1954 Vette Side Draft tuning

Did some searching and didn't find what i need, so here it goes...

My Buddy is building a '54 Chevy 210 with a '58 235(rebuilt with a mild cam, nothing too hot)
and has a '54 Vette side draft intake and side draft carbs he's planing on using.
what we can't seem to find is info on the carb set-up as far as tuning them. so i wanted to see what advice anyone can give on these and far as tuning and possibly making a "draft gauge" to set them up, OR if anyone knows where we can get a draft gauge that would work.

thanks in advance.

Chris

 

ANYONE? (just bumping this for the lunch crowd)

 

On our set-up on the Kart, we used a unisyn to make sure all 3 throttle openings were drawing the same amount of air. Then we set the idle mixture, carefully listening to the engine RPM's. Not rocket science, but be advised, the Carters are pretty sensitive to the mix adjustment. We first set it up 1 1/2 turns out from lean stumble, but that was WAY too rich. Wound up going only about 1/2 turn out.

 

cool. thanks for the input!

 

Ran a set years ago on a punched out 261. Worked ***s! Only thing I found was if the throttle shafts were worn out you couldn't get them to tune right. Set mine by ear back when I could still hear !! Use a Unisyn much easier.

 

I use and used a carb sinc tool for snowmobiles and an old radiator bottom hose shaped like and "S", so I could get it out over the fender sorta and keep the gauge parrallel and level. I also use my exhaust gas ****yzer on my old ALLEN scope to set the mix.

Those old yh's are real sensative to float level also. They will leak out of the venturi to the outside of the carb. Make sure the engine is sitting level so the carbs will have there minor degree of down drafting. The accelerator pumps are vac controlled and mechanical linkage also and they don't "squirt" exactly like a regular carb, so cold starts are a pain if the choke are not fuctioning.

Enjoy!

Brant

 

Pm me your address I have a disc wit all the tricks. I'll send ya a copy!

 

if the throttle shafts were worn out you couldn't get them to tune right

Very important - get that fixed first.

 

thanks everyone! i appreciate all the input and advice!

take care!

Chris

 

Please post some pics when your in process of doing this. i wanna see how it looks....been thinking of the same thing for years on my 54, but heard it won't fit?

 

it will fit the engine no problem. i think we will have some issues with firewall braces and trans linkage(original 3 on tree). but i will keep you posted!