The Ford Barn

gtmomerc · 05-09-2020, 01:31 PM

In the process of procuring a later model distributor and oil pump but does anyone know the part number for the 4100 390 cfm carb that seems to be the go to one for the upgrade? Thanks!

dmsfrr · 05-09-2020, 03:01 PM

Holley List # 1273 was used in '57 on the Birds. I think the cfm rating is approx 400, it has vacuum secondaries.
How close to 'period correct' do you want to be?
Most any of the 'new' smaller cfm Holley's are fine.
You will need an adapter plate to install the new carb. The bolt pattern changed in '57 and is larger.

gtmomerc · 05-09-2020, 05:22 PM

Beautiful pix.... thanksfor the reply. I'm really concerned about driveability at this point. I'll keep the original parts of course but the engine doesn't smoke or leak and the trans works perfect but the carb is leaking and the distributor is missing the vacuum advance and seems to have some play. Can I get the carb adapter from Speedway? Then what would be the best carb for the later model distributor? Do I need anything else other than the distributor, oil pump and carb? The oil pump looks pretty straight forward to change but are there any gotcha's that I need to know about? I bought the car at an estate sale here in Pensacola. The car was liberated from GTMO in the 60's by the second owner. I'm the third. No rust, mostly original paint and I think I'm going to keep it that way for awhile. I like the patina....thanks again!!

5851a · 05-09-2020, 06:09 PM

Just a question but have you thought of sending in the original parts to have them rebuilt? There are some people on the barn that seem to do amazing work with carbs and distributors. When you start with new parts you may need to adapt several things. The older cars ran pretty good in the day. Sorry first part was question and second part was JMO.

dmsfrr · 05-09-2020, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtmomerc

Beautiful pix.... thanksfor the reply. I'm really concerned about driveability at this point. I'll keep the original parts of course but the engine doesn't smoke or leak and the trans works perfect but the carb is leaking and the distributor is missing the vacuum advance and seems to have some play. Can I get the carb adapter from Speedway? Then what would be the best carb for the later model distributor? Do I need anything else other than the distributor, oil pump and carb? The oil pump looks pretty straight forward to change but are there any gotcha's that I need to know about? I bought the car at an estate sale here in Pensacola. The car was liberated from GTMO in the 60's by the second owner. I'm the third. No rust, mostly original paint and I think I'm going to keep it that way for awhile. I like the patina....thanks again!!

You're welcome.
There are a couple gotcha's... depending on whether or not the ('54 256) engine is 'early' or 'late'. There was a mid-year change at some point. I was told the one in photo 3 is the 'late' version.
Most of the following is based only on very fleeting ownership of a disguised '54 256 long-block that I sold asap.

The early versions may have used a flat & slot (tang) oil pump drive with 13 teeth on the driven gear. (photo 1)
The later versions have a hex drive and a 14 tooth gear. (photo 4) They may or may not use a different oil pump.

Not sure where to find the carb adapter (I've never looked for one) but it should be easy to find.
You'll also need to consider a replacement air cleaner. The top of a newer carb is not the same shape as the teapot you have.

If you thought of changing the intake manifold... the intake ports at the head may not be the same size and a '55+ intake manif won't seal to the '54 heads. (photo 2)

Rebuilding what you have is still a good option as 5851a mentioned.

JMFL36 · 05-09-2020, 07:27 PM

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My early '54 Mercury Monterey 256 has the tang oil pump drive but has 14 teeth.

Dobie Gillis · 05-09-2020, 07:46 PM

Here's your carb adapter:

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Holle...late,5551.html

Jegs and Summit have 'em, too. I also suggest inserting a phenolic spacer (not the open style) between the carb and adapter. It reduces the propensity to vapor lock and improves throttle response.

darrell · 05-10-2020, 06:25 AM

all 54 mercs had the small cam and 14 teeth.all had tang drive.

scicala · 05-10-2020, 10:12 AM

To me, the simplest, cheapest and best is to rebuild the carb, and put on a vacuum can for a '55 loadomatic distributor. Then it will run as designed and be original. I can help with the carb if you decide to go that way. I've done many '54 Merc Holley teapot carbs.

Sal

dmsfrr · 05-10-2020, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scicala

To me, the simplest, cheapest and best is to rebuild the carb, and put on a vacuum can for a '55 loadomatic distributor. Then it will run as designed and be original. I can help with the carb if you decide to go that way. I've done many '54 Merc Holley teapot carbs.
Sal

Yes, it is a good idea, and less mix & match parts headaches too.

darrell · 05-10-2020, 11:50 AM

i have a 54 dist,and i just compared it to a 55 same thing.you can use a55 vavuum can.

paul2748 · 05-10-2020, 07:26 PM

Here's the Holley 390. Sit down before looking at the price.

https://www.holley.com/products/fuel...r/parts/0-8007

I agree with Scicala

Dobie Gillis · 05-10-2020, 07:57 PM

OUCH! I've got a 390 needing a rebuild sitting on a shelf . Maybe I'll peddle it...

packrat5 · 05-11-2020, 11:57 AM

You know, I've had Holley carbs # 1273, 8005, and 4548 rebuilt and for sale at $250 each for many years. All 3 of them are specific Ford carbs. "Too much money" What? Are you kidding me? I gave up, and stripped the 1273 and the 4548 for parts. I am going to strip the 8005 as well as soon as I have a chance. Who am I saving this stuff for anyway? They are worth more than $250 in parts to me anyway.
By the way, that Speedway adapter is junk. I have two of them. It's a thin 1/2 in thick diecast piece made in china. Trust me, you will be disappointed. You can buy good ones, 1 inch thick, that you can thread studs into, but as far as I know, they are no longer made. I paid $50 each for a pair of used ones for our Edelbrock 257 intake project.

