The Ford Barn

'46Ford · 09-12-2019, 10:54 AM

Have a 292 V8, '56 Ford, 4bbl. All original, Has T-Pot Holley Carb, I rebuilt and continues to leak. What would be an alternative carb for this engine that would fit the stock manifold?

Jay in Mass · 09-12-2019, 11:19 AM

A Carter WCFB bolts onto that bolt pattern.

scicala · 09-12-2019, 11:19 AM

To me, the best thing you can do is repair the leak or have it repaired. If you change to a newer more modern carb (would need an adaptor to bolt it on), you start a chain reaction of things needed. In '56 the carbs had a unique and lower vacuum signal to the distributor diaphragm for spark advance. A max of about 4" of vacuum go to the distributor diaphragm. It's a combination of venturi vacuum and ported manifold vacuum. The distributors have no centrifugal advance and all advance is dependent on the signal from the carb. A later carb would involve swapping out the distributor also for a '57 through '64 Y-Block distributor to get proper spark advance.
If interested, I can help you with your carburetor leak issue. Assume it's leaking at the large round brass cap on top or the O-rings between the bowl and base for the fuel supply.

Sal

scicala · 09-12-2019, 11:31 AM

The only other carb out there that will bolt on and work with your distributor is the '56 Mercury Carter WCFB that is designed to work with your distributor (same as '56 Mercury). It was one year only though and fairly rare.

Sal

'46Ford · 09-13-2019, 07:36 PM

thanks for the info Sal. Yes it leaks at the o rings between the bowl and base. Is there a method to help seal that area? When it is not leaking, the engine runs fine, would like to keep it original.

scicala · 09-14-2019, 10:53 AM

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To replace the O-rings you need to separate the bowl from the base. To do that you need to remove the carb from the engine since one of the two screws that hold them together goes in from the center of the carb bottom side. The other screw that holds them together is right under the choke plates under the air cleaner ring. Then make sure the pockets for the two O-rings are clean and smooth so the new O-rings seal well.
There are other things that need to be removed also to accomplish this, that you will see as you proceed.

Sal

'46Ford · 09-19-2019, 07:04 PM

thanks Sal, i will try that.

09-12-2019, 10:54 AM	#1
'46Ford Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Hermann, MO Posts: 19	292 V8 carb alternative Have a 292 V8, '56 Ford, 4bbl. All original, Has T-Pot Holley Carb, I rebuilt and continues to leak. What would be an alternative carb for this engine that would fit the stock manifold?

09-12-2019, 11:19 AM	#2
Jay in Mass Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mass. Posts: 379	Re: 292 V8 carb alternative A Carter WCFB bolts onto that bolt pattern.

09-12-2019, 11:19 AM	#3
scicala Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Detroit suburb, MI Posts: 3,698	Re: 292 V8 carb alternative To me, the best thing you can do is repair the leak or have it repaired. If you change to a newer more modern carb (would need an adaptor to bolt it on), you start a chain reaction of things needed. In '56 the carbs had a unique and lower vacuum signal to the distributor diaphragm for spark advance. A max of about 4" of vacuum go to the distributor diaphragm. It's a combination of venturi vacuum and ported manifold vacuum. The distributors have no centrifugal advance and all advance is dependent on the signal from the carb. A later carb would involve swapping out the distributor also for a '57 through '64 Y-Block distributor to get proper spark advance. If interested, I can help you with your carburetor leak issue. Assume it's leaking at the large round brass cap on top or the O-rings between the bowl and base for the fuel supply. Sal

09-12-2019, 11:31 AM	#4
scicala Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Detroit suburb, MI Posts: 3,698	Re: 292 V8 carb alternative The only other carb out there that will bolt on and work with your distributor is the '56 Mercury Carter WCFB that is designed to work with your distributor (same as '56 Mercury). It was one year only though and fairly rare. Sal

09-13-2019, 07:36 PM	#5
'46Ford Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Hermann, MO Posts: 19	Re: 292 V8 carb alternative thanks for the info Sal. Yes it leaks at the o rings between the bowl and base. Is there a method to help seal that area? When it is not leaking, the engine runs fine, would like to keep it original.

09-14-2019, 10:53 AM	#6
scicala Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Detroit suburb, MI Posts: 3,698	Re: 292 V8 carb alternative Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) To replace the O-rings you need to separate the bowl from the base. To do that you need to remove the carb from the engine since one of the two screws that hold them together goes in from the center of the carb bottom side. The other screw that holds them together is right under the choke plates under the air cleaner ring. Then make sure the pockets for the two O-rings are clean and smooth so the new O-rings seal well. There are other things that need to be removed also to accomplish this, that you will see as you proceed. Sal

09-19-2019, 07:04 PM	#7
'46Ford Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Hermann, MO Posts: 19	Re: 292 V8 carb alternative thanks Sal, i will try that.