Or possibly H.R. Puffinstuff. A friend of my father-inlaw's gave me a box of old carburetors and made a pretty big deal out of this goofy looking thing. Called it a "double decker" or some such thing. It is a Holley, but I forgot to write down any of the numbers before I came to work.
Combine two of those on a 312 Y-block in a '57 Ford Police Interceptor for a nice little fire. That's where the "Towering Inferno" nickname comes from...Police Departments kept having problems with the carbs setting on fire on their '57 Fords.
[ QUOTE ] Looks like a Ford, middle 50's, affectionately called a "teapot" carb. [/ QUOTE ] we called 'em a tea kettle, same thing I guess. I ran one awhile on my '57 (untill I could aford one of them race carbs). Never had a problem with it. Of course that was 35+ or so years ago. I wouldn't run one today, but it would be cool on the shelf.
I've also heard 'em called the "inside-out Holley" but I'm a big fan of "towering inferno," personally.
I don't mean to be a dumb *** but since I don't know I'll ask......what was it that caused the fire....was it just fuel leaking onto the engine or was it something else?
we called them "Haystack carbs"-cause they went up in flames about that same speed.....also that was all we had to look at here in farm central to compare em too.....
Jester, I remember hearing somewhere that it has something to do with the fuel bowl being on the very top of the carburetor. Something about the seal on the fuel bowl leaking.
For all of those wondering what happend to our friendly Mayor...he apparently was part of a terrorist organization. Tim MBL
WRONG he was issuing marriage certivficates to gay frenchfries...... funny how jive-bomber just happened to wear his "mayor mccheese" racing jacket to work today........
[ QUOTE ] Jester, I remember hearing somewhere that it has something to do with the fuel bowl being on the very top of the carburetor. Something about the seal on the fuel bowl leaking. [/ QUOTE ] Usually stuck floats. Not too bad a problem until the engine backfires. And maybe not too bad a problem compared to a regular side float carb. Leaks on those seem to start car fires pretty regular. Just a guess, but if the float was stuck wouldn't it be better to have it going down the intake while the engine was running instead of all over the engine? Not good either way, but I think the Teapots got a bum rap. How many of them have you personally seen on fire? None for me. Seen some good Y-Block runners with them though....
C9, you might be right. They could have a bum wrap. Towering infernos is what my Dad called them. I have no experience with them whatsoever but it always made me laugh. I have had experience with Holley carbs on fire. My brother's car would have burnt to the ground while he helplessly beat his engine with his windbreaker if not for a rural postal carrier driving by. They are required to carry fire extinguishers in their delivery vehicles. I do happen to have a brand new Mayor McCheese ,teapot, towering inferno carb that has been waiting for an engine to try it on. If I never do it will sit like a primitive robot on my shelf as a good conversation peice. Brad
I can only hope that one day I hear it called "The Mayor McCheese" at a swap, show, etc. so I can sit back with a smug look knowing I coined the term. C9 - I think hot rodding is rife with myths, misinformation, folklore, and voodoo. But I'm sure that's not something you didn't already know.
you guys are silly... mayor mc cheese??? that is clearly Johnny 5 from the "short circuit" series of films.
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