OK, I'm putting together a '54 235 to replace the one in my '52. It's gonna be a full rebuild, so I'm taking this opportunity to make it the coolest, fun, and reliable motor I can. My coupe is my daily-driver, which is where these questions stem from. I don't want to have to pull over and tweak things every 5 miles! The plan is to carve out a couple of inches from the block and run a relatively mild cam, so I'm going to go with a multi-carb setup. 1bbl's or 2bbl's? 2 carbs or 3?? What make and model should I go with??? Rebuild old ones or buy new ones? I love the way old carbs look (especially "glass bowl" Holleys and Strombergs) but I want something super-functional as well (again it's my daily). Is the linkage a nightmare to setup with these kind of carbs? Or, should I go with modern day carburetors? I'm running a Holley-Weber 2bbl on my stock manifold now and it works KILLER... the problem is I don't like the way dual modern carbs look, too "clunky" and cluttered. Should I run a 4bbl? Gawdamn options! Any input is appreciated, ns
I got to recommend that you get yourself some Fenton headers for that baby. Then find a nice dual intake. I agree on the look of the later carbs. They don't do it! The Strombergs are probably the carbs to have. After trying a pair of YFs, then a pair of Hollys I have found a matched pair of Carter WA-1s. They are nice and have given me no trouble. When you find an intake, hopefully it will have the linkage you need still there. I lost my bell crank and installed a Lokar pedal and cable. There have been those that had clearance issues with three carbs. Plus there are more dual intakes to choose from. Just for some info on mine, after a number of years trying things and learning as I go, I have finally ended up with a good looking good running six. It is a 54 235 bored 60 over, balanced, with an 848 head, 261 valve springs, Fenton headers, water heated Tattersfield dual intake, the WA-1s, mild cam, mini HEI, S-10 T-5 tranny. I've done more but this is the engine info. Dom
Thanks for the info! And, yeah, I'm all good in the exhaust dept. The first thing I did when I got the coupe was install Fenton headers with straight pipes! That stuff's stayin'! -ns
Hope we can talk sorry about that hotrod I'm trying to build.Those carter wa 1's are a nice carb,I have a couple on the shelf.Stromberg bxov, bxvd,holley 2110,are all some good old style carbs that will work.I think a good set of carter yf's can do the job.Rochesters if you can find a dry pair.You can find the real deal intakes for a reasonable price on the ebay.Tom Larrowe and stovebolt engine company are a real good source.For dependability their carbs and linkages work well.Patricks is always fair priced and easy to get along with.See you on a post soon?
I suggest the fenton header /split manifold and the dual intake. I would suggest the rochester b carbs. I just built a pair for a custorere 235 and they ran great. The linkage is pretty straight forward as well. I think the rochester B carbs are the best for the bucks. I have some pics of the linkage that we fabed and then used the locar cable as well.
Two carbs is all you ever gonna need to deal with, for street driving that's enough. I run 2 Rochester B's. Had to richen upthe main jets and also passages inside the carb to get enough fuel delivery, probably cause the signal and air flow thru two isn't really enough to make them function well and efficient? Also run Fenton,s, hei, stick, 848 head, solid Howard cam, great engine. Last time out, ran 17.38 and 80.15 mph. 54 210. Frank Let me add, they ran well with the stock jets and passages, but the plugs were really white at the drags. Street driving was OK. So I was sneaking up on rich, til I could get a color on the plugs at 5000 grand. got that now and didnot hurt the low speed or transition for cruising.
Hey man, feel free to post them pics! I'm sure there's more than a handful of people that would love to see 'em. -ns
A somewhat related question. Does anyone know what the CFM rating for a Rochester 1B or 1BC is? I'm building a 235 for my 55 pickup. Thanks.
don't do 3 carbs....i've had the setup on my 54 for a few years, no performance gains, and the back carb (closest to the firewall) will require you to rework the firewall and the support rib will need reworking too. if you look there should be wiring back there too, that in time will rub on the back carb......this is from expierence..... i'll be back on 2 carbs this summer. Also the holley 847's are good for the stovebolts too....
How rare are the Holley 847's? Are the rebuild kits readily available? Anybody else have any luck with carbs besides the common rochester and carter setups? Any pics??? thanks again everybody, ns
Sounds like you really want to go traditional with the motor, but have you considered Weber side drafts? There was a 59 Imp in Rod and Custom a while back with a hopped up 235 and three Webers...looked really killer. Definitely not the cheapest way to go though...
If you find an intake that takes the smaller 216 size carbs, try to find a pair of Stromberg BXOV-2s. Many of them had adjustable main jets, which makes fine tuning a snap.
well i am running a 235 in a 58 chevy truck. I asked the same question and someone told me to get good performance use a triple carbs setup with rochesters and use headers that will heat the manifold[better combustion]. I looked for the old fentons with the heat riser but didnt find any yet so i will buy some tube headers and add a heatriser. Just to give you some ideas.
I"m going to rebuild them soon, Mac's has the kits for 18 bucks. I've used W1's on a 2x1 with decent sucess, but there was somethig not working right on them.....not sure what. used Rochester BC's on a 3x1 setup, other than the little leaks they have (very very very minor) i'd run them but they are the larger diameter bores and the 847's and w1's are the smaller and i'd prefer the smaller.....plus what i noted above about the rubbing on wires on the firewall
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