Tea Pot Carburetor

[Motorhead6]

I am installing a 4V manifold on my flathead in my '51 Vicky which requires the small base bolt pattern. I do not want to use an adapter for the larger carburetor as this looks a little odd to me. This desire limits me to an early GM WCFB or the Ford Holley 4000 series tea pot style carb. I have settled on the tea pot. I don't want to get into all of the hullaballoo about the fire hazards associated with this carburetor that we all know about.

That said, I have a couple of choices in that I have bought a '55, a '56 and a truck tea pot carb that has the governor. The one that seems to be in the best condition is the truck one.

My question(s):

1- Can the governor be removed and still let the carburetor be totally functional?

2- At what RPM range is the gevernor functional?

3- Is the governor adjustable, and if so, what is the procedure?

4- Is there a manual available that covers the truck and/or car models?

5- Will the 239 CID flatty flow enough air to operate the secondaries?

Thanks for your help.

VR, Motorhead

[BERNIE G]

I agree the adapter looks odd. I put a 390 Holley on a 53 Flatty useing the adapter. I bolted the adapter to the carb, then rounded and shaped the adapter to look like it was part of the base. It looks natural on there. I mounted ihe Carb backwards to eliminate the throttle linkage issue(different sides). We have run it for years trouble free. Worth thinking about..

[Ole Don]

Back in the day, my grandpa had a fleet of gravel haulers. The 55 and 56 F6 had 272's, governed at 4400 as I remember. The Lincoln based 302 and 332 was governed at 3600, but I didnt run my 332 that fast.

[paul2748]

If you are looking for a good rebuilder, contact Mike Suter in PA. He is an expert of the teapots and runs them after rebuild.

[KULTULZ]

I believe most fire hazards were concerning the dual four setups.

What you are trying to defeat is the LOAD-O-MATIC system. FORD went to the ported vacuum advance system in 1957. I had a stock 57 312 with a 4000 HOLLEY from the factory so it can be done.

[Motorhead6]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thanks for your help and info, especially on the RPM ranges of the governor.

What I ended up doing is rebuilding the '55. Talk about a marked improvement over the 2 X 2 set up that I took off!!! Runs great and took care of all of my problems. I am running a ProComp Dist, Coil, and exciter box with no vacuum advance, so no problem with the Load-O-Matic issue; just blocked it off.

I know there would be an improvement in fuel economy with the vacuum advance, but I guess one can't have it all. I get much better mileage than with the 2 X 2 set up as well; probably going to well excede 20 MPG. I did install an Automatic overdrive form an '87 Ford pick-up a couple of years back, so that helps a lot too.

VR, Motorhead