I picked up this intake manifold and carb today from a friend of mine. Let's just say the price was right.The cast iron intake is#3965577 and the carb is a Carter 4759s 625 cfm competition series AFB. You can see my "runner" '78 305 to the right. I understand these carbs aren't exactly easy to setup and would like some opinions on whether it's a good fit, or if I should go with a Holley 80457s 600 cfm unit? Keeping in mind The Holley is 3x what I paid for the Carter and intake.
Anybody? I have heard these are a real bitch to setup. The guy I got it off of will be happy to give me my money back (he's an excellent friend). I don't have a lot of experience jetting carbs,and if it is going to be a major hassle I would rather go with a Holley with vacuum secondaries, electric choke,and low maitenance. I don't mind a challenge though, if it doesn't drive me to drink!
The Performers/AFB's are usually close out of the box if the engine's specifics with in the particular of the carburetor calibration. All of these boxed performance carbs have a calibration for a specific performance level. Make sure you fit the range. The AFB/Performer is easy to jet even for a novice. he tuning manual is simple to follow. That manifold won't be exactly plug and play for your square bore pattern AFB. It is a spread bore unit for a QuardaJet. You will need a 1' transition spacer. They are at best a band-aid and kill performance due to the direction change. If it were my choice I'd buy a Performer manifold to match the Carter.
Why not bolt in on and see if it works as is? Don't fix stuff that's not broken. Anyhow, what in the world is this???????:
A quadrajet is one of the best choices for a stock or near stock small block. I don't know much about the Carter replacements, but I seem to remember that they're not too bad either. If you can't do it yourself, find some one locally that can set it up right. You won't be disappointed. The small primaries and large secondaries make for good gas mileage and performance. (BTW, I've heard that the Spreadbore Holleys are some of the worst carbs made.) Edit : Also, I made the mistake of assuming that the carb shown was a Carter spreadbore replacement. As others have said, don't mix different carb/manifold patterns, and adapters are usually performance killers.
Well ,Badshifter, we meet again. You got a little heated recently when I posted a pic of my (Cutlass) donor car. That is my" B competition coupe" replica. Kinda Model T,kinda Austin Bantam, a little bit sprint car,with a sprinkle of dragster.Designed it on a sheet of plywood.Cool ,huh? I will bolt it on,point and shoot. Thanks as always for helping out a new guy to the hobby. Your'e alright. J.T.
+1 You should be able to find either a Quadrajet to fit the manifold or a manifold to fit the Carter pretty cheap.
O.K. I see what you mean. The intake is a 1970 unit for a Q-jet. I see how it doesn't line up. The Edelbrock Performer is a match for the Carter,correct? For $130 bucks I can get a lighter intake manifold and keep the superior carb. (I paid $60 for the AFB). Thanks for helping out a guy with decent fab skills but limited gearhead knowledge. I learn by reading and asking the educated. J.T.
This guy Cliff can set you up with a Quadrajet that will run better then fuel injection.. You can either buy direct or buy his book and do it yourself... I have one of his carbs on my Pontiac 462.. It's fantastic, no choke or intake crossover heat needed... http://www.cliffshighperformance.com/
Are you.... cinder-block jackstand guy?! (if so heated only because I've lost 2 friends to cars falling on them, anyhow, enough on that) Yeah, I kinda like the idea of the design. Does it get sheet metal? And how did you make the compound curves in what looks like 1 1/2" tubing? Do a build thread on it. What's the plans for it? Besides the engine obviously.
If you are intent on using that intake manifold, a Q-jet is really the way to go. Of course a remanufactured Q-jet is gonna cost you $280-$300. 'Might be cheaper to just get a Square-bore manifold and run the Carter. I've never heard of them being "hard to set up", but in any case, a Holley isn't gonna be any easier...
" I understand these carbs aren't exactly easy to setup and would like some opinions on whether it's a good fit..." A paper cup is hard to set up if the setter is blind! Each carburetor has its own set of issues. The experience of the tuner will help to overcome the issues. That having been said: (A) As others have mentioned, a square-bore carb through an adapter on a spread-bore manifold is NOT the best choice. (B) Carter sold the 4759s for use on a highly modified 350, NOT a 307. (Opinion) for a 307 and the manifold you have, a matching Q-jet set up for the 307 is going to be VERY difficult to beat (power, driveability, and economy). Keep the 4759s for a bigger engine AND the proper intake. If you really want a Holley (your posts indicate you may prefer the Holley), I suppose one of the Holley spread-bore replacements would be an option. Jon.
The Jalopy Journal
