Opinions on a phenolic spacer in AZ
 

Ok guys I've searched on the forum and a few others around the internet, there are a lot of conflicting opinions and very few actual facts I can find, "To phenolic spacer or not to phenolic spacer". I've got a 71 GMC K2500 with a 350/TH350, I've currently got an Edelbrock 1406 and square to spreadbore adapter to the original cast-iron manifold which is leaking from the front water jacket/passage. I'm planning on swapping to a Weiand 8004 aluminum manifold and a Holley 80555C carb. I live in Phoenix, AZ... Am I going to need a phenolic spacer? If I do... Do I use the wood/composite (it looks like brown plastic? With wood shavings inside *shrugs*) one that came with the Holley? Or? TIA

Re: Opinions on a phenolic spacer in AZ
 

With a Holley you don’t need a phenolic spacer.
The float bowls being fore and aft need a heat deflector instead.
One like this.


https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h...SABEgJCa_D_BwE

Re: Opinions on a phenolic spacer in AZ
 

Will that work on a spreadbore like the 80555C?
Edit: Apparently I need Holley part # 108-69....that appears to be out of production/ discontinued... So looks like I might be making one... *shrugs* "Necessity is the mother of invention..."

Re: Opinions on a phenolic spacer in AZ
 

Thanks geezer for the tip and the link. I wasn't aware of a heat deflector as shown. Makes a bunch of sense!

Re: Opinions on a phenolic spacer in AZ
 

It looks to me that you would need this one that mentions specifically the quadrajet (speadbore) application:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/o...0211?rrec=true

Re: Opinions on a phenolic spacer in AZ
 

You Sir, Rock!! Thank you!

Re: Opinions on a phenolic spacer in AZ
 

Fel-Pro Carburetor Mounting Gasket - 60482

1/4 thick with a spacer to keep from over tightening it and deforming

Re: Opinions on a phenolic spacer in AZ
 

My truck had one of these. Worked fine in NorCal, we got high 90's but only a few days into the 100's, so AZ might be different.

Re: Opinions on a phenolic spacer in AZ
 

I've already experienced a few times the 1406 Eddy boiling the fuel even with the 1/2" square to spread adapter 120 dgrs exterior temps does some crazy stuff to carbs...

Re: Opinions on a phenolic spacer in AZ
 

Those aluminum spread bore to square bore adapters are heat sinks, they absorb heat. The same with the aluminum manifolds, but the benefit is that they atomize the fuel better. Try the 1/4" spread bore gasket with your manifold and carburetor choice, and see if that doesn't solve the issue. If not, I would ask Weiand what they recommend for Arizona temperatures.

Re: Opinions on a phenolic spacer in AZ
 

I have a Weiand 8004/Offy Spreadbore-Squarebore adapter/3/4'' phenolic spacer/Carter AFB 9635S [=EDL-1405] on a 350 V8 in a '71 GMC Jimmy in Tucson. It works good, even in the summer here.