4 barrel manifolds

[russcc]

Interested in the Fordbrainers collective experience with 4 barrel flathead manifolds. I would be running it on a 59L 3&5/16" X 4", with a L-100 or 1007B cam in a '40 coupe. Are their any performance difference between any of the older, common 8BA type manifolds, like Edelbrock or Offy. I would prefer an older original Navarro, but they don't seem to be available, and I don't want to buy a new one.

[lonewolf]

Google hot rod flathead Ford intake smack down...the offy was the best if I remember correctly..

[51 MERC-CT]

Can't say if the Offy is the best but that's what I am running.
Started with a 390 Holley and dumped it for a 500 CFM Edelbrock. (better tune ability)
The only anomaly with the Offy is that the generator mount flange is offset 7/8" to the drivers side.
And I didn't buy the manifold new.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by lonewolf

Google hot rod flathead Ford intake smack down...the offy was the best if I remember correctly..

That's a pretty good article for comparisons. Click the link! DD

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...old-smackdown/

[Ol' Ron]

Yes, the 500 Edelbrock is very tunable, and with a SBC dist gives good power and great
economy. Start with the #8 jet pack

[Charlie ny]

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russ,
Count me in on the Offy 4 brl intake........of course I really lean to the
ancient Rochester 4 Barrel carb on top.
Modern wise the 500 cfm AFB/Edelbrock carb kicks butt....OMHO.
Charlie ny

[scooder]

Ron,
Didn't Richard end up with the #11 setup?
Ruscc,
That manifold test is an eye opener. They didn't optimize timing for the individual setups, so there was performance left on the table. If you read John's book (JWL), he dyno'd a couple of 4 bbl manifolds and some dual 2bbl's, there is a quite a significant power difference (relatively) with ignition timing optimized for different setups.
Its all in the book, if you ain't got it, do so.
Martin.

[36coupe]

Not to high jack the thread but I have a nos 500cfm Rochester 2 bbl from the late 70s. Would that be a good flathead carb?

[russcc]

Thank you all. I originally read the flathead manifold test in HRM, but forgot about it. Thank you for the reminder. I have John's book, so I will dig it out and check the tests.

[tubman]

Originally Posted by 36coupe

Not to high jack the thread but I have a nos 500cfm Rochester 2 bbl from the late 70s. Would that be a good flathead carb?

It's probably a "Large-base" 2GC and you will probably have to stack adapters just to get it mounted. A better bet would be a "Small-base" 2GC from the late '50's early '60's. These will bolt right on to a Merc four bolt manifold, but the throttle bores are larger than the manifold. I have this set up, and I bored the Merc manifold out to match the 2GC. I had enough "meat" in the manifold. I hear you can't bore a Ford manifold out that far without hitting the exhaust chamber. Mount it backwards, and the linkage, fuel line, and automatic choke (yep, Merc's had them) will almost fall into place.

[36tudordeluxe]

Edelbrock 500 & intake works great.

[tubman]

Edmunds and Fenton also made 4 BBL manifolds (I have one of each). I am planning on running period carbs (4G and WCFB) on them. I heard somewhere that the Fenton was the best of the lot, but don't quote me on that. I had an Offenhauser with a 390 Holley on a 276' Merc in a '36 that worked just fine.

[Straightpipes]

My 35 coupe is a period correct hotrod which requires old school. I have a Fenton with a 4 jet Rochester.

[Tim Ayers]

Curious, when was the first 4 bbl. intake offered? I would think around '55-ish since that was when i think the Carter and Stromberg 4 bbls. entered the market. Did they come out earlier with the Rocket 88's?

Seems to make a lot of sense and I've seem them look cool on some motors. One guy put an old Vette chrome louvered air cleaner on his. Hid the intake and about 1/2 of the engine, but it looked cool.

[Ol' Ron]

Yes, I guess I'm getting old and the brain isn't working well any more, so I'll refrain from making suggestions. One thing you should consider when using a 4bl on the flathead is at least an inch spacer under the carb. If your using the hat carb and have to use an adapter make it a 4 wholer amd batch the manifold to the adapter. This will improve low and mid range throttle response. Unfortunately, it's alittle much for a stock engine. Stick to the 2GC

[Charlie ny]

Tim,
To my ancient knowledge 4 barrel carbs were introduced in '52 adapting
WW2 technology developed for aircraft. Hard to realize those monster radial engines
being fed by a carb, the krauts of course utilized Bosch F I.
My favorite 4 barrel based on ease of tuning and overall simplicity is the
Rochester. I'll say the Stromberg and Carter were more sophisticated using metering
such and such but I like the boat anchor technology of the Rochester.
Gotta use an A/F meter to get these operating in a happy range......anyway
I do.
Charlie ny

[JWL]

As already mentioned, my book contains the real facts about manifold performance. And, I too like the Rochester carb. I was able to buy one, nicely restored, from Richard(in Fl.) which was originally used on a Cadillac. My preference for the Rochester is not related to "best possible performance".

JWL

[scooder]

Ron,
Never stop making suggestions please. I remember stuff arse about face a lot, an I'm only half your age. I've said it before, it's your book that started my flathead life many moons ago. Your knowledge and experience is beyond amazing, so don't stop.
The first 4 bbl manifolds came out in 52, a couple of months after the carbs them selves became available.
Martin.

[scicala]

"Curious, when was the first 4 bbl. intake offered? I would think around '55-ish since that was when i think the Carter and Stromberg 4 bbls. entered the market. Did they come out earlier with the Rocket 88's? "


Carter WCFB, Rochester 4G and Stromberg 4G four barrel carbs all came out in '52.
The Stromberg was available on Buicks. The other in '52 was Cadillac. In '53 a lot of other makes had 4 barrels, including the first Holley teapot on the '53 Lincoln.

Sal

[scicala]

Sorry, the Stromberg 4 barrel was a 4A (not 4G).

Sal