I will keep everyone posted as I progress. I hope to have the engine down in in a week or so depending on my time line. I will post more pictures then I have the valve cover and side covers back from the chrome guy they will be added after installation to avoid damage. I just bought some stuff from Rickybop also that the engine will feature: A dual carb manifold and misc other pieces. He actually suggested I join this board and gave me a pretty good deal on the intake and exhaust set up along with 2 50's model 320's and a 42 complete engine! Always good to have spare parts ya know! What do you guys think for multiple carbs, I have been looking at the speedway version of the stromberg, but the real thing is hard to beat. the speedway has neat stuff like deleted idle circuits on secondary carbs, and i beleive the buick set up featured a progressive style linkage that opened the back carb fully not in sync equally. Any input here??? Dave
Dave, To keep it looking authentic, go with the compound intake/exhaust maniflolds (dual carb) Buick came out with in 1940-41. You can use Carter WCDs, Stromberg-Aeroquips, 94s, or 97s. Run them straight up, and with the correct bits even retain the throttle activated starter feature.
I always figured on a big straight 8 you would want idle circuits front and rear. The deleted idle circuits are for things like a 6-pack on a V8 where you can idle on the center carb and still get good fuel distribution. And you'd want to make sure that both front and rear carb was set the same.
Agreed, by straight up I meant synchronized, not progressive... One could get modernized and adapt HEI, and EFI throttle bodies to the compound intake...
I saw somewhere that someone took the entire EFI setup, wires, computer, throttle body (adapted to original manifold), drilled ports for injectors, etc from a newer V-6 and put them in a 60s Mopar slant 6. It started the first time and ran great. So you could do the same thing, starting with a V-8 of the right vintage (guessing mid90s). But you would lose SO much cool factor that I wouldn't recommend it. Twin carbs are where it's at.
ok this is perfect! posts like these are what i need to help make the decisions I have a 289 i built years ago witha pair of 1850 holleys, i know holleys very well and they have their idle circuits. I know nothing about the vintage carburetors I think the manifold has a pair of Aeroquip strombergs I should see if I can get them rebuilt Thanks for all of the great advice Dave
we spent the whole weekend moving! I plan to get the engine to the house and sitting in the chassis, I will install the factory single carb intake and exhaust and get her running in the very near future. I sometimes am a turtle with the projects. As soon as she is in the chassis I wil post some pictures!! Thanks for the support Dave
Amazing project, please post more pictures as you go and let us know if you need anything Pat California Custom Coach www.cccspeedster.com
WOW Pat!! I think my body is actually a CCC but not sure. Maybe a southeastern replicas. How is your hood made? I have a lead on a fiberglass top section, aluminum side panels. I am going for the side pipes on the drivers side to be fully functional and the passenger to be as in the brochure onyour page just like the original. Your pipes look as if they are functional are they? I am finding the hood is a diffiuclt piece of this project for my car. The front end on mine is a single piece very different from others I have seen. Thanks again guys. Hoping to get the engine out to the house and sitting in place possibly as son as the weekend!!!!! I will let you know. TONS going on with me! Dave
Hey all got an update: Moved the engine to the house and installed he in the chassis today! I will post pictures possibly as early as tomorrow We needed to remove the body so we have some pictures of the engine in the chassis, and we re installed the body Man it is exciting I hope to light a fire in it in the next week or so and have it running. Clutch linkage and steering is next on the list Thanks Dave
Looking good - I think you´ll need some seriously large diameter tyres to fill the wheel arches. Those motors never fail to impress.
sorry I have 4 15 inch 1953 chrysler imperial "snow tire" rims (pained spoke steel) which are NOS! These are also Kelsey Hayes Rims so the factory Auburn Hub caps should drop in! I am thinking 750 15 But n a white wall radial. so I can still drive it normally but it should be about 30 inches tall. Again thanks for the compliments I too love those old straight 8 buicks Dave
Did you know the Buick straight eight came with a 4 barrel carb? 1952 and 53 only so rather rare, but there should be one around someplace for your car. They used the Carter WCFB but you could adapt a more modern carb. And it would all look stock if that is the look you are going for.
I know i have many oiptinons with induction and exhaust. I REALLY like the modern Holley carbs, I know them pretty well and can build them inexpensivley. I bought a set of intake and exhaust flanges from Hells Gate Hot rods (He actually offers the 320 because of this project!!) So I plan to make the side pipes functional, I was thinking eight 1.500 inch tubes merging using a "Y" with an exit of 1.750 in each position I can tie the four "Y" ports out through the hood and fender, then come together with a collector under the chassis. I can either use a 2.500 or 3.00 single exhaust, I feel the 2.500 should be fine. As for the intake I have two Holley 2300 carbs from a 1969 international scout these are 100% identical I have been combing ebay for the match to the unit I had on the shelf. This is a small carburetor 225 cfm really tiny venturi size. I plan build twin manifolds with a balance tube between the two any input here? Dave
Had a conversation with Jon Hardgrove this am regarding multiple carb setup on my Buick 263. I'm using the early 40s Buick compound carb setup with (dual carbs on intake manifold and split exhaust manifolds w/heat risers). He recommended I use a matched set of 1946-53 Carter WCD or Zenith-Stromberg carbs which were OEM on these engines in the single carb mode. He had a preference for the Carters due to their metering rod technology. Jon stated begin with a matched pair setup with the factory jets and metering rod configuration and go from there. If you go with a Buick 4bbl carb intake on your 320, the WCFB or the Rochester 4GC was used on those.
I bought a bunch of Buick 320 stuff from Ricky Bob on this board I have to go pick this up but there is a dual carb intake and a pair of mainfolds for the 320 out there I was also thinking ofcthis option It would look as if it came that way, with this option. Thanks Dave
I think you want to get about 500 cfm minimum on your carbs. Old rule of thumb is cubic inches times two, a bit more for high revving engines, less for slower spinning motors like your 8. But I vote for twin carbs of some sort, start with what you have & look for something better or cooler later.
Acutall that is why I have been combing the internet for a match to this carb, now I have two! CFM rating should be about 450 combined. These have a fully tunable power valve easily changed jets, and can build them for about 20 bucks I will keep all posted I did end up finding a converted distributor (dual points) for the straight 8 buick last month its an old conversion just never ran rebuilt and set on the shelf. Thanks Dave
yes I do!! I just finished a rebuid job on a pair of holley 2 barrels from an international scout! I chose Holleys because I COMPLETELY understand them! These are very small CFM 225 i believe! I also bought an original Mallory distributor and sent it out to Bubbas Hot rod shop he totally tuned and set it up for my vehicle and carburetion! I would recomend his work to anyone! I ended up using the Napa Distributor cap and rotor I hope to pst some pictures tomorrow of the carbs and the distributor! BTW also bought an aluminum 32 ford radiator for a SBC need to modify it a bit but after a little TIG work on a neck relocation it should fit like a glove! The ONLY thing is the straight 8 with the radiator believe it or ot will be a VERY tight fit but it will fit and be sweet I hope to have it runnign shortly Maybe I can post a video link of it running once it finally is! Thanks for the support You guys are an awesome support group! Hey any one have any ideas for custom straight 8 intakes? Thanks Dave
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