Some of you have seen my thread from yesterday. The Readers Digest version is that I rebuilt the Motorcraft 2 bbl carb on one of my trucks. It's on a Ford 360, fwiw. Now I've been told that I should install an aluminum or phenolic spacer (1/2"; +/-) between the carb and the intake manifold. What say ye? b-t-w; it didn't have one before I took it off for the rebuild. Regardless of the fact that this is on a 360 engine, I'm trying to learn so I'll have the knowledge the next time I want to rebuild or install a carb on Clarence or any other hot rod.
They usually came with something like this I think it was tied into the PCV valve. Been a while since I've worked on one, though
Use the phenolic rather than the aluminum. A small thing with a two barrel, but the aluminum will transfer engine heat to the carburetor. The phenolic will transfer a lot less heat. Also, ALL spacers have the effect of making the engine think that the carburetor is larger than it actually is. More plenum volume, slower air speed, JUST like a larger carb. Yea, 1/2" to 1" thick is fine. Mike
I highly recommend this advice. Made all the difference in the world for me eliminating vapor lock. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I did a 64 Merc Montery convertible . It had a 390 2 barrel and it had a spacer that ran coolant through it for carb heat. It had rotted out and I found a new one in the box from Green Automotive , they bought out obsolete Ford parts from dealers and have a huge inventory of Ford OEM parts. I think they are in Indiana. I just googled obsolete Ford parts and they came up.
I bought my 71 Ford truck with a 360 2 barrel and the spacer under the carb had water running through it. Still hooked up today but for a lot better running engine, installed a Holley 500 carb. It felt like the truck had twice the power.
My 61 352 did not come with one and it had the draft tube. I installed one for a place to hook up the new pcv valve that I put in. I did not notice any big power gain, but then it is a 352 in a heavy wagon.
Put one on my F-1 with a 289 at the advice of @oj,(Clark County Speed) ran much better, started easier too.
Try to find an original Ford Spacer in good condition. Otherwise get that solid soft spacer from Summit. The 2100 and 4100 are great but they all had a black rubber spacer or the coolant spacer shown above. Their weak point is that hollow base. Without the right spacer and past over zealous tightening(warping the base), they are prone for vacuum leaks at the base. On some intakes.....the spacer is a must especially for a 4100.
OK; I've learned something new again today. I took the air cleaner off to see how much of the studs were sticking up so I would know how thick of a spacer I need to buy or make. The spacer is there!!! What I thought was the top of the intake manifold is actually the top of the spacer. So I'm pretty sure that all is well. You all have been more of a help than I can express. And this is proof that even an old guy can still learn something. b-t-w; the spacer is the aluminum Ford one with the vacuum port and everything I've seen while researching this.
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