409 truck motor...what are my carb options?

I recently fell into a '65 409 truck motor, at a price I could not refuse. It came with two intakes: the stock 4bbl intake, and a 348 tri-power intake. I have no carbs what so ever.

I've priced 409 carbs on ebay, and I was sticker shocked. What other options do I have for carbs for this motor? Would other Carter AFBs work? Could I get adapters and run 3 Stromburgs on the 348 intake? I really don't know what CFM I need.

Note: I should say engine is going in my '53 Desoto cruiser. I am not looking to have any neck snapping power, just something to cruise down the highway with. Also, I plan to throw a powerglide behind it.

Thanks

 

3 deuces and a 4-speed..

 

So where do I get the 3-2bbls cheap?

 

for your stated purpose of just a cruiser, you might consider using standard 2G/2GC Rochesters with the middle one functional and the end ones as 'dummies'. They would be available fairly easily and inexpensively. The only issue I can think of is finding them with the side fuel inlets instead of forward facing inlets, so as to simplify fuel lines. (even 'dummy' carbs should appear to be hooked up)

On the other hand, a single 4 barrel, especiall with smaller primaries, would do the same thing and offer improved performance 'on demand' and would free you from being accused of......ahhhh..........'posing'.

Ray

 

Two Edelbrock 500's here. I would think one 600cfm (1401) would be the tits.

 

Although I'm not a big fan of them (actually I think they suck) an Edelbrock 600 carb will be a direct bolt on for your 4bbl intake and Rochester 2GC's for your tripp setup.

GM used Carter AFB's on several V-8's including Chevy and Pontiac. Edelbrock bought the rights and now builds them as the Edelbrock Performer Series carbs.

 

Depending on the bore hole size, you may have to use a funnel plate to match the bore & get butterfly clearance if you have the small bore size.

 

Edelbrock should bolt on, at least they do on the 2/4 setups. Air horn is bigger on the Edelbrock than it is on the original, but that shouldn't matter unless you're gonna run an original air cleaner ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$). And if an Edelbrock will bolt up, so will a Holley.

If you're running the truck engine the way it came out of the truck, go with the smallest carb you can find. They don't turn enough rpms to need much carb. You can build a good street engine out of a truck core, but you have to change some stuff (pistons come to mind).

 

Edelbrock is drilled for both big & small bolt patterns, Holley is big only. Which did the 409 have?

 

OK, I guess that is a standard performance intake for a 4GC instead of hipo intake for an AFB. Which makes EVERYTHING I've typed here wrong. Sorry bout that, listen to George.^^^^ Or Jack in post 12.

Or you could get a new Edelbrock intake that would work with AFBs/Holleys.

 

If you want to go resto, I've got a couple of OEM Rochester 4GCs off 409"s and I'll make you a hamber deal on one.

Also got a couple of Mallory distributors, one with tach drive and one with the coupler but missing the gear on the shaft.

jack vines

 

I'm not looking for #s matching, and at this point its just going to be run as a stock truck engine. Driveability is all I am looking to get out of this, the car is a mild custom not a hot rod. Like I said I got the engine CHEAP

Jack, I got this Mallory dual point dist with the engine package. Can you tell by the picture if its right for a 348-409?

 

I have a Q-jet that came off a 396 sitting on my shelf. Is that an option?

 

Looks like just a 4GC or maybe an AFB on an adapter... couldn't you whip up a plate that would serve as an adapter to run the Edelbrock repro AFB?

Otherwise, the 3-2 intake will be cheaper to run because Rochester 2GCs are damn near worthless, run two dummies as suggested or see if you can either find two with no choke or take the choke off.

But, it should have plenty of power with just the 2 on it, my old Pontiac with the 389 has a 2GC and it was fun to drive.

 

Q-Jets were the spread bore, won't bolt to your manifold. It looks like the AFB is the one, buy eyeball up a square-bore Holley anyway.

Aftermarket AFBs (even Carter would re-pop them late into the '70s) should be around. Even a good used one is a good way to go if you don't mind rebuilding it.

Bob

 

I can't imagine what would be wrong with bolting on a 340 hp 4GC.
Damn good carb.

 

forget the 3 carbs, they look great, that's where it ends. A 4 bbl intake from a 340 HP 409 will match your heads. Get a 600 cfm AFB, bolts right on. 2 1/2 " exhaust manifolds. A good car single point distributor and a hi po 348 cam(GM #3755946) Crane made a blueprint version. This works and you will be very pleased with the results. I did this for less than $500 a few years ago

 

2GC Rochesters thay will cost less than Stromburgs

 

You can buy an Edelbrock Performer Series carb (as I mentioned before same as AFB) for $125.00 and down all over Craigslist and probably the H.A.M.B.

 

A carter AFb will bolt up and if you take the 409 off of your search you will find that a carter AFB is not a pricey carb at all. There was one in the class ads recently for 60 bucks.

 

Rochester made a 4-G (with manual choke) for a 345 CID that was a 625 CFM. Should work well on the 409.

Jon.

 

Joe, a simple swap that will also add a little bit of performance is to go with a new Edelbrock intake and carb. Thats exactly what i did to the 409 that was in the 63 i bought from you.
It's absolutely as reliable as my 02 GMC and has plenty of grunt. I dropped that motor in my 62 for now and it's been driven daily all summer.
As was mentioned, the carbs are plentiful in for sale adds too. I picked up a Edelbrock 650 AVS for 150 on here a while ago..

Just a thought, and honestly about as simple as it gets.

Tony

 

I just found a 650cfm Edelbrock on craigslist for $30, just waiting for the guy to call me back. Ad says good condition but "may need a rebuild" haha. I hope he calls...

 

So what your saying is that you have a 340hp carb sitting around somewhere?

 

There ya' go!

 

Dual Quads is the rule in a 409

 

He only has 2 intake manifolds and neither of them are dual quad!

Are you gonna give him one? I'm sure he'll take your advice if you gave him a dual quad intake.

 

I do, but it's all rebuilt on the original intake and will be going back on the 09 when it go's back home between the rails on the 63 so unfortunately i can't let that one go.
Even got one of them there GM dual quad deal's with the original carbs too

Anyhoo, I know i have another early Rochester sitting around here too though. It will need to be rebuilt. It was on a 64 Impala and started to flood over so we took it off rather than rebuild.
My honest advice is still to get a later Edelbrock and intake, BUT, if you're interested i will try and find the Rochester i mentioned.

Tony