Carburetor Choice

[saopm]

I’m looking to go with a new carb once I get my engine back together (see Dontov vs. 30-30 thread). I heard the Edelbrock Performer Manual Choke is a direct replacement for the AFB. Is this the best replacement? Will my current choke setup work with this carb? Also, will my PCV port plug into the carb like the original?

My AFB is not the correct carb for my motor so I don’t think I will be rebuilding it. It is for a ’64 300 HP.

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/carbs_acc/performer.shtml

Tim

 

[Ron Miller]

I’m looking to go with a new carb once I get my engine back together (see Dontov vs. 30-30 thread). I heard the Edelbrock Performer Manual Choke is a direct replacement for the AFB. Is this the best replacement? Will my current choke setup work with this carb? Also, will my PCV port plug into the carb like the original?

My AFB is not the correct carb for my motor so I don’t think I will be rebuilding it. It is for a ’64 300 HP.

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/carbs_acc/performer.shtml

Tim

I'm ready to be corrected, but I don't believe the Edelbrock will be a direct replacement for the AFB. It will bolt on, true enough, and linkage will work, but there is no provision for hooking up your present choke (I don't think).

The Edelbrock 1406 is the model with an electric choke, I just got thru installing one on my '66, but it requires an Edelbrock air cleaner base to clear the choke.

I'd consider rebuilding the AFB you presently have, can be done cheaper than replacing with the Edelbrock, and these are great carburetors, in my opinion.

My $0.02

 

[saopm]

I’m not sure what to do about the carb. I like the idea of a new carb fresh out of the box, but I want to keep my stock air cleaner. I might have to send my AFB out if there isn’t a good replacement for it. What is the difference between the ’64 300hp AFB I currently have and the ’63 340HP AFB I should have? Is the difference in the setup (metering rods etc.)? My experience with carbs is limited.

 

[critchie]

The modern Edelbrock AFB (I think they call it the "Performer".) is a clone of the 62-65 Corvette AFB. But the differences are important to you.

First is the air cleaner. 62-65 Corvette AFBs had 4 7/32" throats. Naturally, so did the air cleaner bases because that's what they fitted. All modern carbs, including the Edlebrock, have 5 1/8" throats. So your old air cleaner won't fit. So now you have to screw around with air cleaners. Which gets you into hood fitment problems because it's close in there. Which gets you into drop down bases which are different for AFBs than the usual ones made for Holleys. It just goes on and on. You solve one problem, and create 2 more. At the end, I had a bunch of Summit air cleaners that I ended up selling on EBay. I believe that in the day there were adapters to fit one style air cleaner to another carb. But I couldn't find them. And I don't see how they'd work because any adapter would raise the base, and there was no room to raise the air cleaner.

Second is the fuel inlet. They're in different places. So now you've got to bend and build a steel line from the fuel pump to the carb. Make sure you plumb in a filter. No cheesing out by using rubber lines. See the "solving 1 and creating 2" syndrome above.

Yes the choke, PCV, and linkage are different. But they're easy to solve.

 

[critchie]

The point of which is that in addition to finding it cheaper to rebuild your existing carb, you may also find it quicker and easier to do so.

 

[paul67]

The conversion is doable but can get a wee bit complicated and expensive as noted above. But once done the Edelbrock is very dependable. This is an Edelbrock #1406, 600CFM.

I have all the Holley parts and can convert back in about one hour if an originality notion strikes me.

 

[saopm]

Critchie - Good info. I see your point. Rebuilding might be the way to go. I’d really like to keep the stock air cleaner.

Paul67 – Nice Setup. Valve covers look awesome.

 

[Ron Miller]

I’m not sure what to do about the carb. I like the idea of a new carb fresh out of the box, but I want to keep my stock air cleaner. I might have to send my AFB out if there isn’t a good replacement for it. What is the difference between the ’64 300hp AFB I currently have and the ’63 340HP AFB I should have? Is the difference in the setup (metering rods etc.)? My experience with carbs is limited.

Don't think there would be enough difference in the two carburetors to make a significant difference. If there is a difference, it would be in the jets and metering rods, which are easy and cheap enough to change. Daily driving you'd probably never see a difference even without changing. Which is why if it were mine and I already had the AFB, I'd rebuild it. Easy enough to do yourself, or if you just don't feel comfortable, can be farmed out cheaper than you can replace the system with the Edelbrock.

Mine came with the Holley, which I wanted to get away from, so I used Pau67's system and advice as a model, but buying new and doing the labor yourself this route will run over $350, I believe.

 

[Vette66AirCoupe]

Paul,

Gorgeous engine, nice photography!

 

[critchie]

If you don't want to go the stock route, Paul's '67 would be a nice way to go. Beautiful.

 

[paul67]

If you go the Edelbrock route, let me know. It was a learning experience and I learned a few things about modifications along the way.

 

[Kid_Again]

I agree....Paul67, one very nice engine. The valve covers are super.

 

[saopm]

Paul – If I go the Edelbrock route I will definitely have some questions for you. I’m waiting to see how much the engine work is going to cost. I don’t have a set budget but I’m looking to keep the expenses within reason. I’m really liking your setup though.