread ***le's

Racing from 1880's
Drag cars in motion .
& there are several build threads
That have interesting thoughts from others making / using parts from what ever... When looking for Ideals expand
your search to boats , motorcycles aviation, guitars, Instruments, pluming clocks , bicycles ext.
My self grew up with just Basic tools,
Using cracks in porch to bend metal ,
Dismount tires by driving on them ..
I am sure there is many here that have
paid what they thought good $$ for a item then have to modified to make work not being direct bolt on like thought ..

 

That's the thing, people think every hot rod built in a back yard or garage looked like the cover car on a hot rod magazine or that it has too today if your building one.

We built with what we had, and honestly the ugliest and "junk yard" cars were the fastest, you knew exactly where they spent the little money they had, in the motor.

Most of those cover cars weren't cruising the street after dark looking for the next race, they were at home locked away in a trailer with a cover over it.

I'm sorry, but make no apology, to me a hot rod is just that, a fast/hot car built specifically to win the next race it comes up against with looks, style, design being an afterthought or atleast that's the way it was around here.

If it didn't run better than it looked its what was known as a "show rod" (all show, no go) or "poser" and no real car guy/hot rodder around here would be caught with either....

...

 

I would be caught with a show rod, cause none of my stuff would be considered fast.

 

Here is another early example of some progressive linkage.

 

That’s got to be one of the craziest linkage setups I’ve ever seen! Same goes for the fuel lines.
Which are the primary carbs?

 

The centers are the primary.

That’s a lot of mixed up carbs. Two 81’s (the small Strombergs) and the rest 48’s (the big Strombergs). Might be fine if the two matching were in the middles, but they aren’t.

 

Wonder how out of balance the
AFR's are between the 8 cylinders
Idle , off idle to Cruise.

 

Just to make @Moriarity happy. Haha!

 

Hello,

That set up for the 6 carbs was very popular in 1959-61. The local speed shops all had them in stock. (Malliard, Reath and Mickey Thompson) It was mostly for drag racing as it was difficult to adjust and run for the street. The center two carbs in the middle on both sides were the primaries.

We had a progressive system on our 3 carb 348 motor 58 Impala for a short while and it was not the best. The adjustments allowed full open on the center carb, but the outside two had a hard time to go to full open.

But, there are/were limitations. The sliding throttle arm goes back as far as the nut adjustment is placed. For full daily use, the center carb was set at full open. But, if one wanted the outside two carbs to come in when the center was full open, then those adjusting nuts are moved to fit. #2+#3 (this is per side)

That set up was fine for the center carbs, but the adjustment was difficult to make the outside 4 barrels come into play correctly. They did not go all the way open when the full center carb throttle was open to the maximum opening. It was difficult and different rods were used, bent and adjusted to try to get the 6 carbs adjusted correctly for the street usage.

Jnaki

But, for the drags, the center carb on each side was used as the main and the outside 4 carbs were all locked into the same action for the center two carbs. So, they all acted together. 12 barrels of throttle all at once for a quarter mile. That worked like a charm.

So, for the drags it was great with all those carbs working at the same time. But for the street, a 4 barrel running all of the time and the outside 4 carbs to kick in when needed was an adjustment nightmare.

For the SBC folks, there were plenty of dual quad set ups that also ran a four barrel all of the time, but that adjustment to make the final 4 barrels kick in was a walk in the park. It was easy to adjust and make it run as if it was a simple two barrel carb for daily driving.

Our 6 Strombergs on the 283 SBC motor was set up for full drags racing the quarter mile. So, on firing up, they all kicked in at idle. They were touchy upon movement to the starting line, but at low idle, acceptable. It was the most one could get for the SBC motor without going to Hilborn Injection. Plus, Hilborn Injection was not used as a daily driver item at the time. As this drag racing cl*** is/was for street legal and daily driving hot rods. YRMV

 

Keep the pics and info coming. This is a great thread.

 

I came across an old pic of a dual 94 carb set up that was installed in the late 50s and thought of this thread. I still have all the parts and am planning to re-use.

Carb spacing is not relevant as this type is easily adjusted with a longer rod..

 

1930 Oakland V8 Speedster replica. That’s some crazy linkage there. Haha!