Any one tried 3x2's on modified flathead and then tried a 4 Bbl. or vice-versa? I'm currently running 3x2 (97,s) with progressive linkage,276 cu in.,Isky Max 1,block work,425 Offy heads and Mallory elec. ign. with 5 spd.Performance and mileage is "super"in my 32 Hi-boy.Performance and fuel mileage pro,s and con,s.appreciated. Would like easier tuneability and PCV capability without loss of performance and mileage(20-21.5) at 70mph.
You want your cake & eat it too, eh? For simplicity & performance, it's damn hard to beat a 4bbl. The problem is in the looks department. Unless you're running an old WCFB, it just won't look the part... Either can be tuned to delivery good performance and/or good mileage - the 4bbl will be easier to get there...
A flathead running friend runs a Fenton intake and Rochester 4GC from a '53 Olds 303 on his street engine, and is very happy with the looks, performance, and mileage.
My next 8BA (due here next week) will get an old Edelbrock 4bb intake with a WCFB sitting on top - it's going to be a driver.
Of course,don't we all. I guess what I really need are 3 new 97's.Only money keeps me from trying them! Thanks for your input.
I've kicked around deviating from the 3x2 plan (since I was a kid) to running a Quadra-Jet (which I love) for a few months now. It would be a daily driver - an F2 work truck - which got me to thinking about it. Now granted, factory 3x2 setups did run pretty good, don't get me wrong... but I agree with Flat Ernie. For Simplicity and performance, it really IS damn hard to beat a 4-bbl. I mean, come on! My F-2's freakin' hood will likely closed most of the time! I can always put a 3x2 on later, you know? ~Jason
I've worked thru all the flooding ,stumbling and poor idle issues a while back. I'm very keen on consistant street driveability. I guess after 50 plus years of fooling with hot rods I have'nt learned the old adage,If it aint broke don,t. fix it. Thanks for your input
They wouldn't keep making the 4-bbl intakes if folks weren't buying and using 'em. I wonder where those folks are... ~Jason
Ditto. I like to tinker. I love 3x2 setups because of this. Therein lies the rub, my friend. With a 4-bbl, you just turn the key and go - something a work truck demands, vs something a little more showy and fun... but there's no freakin' way it will ever be as cool. ~Jason
WHEW!!! It's good to know I'm not completely crazy for wanting to use my old Offy flathead 4 bbl intake and one of the early Carter or Rochester 4 bbls I have squirreled away. I was thinking it would be fun to see how it ran if I used a flathead in my '48 F1 to get it running and driving. What about the newer small Holley that Speedy Bill sells for the flathead, any good? Frank
I saw that intake and was wondering myself. And hey, I don't think anybody's gonna bust your balls running a flatty with a 4-bbl in a truck, man. LOL! ~Jason
This folk right here, new Speedway hi-rise 4-bbl intake with a Holley 390. If you are referring to the Holley 390, it is good right out of the box, just bolt it in, set the idle and go, for the most part. The only problem I've seen is that on a "performance" flathead, they run out of ass above 4k. T
YOU, sir, have just made my day - thanks for sharing! So tell us about it! How does it run? Are you as into it as you thought you'd be? Would you recommend it to any of us here? ~Jason
I have one of the first production line and yes, I am very satisfied with it. I called after I had it installed a while with some tech questions and I was told they are still working on the design and making improvements. As for the intake itself, you couldn't ask for a more complete kit. For the price you get the intake, new bolts, a push in breather, a PCV valve, and adapter for the new carbs, the o-ring to install it. It will work with an older style carb as well. It performs very well too, not that I've tried any others to compare, but from a visual point of view, it looks a lot better than the others out there. I'm not sure how well it would work on a purely stock engine, but with some additional cubes and a slightly larger cam it will make your flattly go. The biggest problem I has was finding an air cleaner I liked for the 4-bbl, I went with a repop early caddy/olds air cleaner...
Anyone with more info on the posted question? Someone that has gone from a 3-2 setup to a 4 barrel? Likes, dislikes etc..?
Ditto - I'm curious as to how the 3x2 and the 4-bbl compare in terms of economy and performance. ~Jason
I just picked up some Honk magazines from 1953 and was interested to see Edelbrock advertising their new 4-barrel (small pattern WCFB/4GC style) flathead intake in it. I wouldn't have previously thought that a 4-barrel flathead intake would go back that far.
Yep & I got one of those Edelbrock 4bbls - also just got my 8RT engine, so prolly going to slap it on here soon with a nicely rebuilt WCFB!
I have an old edelbrock slingshot manifold and I just don,t want to fool with more than one carb. I,m going to make an adapter for a 4 barrell carb, I have an old buick 4bbl and a few others to try out, and thats where I will have fun experimenting. As far as I know 4 barrels didnt apper till around 1952 so thats over 50 years ago, that qualifies as old parts.
Four barrel intakes for flatheads showed up soon after four barrel carburetors did. I used to have a Navarro "Duo-Duplex" (his fancy name for 4 bbl) intake for '49-'53 flatheads, and it had a boss on the passenger side to bolt the remote automatic choke mechanism to that worked with Ford and Mercury "teapot" carbs.
The first modern 4 barrels were 1952, I think?? There were Stromberg, Carter, and Rochester models in that first generation. HRM did a road test back then...anyone have the date for that story?
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