I’m in the process of trying to put together a 3X2 set up for my 428 FE. I have some carbs, but not sure about if they have the right metering blocks. I sure they have the wrong fuel bowls on them, but that doesn’t bother me. My main concern is do they have the right metering blocks or if they are the wrong ones, will they work? And what are the major differences in Holley metering blocks with different numbers? Other than visible differences. Ie, front vs back etc. My Holley book does not include these carbs in their carb break down. The list number on these carbs is 2436 and 2437, can any one tell what I’m supposed to have with these carbs or what will work? Thanks in advance Bones
IIRC there are basically two sets of carbs, the regular Galaxie setup, and different ones for the flat T-Bird manifolds. I have three complete Gal setups upstairs, sold my Bird setup a while ago. If no one responds with the numbers, I can take a look. Actually considering selling a setup, don't need three
Thanks! I do have one T bird metering block. But , there is just something wrong about having 3 3x2 FE set ups in the attic! ... Wish I had that problem! Lol let me know. Bones
Want one? I need to keep one, as my XL hardtop is an original 406-405hp car. Just getting a glut on 2x4 intakes, so the 3x2s sit on the shelf
I cant help you. However those ford tri powers are great looking. I had one decades ago. Never used it because I couldn't find carb kits. So I sold it. Possibly Carb King could help you?
Oh, I want one, but my pennies are scarce! I bought a good manifold several years ago, a friend gave me an after market air cleaner top, I bought an air cleaner bottom. While at FE Race and Reunion last year I bought 3 carbs somewhat complete, but all 3 are outside carbs. I scored part of the linkage, the cross over. So I’m a long ways into mine.... but with no end in sight! Might be convinced to send my stuff down the road for a complete one! Maybe, lol. I was thinking of using my two outside carbs and then using a 500 cfm Newer Holley for the center crab. Not building a number matching thing, just want it to run and look good. Bones
No help with metering blocks but at least this can ID the original application of the carbs and their CFM ratings.
I guess I’m going backwards! Ford put the smaller carb in the center and I’m thinking of putting a larger carb in the center! Oh, well might work! Bones
Bones - the pictured tripower is high up on a shelf, with a BUNCH of stuff in front of it. If nobody else comes through with numbers, I'll try to take in down in a couple of days, and get the metering block numbers. I bought that set years ago, and sent the carbs to the Holley Custom Shop for cosmetic and mechanical restoration. At the time, Holley was using the hex-headed bowl bolts, so I asked them to use our parts, and I had reproduced the t****zoidal headed bolts. It is my understanding that Holley may now have the correct bolts. I was going to use this on my shop truck, but decided I would rather have dual quads, which it now has. I am NOT an expert when it comes to Holley, so cannot tell you what the numbers mean; but the only metering blocks I have ever seen with the same numbers came on tripower carbs. The list numbers are 2436 F/R, and 2437 center. Jon.
Bones , Fuel Economy at its best in 63 ! I have had a couple of the Tri Power units , in my day . I hated them , where I live the temp and humidity are constantly changing . This played havoc with the drivability of a car with a huge cam and high compression . I replaced everyone I had with a Sidewinder Intake and OEM 750 CFM 4 barrel carb from 428s .
Gotcha, Dave, I’m not in this for performance! I know an Edlebrock RPM intake and a 650/750 would make more power! I’m for a little performance and a good “ hot rod” look. Economy means nothing to me. I’m going to put this on a 462 cubic inch FE with a small cam and moderate heads. Coupled with a 22,000 to 26,000 stall C-6 and 3:50 gears in my avatar! I toying with putting a 500 cfm Holley in the center and the stock ones on the outside, especially if I cannot find the original stuff. I would think someone here would know or have a book , as to what the numbers on the metering blocks on a Holley carb mean! I guess I have asked the unanswerable question! Just my luck! Lol Bones
Bones - on that engine, you can have the hot rod look, gobs of power, and great economy all with the same package. Think dual quads with Carter AFB type carbs. To really do it right, you have to start with 4 carburetors for all the necessary parts; but the end results are amazing. Jon.
Bones - here is a partial answer. The stamped numbers on the metering blocks on the front and rear carbs are 3434. If one consults the Holley MPL for the list numbers 2437, one finds the Holley part number for the metering block is 34R-3434. 34R is the code number for some of the Holley castings. So is the stamped number the part number? Coincidence? The price of tea in China? I don't know. Like I said earlier, I am NOT a Holley expert; you may draw your own conclusions from the facts above. Jon.
The need for numbers on metering blocks might be to ID their different calibration. Emulsion p***age hole sizing, idle feed restrictions, is the block drilled for a power valve and/or a vacuum fitting and more could be different.