Dobie Gillis · 05-11-2020, 01:35 PM

Yeah, I had to return one to Speedway because it was warped out of the box. The 2nd one was fine.

Daves55Sedan · 05-12-2020, 05:23 PM

Just my opinion, but I like the idea of just rebuilding the carb. Sal could do it and that problem would be solved. As far as the distributor shaft slop, you could ask Bubba (bubbas ignition) if he could put a new shaft bushing or if he knows who could. But I would NOT get a rebuild from an auto parts store because their rebuilders (probably Cardone) seem to be messing them up.
Lastly, the V8 load-o-matic vacuum can is no longer offered by any of the resto parts suppliers. Maybe e-pay?

05-09-2020, 01:31 PM	#1
gtmomerc Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 13	54 Monterey Distributor and Carb upgrade In the process of procuring a later model distributor and oil pump but does anyone know the part number for the 4100 390 cfm carb that seems to be the go to one for the upgrade? Thanks!

05-09-2020, 05:22 PM	#3
gtmomerc Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 13	Re: 54 Monterey Distributor and Carb upgrade Beautiful pix.... thanksfor the reply. I'm really concerned about driveability at this point. I'll keep the original parts of course but the engine doesn't smoke or leak and the trans works perfect but the carb is leaking and the distributor is missing the vacuum advance and seems to have some play. Can I get the carb adapter from Speedway? Then what would be the best carb for the later model distributor? Do I need anything else other than the distributor, oil pump and carb? The oil pump looks pretty straight forward to change but are there any gotcha's that I need to know about? I bought the car at an estate sale here in Pensacola. The car was liberated from GTMO in the 60's by the second owner. I'm the third. No rust, mostly original paint and I think I'm going to keep it that way for awhile. I like the patina....thanks again!!

05-09-2020, 06:09 PM	#4
5851a Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NE Iowa Posts: 1,664	Re: 54 Monterey Distributor and Carb upgrade Just a question but have you thought of sending in the original parts to have them rebuilt? There are some people on the barn that seem to do amazing work with carbs and distributors. When you start with new parts you may need to adapt several things. The older cars ran pretty good in the day. Sorry first part was question and second part was JMO.

05-09-2020, 07:46 PM	#7
Dobie Gillis Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Middle TN Posts: 1,060	Re: 54 Monterey Distributor and Carb upgrade Here's your carb adapter: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Holle...late,5551.html Jegs and Summit have 'em, too. I also suggest inserting a phenolic spacer (not the open style) between the carb and adapter. It reduces the propensity to vapor lock and improves throttle response. __________________ Often wrong but never in doubt.

05-10-2020, 06:25 AM	#8
darrell Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: p.e.i. Posts: 1,060	Re: 54 Monterey Distributor and Carb upgrade all 54 mercs had the small cam and 14 teeth.all had tang drive.

05-10-2020, 10:12 AM	#9
scicala Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Detroit suburb, MI Posts: 3,706	Re: 54 Monterey Distributor and Carb upgrade To me, the simplest, cheapest and best is to rebuild the carb, and put on a vacuum can for a '55 loadomatic distributor. Then it will run as designed and be original. I can help with the carb if you decide to go that way. I've done many '54 Merc Holley teapot carbs. Sal

05-10-2020, 11:50 AM	#11
darrell Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: p.e.i. Posts: 1,060	Re: 54 Monterey Distributor and Carb upgrade i have a 54 dist,and i just compared it to a 55 same thing.you can use a55 vavuum can.

05-10-2020, 07:26 PM	#12
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: 54 Monterey Distributor and Carb upgrade Here's the Holley 390. Sit down before looking at the price. https://www.holley.com/products/fuel...r/parts/0-8007 I agree with Scicala __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

05-10-2020, 07:57 PM	#13
Dobie Gillis Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Middle TN Posts: 1,060	Re: 54 Monterey Distributor and Carb upgrade OUCH! I've got a 390 needing a rebuild sitting on a shelf . Maybe I'll peddle it... __________________ Often wrong but never in doubt.

05-11-2020, 11:57 AM	#14
packrat5 BANNED Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 301	Re: 54 Monterey Distributor and Carb upgrade You know, I've had Holley carbs # 1273, 8005, and 4548 rebuilt and for sale at $250 each for many years. All 3 of them are specific Ford carbs. "Too much money" What? Are you kidding me? I gave up, and stripped the 1273 and the 4548 for parts. I am going to strip the 8005 as well as soon as I have a chance. Who am I saving this stuff for anyway? They are worth more than $250 in parts to me anyway. By the way, that Speedway adapter is junk. I have two of them. It's a thin 1/2 in thick diecast piece made in china. Trust me, you will be disappointed. You can buy good ones, 1 inch thick, that you can thread studs into, but as far as I know, they are no longer made. I paid $50 each for a pair of used ones for our Edelbrock 257 intake project. Last edited by packrat5; 05-11-2020 at 12:03 PM.

05-11-2020, 01:35 PM	#15
Dobie Gillis Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Middle TN Posts: 1,060	Re: 54 Monterey Distributor and Carb upgrade Yeah, I had to return one to Speedway because it was warped out of the box. The 2nd one was fine. __________________ Often wrong but never in doubt.

05-12-2020, 05:23 PM	#16
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: 54 Monterey Distributor and Carb upgrade Just my opinion, but I like the idea of just rebuilding the carb. Sal could do it and that problem would be solved. As far as the distributor shaft slop, you could ask Bubba (bubbas ignition) if he could put a new shaft bushing or if he knows who could. But I would NOT get a rebuild from an auto parts store because their rebuilders (probably Cardone) seem to be messing them up. Lastly, the V8 load-o-matic vacuum can is no longer offered by any of the resto parts suppliers. Maybe e-pay?