I have several 4 BBL manifolds for 8BA flatheads that I have accumulated over the years (Fenton, Edmunds, Offenhauser) and have decided to use one on my latest build. These manifolds all use what is called a "square" mounting flange that matches only older carburetors, such as Carter WCFB's, small base Rochester 4G's, and Holley "Teapots". These carburetors are hard to find, and expensive when you do. About 25 years ago, I built a 276" flathead with an Offy manifold and a Holley 390. Except for some complications with the throttle linkage, the setup worked pretty well. When I started looking into doing this again, I was, quite frankly, amazed at the cost of doing it these days. The Edelbrock adapter is listed by most suppliers at $109.95, and a new Holley carb is in the $700 to $800 range from the major suppliers. I think I can handle the adapter with some 1/2" aluminum plate and my drill press, but the carbs are priced into the stratusphere. While looking for carburetors, I came across a listing on eBay for new, Chinese made 390 clones for $211. Here's the link : https://www.ebay.com/itm/283289185563?hash=item41f559ed1b:g:uR8AAOSwytJZ~CAB&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAA4EZKdAIG2IINtfIX7xkRt2wfs51i02Cofn/cRA/r3w2WqQDiLpHwETSShXSgpTdBUJ7d81lez6MEqFep8DpX1I8wMZCb3gSzu3lr2DdhO1rMC3ewGZNPqctGOoTV8T6yywkeo8DJeB28t6iWmNMB3TdzSqiWr0J+ULouzBvIgNzJtnVqVKWkXYaKasqsJlOwguOU2bdttSO2wLznzmW0HpWb0i0XNj/37CB/lMSoP5wVLYFVxgG8kOweHOyrjVQ+1EaD7Mu+Y0QnqO620ri8efof8uDuQme9yHBuswmlF7+e|tkp:BFBM5tTv2apg. Has anyone had any experience with these? The guy has a 90% positive feedback rating, and from what I can see, the main problem has been with faulty power valves. I have a ton of Holley power valves, so that wouldn't be a problem for me. Quite frankly, if these could be made to work with a little fiddlin' around, it would be a boon to guys like me. Please, let's not let this turn into a bunch of unmitigated "China Bashing"; if you have some built in prejudice about off shore products, I've heard it all before. All I want to do is come up with a reasonably priced carburation system for my FLATHEAD FORD. From what I've seen lately, the domestic speed equipment companies seem to be taking a greedy, self-centered approach to supplying the parts we need. Have you tried to get a set of finned aluminum flathead heads lately? It ain't happening. Perhaps they need a little competition to get them back in the game.
I hate to say it but the way our economy is headed, prices are only going in one direction. Notice that the fuel bowl brass screw plug has been replaced by a C-clip. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2832891855...EW5WUqVlQ2EAWXgNE%3D|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2047675
That's a way to go, but I have found it can get expensive. I'm watching one on eBay right now that has 4 days to go. Have you tried to buy (or even find) a rebuildable WCFB lately? Or even a small base 2G? I am just exploring all my options.
I come across Holley 1850's (600cfm) from time to time, but the smaller cfm ones are not too common around here. No experience with the link you posted, but worth a shot.
Haha, I guess not everyone is a carb hoarder like me. I usually buy every one I find. I might have a good 4G if you are interested.
Years ago, some of the old flathead guys said the best flathead carb was a 54 or so Buick wcfb. I used one on mr 276 flathead and have one on my 241 hemi now. They are actually pretty high flow and have secondary valves that Chevy did not get till 57. They are rear inlet for some reason but that works great on a flathead. They are small base so fit the early manifolds. They show up on eBay and are usually very cheap. I have yet to buy a kit for one. They do not leak because the fuel bowl has no place to leak. They absolutely bullet proof. Buick used a stupid starter switch on the carb. Just remove and plug. They are short enough for the gen to fit
Small base? Do you have any idea what it came off of? I am trying to find a matched pair to put on an old Offenhauser dual quad manifold on a '51 Rocket I have. I currently have one from a stick shift '53 Olds.
Old Rochester would be super cool, I have two crusty ones in my basement you can have for shipping. As far as Holley carbs, I dont know about the China ones, but a few years ago I bought a few genuine Holley/quick fuel carbs from ebay as 'refurbished ' directly from holley. I suspect they are warranty returns they fix. They were in the $200 ballpark. As always, if you watch something, they usually will send you a lower offer in few days. ETA: looks like quick fuel, vac secondary 450 'slayer' run $400 new. Even rebuildable cores of 390cfm carbs are high, bet i saw was this one, with bidding still going. https://tinyurl.com/2p8szknh Nice thing about it is that it was previously owned by car Hobbits, so you know it will be good.
I am like you . I have one plastic tub for 4 barrels and one tub 2 barrels same for shifters, spotlights , taillights and brass fire extinguishers
For true, I have a shelf of WCFBs and a shelf of 4GCs. Since those good ole dogs have cast iron bases, they're an expensive PITA to ship. Don't even think of putting one in a USPS Large Flat Rate Box unless you have the expanding foam machine to build a mold inside. jack vines
If you dig Holleys, pick up a small venturi one off EBay that hasn't been monkeyed up and rebuild it. Joe
I’ve been using Carter WCFB small bases for years. Cad’s and Buicks had rear fuel feeds. Olds and others including Packards, Mopars, Lincoln’s, Mercury’s were on the front. I use 2 1953 Olds 303” on my dual quad 297” Y-Block. Most used them thru 56 but not Chevrolet or Pontiac who never used them. Small base Rochester 4GC’s we’re also used on higher end cars for the most part. Like everything they are higher in price than they should be because restorations have caused most of it. Kits are available for all of them and mine have not had any fuel problems. They also like about 4 psi. Carb King on this site is the go to guy on these.
I have a 4 jets and 2 4gcs sitting here. I had a HAMBer also offer up several @jimmy six the latter two I have are pretty specific Vette and Caddy carbs, I am guessing they are worth a fair bit more
I run a 320 Buick straight 8 WCFB on my 286 cube Flathead in my '40 Ford. 1 year only carb. My 331 Hemi runs the stock '54 Hemi WCFB. Kits were pretty reasonable. Dave
Cad dual quads with the correct #’s like Corvettes/Chevrolets are costly. Chevrolet 245-270’s are pretty ez to tell by the missing front choke since they were progressive. Cad’s were not progressive and both had chokes.
This thread is a few months old, but hopefully someone will see it. I am looking for WCFB rear feed if any one has one laying around. Building a motor that would go great with it for a friend.
I'm not sure if I have an early WCFB right now, but I've got a few of the rear feed Rochester 4GCs from '52-'53 Olds 303s if that will work.
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