I have a Galaxie and a T Bird set up and some extra carbs around here someplace, when I go down to the shop I will get numbers off them for you.
What! You don’t think my FE will whined that high? I have done some tricks to it! Lol.....I guess I got zero happy! Lol Bones
ForDors, yes that is the reason for different numbers on the metering blocks, for sure. What I was wondering was “ what” are the differences in the calibration. And can I use any metering block on my 2300 carb with good results? Or do I need the exact numbers matching set up? Are some number better than others? Will some work and others not? Is there a chart some where that describes the changes by number? I guess I was too vague in my question. Thanks. Bones
You guys kill me! Lol, Here I’ve been looking for parts, buying what I can here and there, about to get a 3X2 set up somewhat complete. And you say “ I’ve got two sets and some extra carbs....somewhere around here”..... not sure where, but I’ll look! How do you guys find this stuff? Lol I guess it’s the same old story of my life.... A day late and a dollar short! My whine is over! Lol I would appreciate you looking at those numbers for me! Thanks Bones
I have been collecting for over 50 years.... anyway I have a set of C1AE- AV middle carb with 3440 metering block and C1AE-AU end carbs with metering blocks 3434. Then my C2SE carbs have 3559 center carb and 3563 end carb metering blocks. My extra carbs are one each AU and AV carbs. I tried looking for the metering plates you have but could not find those numbers, must not be performance carb parts. Will they work? Probably, just have to try them out.
According to the Holley MPL, the part number for the AV carb is 34R-3440. So POSSIBLY the stamped number is the part number. As far as the differences are concerned, doubt such a do***ent exists. Don't have any Holley blueprints/drawings this new; but air bleeds, channel bleeds, etc. are specified on the in-house only bill of materials for the Holley series 4000. I have prints for the dual quads and supercharged 4000's. Jon.
That’s what gets me! We hot rod everything! Mix and match engines and transmissions in different cars, adapt this to that! Change carbs and jets, put in different ignition systems, but I have never seen anything on mixing or changing the metering blocks! Just seems odd to me! Bones
Likely you will need to get it running and read the spark plugs to determine if the mixtures are too rich or too lean? The factory setup is tuned for a stock engine. Your modified engine will most likely require a different jetting.
Ive ran three two bbl carbs on a Pontiac. I didn't have anything other than a manifold. I used three stock two bbl 2GC Rochesters from a 283. I made it idle on all three and did not use any progressive linkage. I figured if 4 two BBl Rochesters worked on a Man a Free intake on a small block chevy. three ought to work on a larger Pontiac Engine. And it worked great. I left the idle circuits and accelerator pumps intact on all three carbs.
That That’s the odd thing, Randall, on the Ford 3x2 factory set up, all three carbs have idle circuits! That’s the thing that floored me! I always thought you were supposed to idle on the center carb! Someone told me that with the 3x2 manifold, it too far for just one carb! But the stock two manifolds don’t seem to have a problem. Some of my FE friends said I would need all three carbs to idle right! Also on some 3x2 Holley carbs for Ford, some outside carbs are drilled for choke and some are not! This has been a learning experience and I don’t even have my engine built yet! Lol Bones
I would forget the holley carbs. I would use three stock autolite 2 bbl carbs without any progressive linkage. . Those autolites will run with the tops removed. they don't have fuel bowl leakage troubles. and they are plentiful. The 289 engines had a smaller autolite than the FE did.
There is a guy on another forum that did just that! It’s temping, but why reinvent the wheel. With modern gaskets, there is very little leakage problems any more. I will mill my surfaces before install, to ensure the bodies are not warped! We run Holleys on all our race cars and have back up carbs, never any fuel leak at the gaskets, and we reuse them. If I had three of the old Autolite I would maybe give it a try. I have a lot of Autolite two barrels, but most are the newer versions. Even the Autolites have leakage problems. My carb on my avatar car is squirting gas out of the accelerator pump, now! Lol Bones
Bones, I thought I was going to be able to help you from an old Holley catalogue, but although it lists the 3x2 setups for Chev and MOPAR, and a 6X2 setup for Ford, there are no 3x2 listings. I can say, that your supposition that the center carb cfm is lower than the outside carbs on both the Chev and Chrysler installations. On the 440, the center carb is 290 cfm The outside carbs are 420 cfm. I have the venturi size for the above mentioned carbs, but nothing for the Ford application. I have a performance catalogue printed by Ford, and I will look to see if the parts are listed in that book. I found my 1985 Holley Performance Parts Catalogue, but it doesn't list the different carbs, there is just one number, 0-4412. There is a numerical carb listing in the book, so knowing the list number of the carb, I can provide the specifications for the carb. I am running a single 4bbl on a Ford aluminum highrise maniflold, and have no experience with the 3X2 setup. Bob
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