Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-10-2019, 10:59 PM   #1
Clem Clement
Senior Member
 
Clem Clement's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fairfax, VA
Posts: 3,391
Default Carb Spacer

I see in the latest eV-8 Times for Sep./Oct that a carb spacer will cool the carb.
How does that work?
Clem Clement is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2019, 07:02 AM   #2
JWL
Member Emeritus
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia
Posts: 2,204
Default Re: Carb Spacer

It takes advantage of the latent heat of vaporization and insolates or moves the carb further away from heat.
JWL is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 10-11-2019, 07:13 AM   #3
A bones
Senior Member
 
A bones's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: CLAYTON DE
Posts: 1,280
Default Re: Carb Spacer

It works because it is made of non-conductive material. This gives it insulating property.

There are three ways to transfer heat. Conduction Convection Radiation.

Conduction is the process of one object touching another. Given time they both become the same temp.

Convection applies to liquid or gases. This process is that of heat ( which is always lighter) being moved by currents, air or liquid. The fact that heat is lighter means that it's warmer at a room's ceiling than the floor.

Radiation is caused is caused by electromagnetic waves and does not apply here. The term can be confused with what we call radiant heat. When on object 'throws' heat this is actually convected heat with a strong source of supply. Think radiator or oven.

In our case the contact between the manifold and the carb is interrupted by material ( the spacer ) that resists molecular movement. The engine temp is allowed to be different than the carb.

Something to ponder: All heat is the result of molecular activity. As molecules slow temperature falls. Therefore ( technically ) there is no such a thing ( thing being a process ) as cold. It is a lack of heat.

Or as said by JWL it moves the carb away.

Vaporization is an exothermic reaction. As the gas is atomized, vaporized it cools. The spacer allows the carb be cooled as well.
__________________
Enjoy yer day. Tom
Hate can't fix what it started.

Last edited by A bones; 10-11-2019 at 08:38 AM. Reason: Clarity
A bones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2019, 09:14 AM   #4
Joe Immler
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Massillon, Ohio
Posts: 783
Default Re: Carb Spacer

I put one on my '41. It really makes a difference.
Joe Immler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2019, 09:44 AM   #5
Clem Clement
Senior Member
 
Clem Clement's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fairfax, VA
Posts: 3,391
Default Re: Carb Spacer

Takes me back to thermo class. Many thanks. Certainly any temp change will help
Clem Clement is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2019, 12:33 PM   #6
A bones
Senior Member
 
A bones's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: CLAYTON DE
Posts: 1,280
Default Re: Carb Spacer

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
The other aspect of the spacer is the slight but real increase of the manifold plenum volume. As RPMs go up this slightly larger charge is being pulled at the same rate ( the piston travel ) but extra air-fuel is available.

My earlier post was only considering the thermal properties.

Addressing hot weather problems should consider that vapor lock refers to heat in the line from the pump.
__________________
Enjoy yer day. Tom
Hate can't fix what it started.
A bones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2019, 07:36 PM   #7
Clem Clement
Senior Member
 
Clem Clement's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fairfax, VA
Posts: 3,391
Default Re: Carb Spacer

thought so. the 39pickup seems to be ok with no v lock. We have one intersection in DC that bites us, but we know about it: up grade to a stop sign with a crossing road with no stop sign.
Clem Clement is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2019, 08:03 PM   #8
drolston
Senior Member
 
drolston's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Posts: 1,623
Default Re: Carb Spacer

Most vapor lock occurs from alcohol boiling in the fuel pump, because the metal pump is mounted close to the engine block with only a very thin gasket, and is in the back, partially shielded from cooling air. The fuel bowl in the carburetor may boil a bit after you shut down, as heat from the block conducts up to the carb. I use a phenolic spacer about half an inch thick to slow that conduction. All the V8 parts guys sell those spacers. The carb stays relatively cool when running because it has a constant stream of air running through it and through the manifold upon which it is mounted.
drolston is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2019, 08:08 PM   #9
fortyfords
Senior Member
 
fortyfords's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: faucett, mo
Posts: 419
Default Re: Carb Spacer

My 40 has a 97 Stromberg with a black spacer. I noticed that when I get home from town and open the hood; there are droplets of water on the carb base and the base feels cool to the touch.
fortyfords is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2019, 05:43 PM   #10
39portlander
Senior Member
 
39portlander's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Suth'N Maine
Posts: 1,996
Default Re: Carb Spacer

Clem here are some pics of my 39 peekup, that is the vented Shuman spacer below the 97.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_0026.JPG (98.2 KB, 66 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0027.JPG (117.9 KB, 72 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0028.JPG (118.6 KB, 66 views)
39portlander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2019, 08:34 PM   #11
mercman from oz
Senior Member
 
mercman from oz's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Queensland, Australia
Posts: 10,289
Default Re: Carb Spacer

"Stopped into GMs garage in Punta Gorda seven years ago and he was experimenting with a high temp plastic spacer on his '39 conv. He was checking the diff in temp between the carb and the intake with a heat sensor gun. I'm surprised he hasn't chimed in on the post. That's JM35s sedan in the bakground." Bill
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DSC00565 (2).jpg (56.1 KB, 42 views)
File Type: jpg DSC00566 (2).jpg (95.1 KB, 29 views)
mercman from oz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2019, 10:45 PM   #12
Tinker
Senior Member
 
Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,053
Default Re: Carb Spacer

Being that most modern vehicles have a complete plastic intake. It makes sense. Probably could do the same with aluminum, plastics are cheap and better suited in a way, hell you might be able to make it out of soybeans. With modern 3d printing and design you could really make one with complicated air movement. Lot of later model ohvs including ford had fiber spacers. Neat stuff.

Last edited by Tinker; 10-12-2019 at 11:28 PM.
Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2019, 12:38 AM   #13
Roger/Sacramento
Senior Member
 
Roger/Sacramento's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: PRINEVILLE, OR.
Posts: 490
Default Re: Carb Spacer

I made spacers out of 3/8 inch thick walnut.
__________________
KIM KARDASHIAN ISN'T FLAT, BUT MY MOTOR IS.....

http://s818.photobucket.com/home/roglehr/index
Roger/Sacramento is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2019, 06:31 AM   #14
39portlander
Senior Member
 
39portlander's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Suth'N Maine
Posts: 1,996
Default Re: Carb Spacer

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinker View Post
Being that most modern vehicles have a complete plastic intake. It makes sense. Probably could do the same with aluminum, plastics are cheap and better suited in a way, hell you might be able to make it out of soybeans. With modern 3d printing and design you could really make one with complicated air movement. Lot of later model ohvs including ford had fiber spacers. Neat stuff.
Hey Jess I noticed you had a youtube link below your reply, I thought it was on intakes. Bill Evans Trio, now that is some good garage time Jazz
39portlander is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:30 PM.