Air cleaner clearance on '64 w/Edelbrock

[jabrooks]

Hi all -

When we recovered our stolen '64 (after four years!), it had a 350 with an Edelbrock Performer intake and a Q-Jet in place of the original motor. Figures.

Anyway, we're getting the car back to be a daily driver. It runs well, but the Q-Jet always smells of fuel (fuel line is OK), and the choke doesn't work well. I understand these carbs can be great, but I'd rather find a bolt-on replacement till I have time to fool with rebuilding and learning about the Q-Jet (never seen anything with so many vacuum lines!)

I dropped an Edelbrock Performer 1406 - 600cfm w/electric chock - on it last nite, got it bolted, linked, and plumbed OK. But I;m having air cleaner clearance problems (wise heads are probably nodding out there, saying BTDT). The electric choke interferes with the current low- profile air cleaner, and the hood intereferes with the Edelbrock 14" cleaner off my '66 Mustang.

Anyone have any recommendations on a solution? Should I return it and get a Holley? Is there a different air cleaner that might work? Combo of spacers and cleaners and elements? Anyone solved this problem for themselves?

thanks - Jim

 

[jerrybramlett]

Unpopular answer

If you can return that carb, I would do so.

I have tried to make Edelbrock carbs work on several mid-years at the request of customers. I've never solved the air cleaner fit problem to my satisfaction. The stock air cleaner needs another 1/2" or so to clear the choke. That's if you install a turn-down banjo gas inlet fitting.

I've also encountered running problems that could not be solved through traditional carb tuning methods. Usually it's a slight hesitation when the car is floored in 4th while running about 50 mph. Yes, I worked with the Edelbrock tech people on this by changing accelerator pump linkage settings, metering rods, jets, metering rod springs, engine timing, and even rear end ratios. Some solutions fixed one problem but caused others.

My bottom line is that I don't recommend these carbs any more. I prefer the old Carter AFB's, God-forsaken high maintenance Holleys, and Quadrajets. Oddly, the new Edelbrock Q-jets work great. Go figure.

If you watch eBay, you can find an old Carter AFB that was stock on your 327. That will fit and run the best. Those old Carters are very rebuildable if you start with a nice, complete core.

 

[magicv8]

DZVETTE on the Corvette Forum posted pictures of his here:
www.corvetteforum.net/classics/magicmachine//apic5/aircl-pass.jpg and www.corvetteforum.net/classics/magicmachine//apic5/aircl-driver.jpg

PS his description is:
I have a new GM 350 Crate in my 65. Using the Edelbrock manifold, 1406 carb and their 1221 air cleaner. That air cleaner fits over the electric choke on the Performer carb. The kicker was I had to find a thinner filter element than what came with the Edelbrock 1221. I believe I picked up a Mr. Gasket filter at O'Reillys (about 1.5' tall (sorry at work and can't give a part no.). This combo fits under the hood of the 65 with about 3/4 inch to spare. I had the same combo on the 327 with stock manifold and it fit there as well.

I am using an old Carter AFB on my 350 - with a cut down cleaner base off an old full size Chrysler v8 car and a GM BB or MrGasket top (both work). That combo lets me use the 3 inch tall BB air cleaner element as seen here: http://www.corvetteforum.net/classics/magicmachine//apic5/350engine.jpg

 

[Grizzly]

Replacement Carb

Replaced my Holley on my 67 327/300 with 600 Road Demon. Works great. The only issue was with the choke linkage. Need a small dimple in base plate. Am using a big chrome air cleaner with 3" filter and still have over 1" clearance.

 

[jabrooks]

Thanks for the input, folks

Unfortunately, I'm stuck with the carb now, so on to see what else I can do. Kind of wish I had splurged with the Demon, but I read conflicting reports on the value for the added cost.

The 2" element + 3/4" spacer might be the trick - I'm heading down to the speed shop today to try out various bits and pieces.

MagicV8 - what exactly did you "cut down" off the Chrysler cleaner base? I'd sure like to keep the 3" element if possible.

Thanks again, folks!

Jim

 

[chevyford8]

I use that carb on my car. The air cleaner base is one that came with the car that was some replacement (cheap kind). I used 7 gaskets glued together to clear the throttle linkage. This limited my air cleaner to about 1.75 inch. Then I used a K&N 14 inch X-Stream Air Flow Top. I works well.