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#1 |
Blue 67
![]() Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Western WA
Posts: 1,178
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Carb spacers
Hi There:
Would you explain to me what carburetor spacers do and how do determine if you need one and if you do, what size (height) you need? Can a carb spacer effect the engine run rich or lean? Sorry if this sound very simple question. Thanks
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1953 GMC 3/4 ton: current project 1967 C20: 5.3 voretc with T5 conversion, 4 wheel 8 lug disc brake 1972 Nova: my 4 door sport sedan! 5.3 voretc + T5 conversion. drivable project, FUN!! 1979 Camaro Z28: 5.3 vortec conversion with build TH350: drivable project, Fun to drive 1992 Camaro RS convertible (Z28 clone): 5.3 conversion with build T5: on going project 2005 Silverado 2500, 4x4 Duramax, original owner |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: El Dorado Ca
Posts: 3,374
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Re: Carb spacers
I use 1" plastic carb spacers to keep the carb cooler and help keep gas from boiling out of the carb, and also used to raise them to clear the manifold, if using an aftermarket carb on a stock manifold, etc. the spacer actually helps performance, doesn't make them run rich or lean, the jets do that
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#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Spring Hill, Florida
Posts: 465
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Re: Carb spacers
I recommend looking up a book called
"how to hotrod a small block Chevy'. In the book is a ton of good information including how the intake and a spacer affect performance. Amazon used books is my best friend for this kind of stuff. |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 65
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Re: Carb spacers
Here are a couple of articles that may help:
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/carburetor-spacers/ http://www.badasscars.com/index.cfm/...rod/prd425.htm What is the role of the truck? Street? Track? Both? What intake are you currently running? |
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#5 |
Blue 67
![]() Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Western WA
Posts: 1,178
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Re: Carb spacers
Thanks.
Truck has a 327 in it which came with it when I bought the truck many years ago. I don't know if it is original or not. The intake is edlebrock performer and the carb is edlebrock 1406. Truck is just street car.
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1953 GMC 3/4 ton: current project 1967 C20: 5.3 voretc with T5 conversion, 4 wheel 8 lug disc brake 1972 Nova: my 4 door sport sedan! 5.3 voretc + T5 conversion. drivable project, FUN!! 1979 Camaro Z28: 5.3 vortec conversion with build TH350: drivable project, Fun to drive 1992 Camaro RS convertible (Z28 clone): 5.3 conversion with build T5: on going project 2005 Silverado 2500, 4x4 Duramax, original owner |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 65
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Re: Carb spacers
I'm by no means an expert.
My understanding is that with an intake such as that you should have more than enough room in there without a spacer to meet reasonable (legal / close to legal speeds...) street applications. I suppose the big question is what are you trying to get out of the truck, and why do you think you need the spacer? In other words how is your current setup not meeting your needs? |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 500
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Re: Carb spacers
For folks who have the automatic a carb spacer will also change the angle of the detent cable to carburetor linkage.
So the one inch thick spacer sounds to me like it would be more work to sort out if it is an auto trans with the detent cable. |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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Re: Carb spacers
A fine idea in the summer if (a) you are boiling your fuel, or (b) decide you need more plenum volume.
It will, however, mess up your cold-start driveability because it can't warm the carb up. So you might wind up two-footing it for the first 10 minutes of driving, which I personally hate, so I invest in all of the right choke, pulloff, thermac, crossover, heat stove, and so on. If you're not having fuel boiling issues, I wouldn't mess with it. Unless you've already lost your cold start systems, then you can't make it much worse anyway. With a stock cam and stock carb and all the cold-start and driveability systems tuned properly, my truck runs more or less like it's a modern fuel injected truck. Except for the smell (no cats) you'd be hard-pressed to know it's "just" a carb. And I guess EFI with no cats would smell the same anyway! I bring this up only so that a carb spacer isn't the first step towards ruining driveability on something that might currently run well!
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1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 1,162
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Re: Carb spacers
I always use a carb spacer on V8's
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