Carburetor Repacement Choice

[CCCC]

Not a carb expert, but usually manage to clean/rebuild/adjust and keep them working well as needed. I am not looking for high performance at this stage - simply want dependability and no hassle for old Chevs that sit a lot and mostly are driven for fun on occasion - with a bit of work mixed in.

Although I did need to do some cleanup/rebuild due to residual effects of stored ethanol, the Quadrajets have been very good and I like their performance. But rebuilding - not so easy in my experience.

I have decided to give up on the Holley versions that came with vehicles here - original on a 1967 327/350; aftermarket on a 1968 327, and; another on a 1969 327.

I have installed/tried a rebuilt Carter AFB on the 1967 and so far, so good - actually very good. And, I found it easier to rebuild and tune in than the Quads. Has that been your experience?

For the described needs, would you go with original Carter AFBs and rebuild, or the later AFB types as produced by Edelbrock/etc. (have gotten mixed reviews on those types) or buy some specific one new? Or what?

Open to all views and suggestions. Thanks for reading.

[72SB]

I have used Edelbrock on both Ford & Chevy SB and find they are easy to work on and pretty much plug and play right out of the box for stock motors. Heads and cam builds I get the carb tuning kit (metering rods, step up springs and jets). I use the 1406 600 cfm

[Wrenchbender Ret]

It's hard to beat the AFB/Edelbrock carbs for reliability & drivability.
I like the Q-jet added fuel mileage.

George

[MikeB]

Keep that AFB! At least a couple versions were standard on the 300hp/327 back in the mid-late 60s.

These guys know AFBs really well, and like them better that Edelbrock semi-copies: The Carburetor Shop. https://www.thecarburetorshop.com/

I'm sure they have custom made rebuild/repair kits for your exact carb.

From their website: "We make our own carburetor rebuilding kits. All components of all kits are made in the U.S.A. We currently have listings for 82,000 carburetors, and offer more than 10,000 different rebuilding kits."

[54blackhornet]

Mike your have knowledge on late model AFB’s ? I have a 307 with the 2GV carb, thinking of switching to the AFB I took off a parts truck I scrapped. Any thoughts ?

[davischevy]

I have two Edelbrock carbs that were on the engines when I bought the rigs and they work great.

I send my Quadrajet carbs to Custom Rebuilt Carbs. I have been very happy.
https://www.customrebuiltcarbs.com/

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by 54blackhornet

Mike your have knowledge on late model AFB’s ? I have a 307 with the 2GV carb, thinking of switching to the AFB I took off a parts truck I scrapped. Any thoughts ?

I haven't run an AFB or worked on one in 40+ years. The 60s and 70s Carter AFBs were configured for individual GM and Chrysler engines, so there were several model numbers. Some time later, Carter started selling generic carbs, but I don't think they are being made anymore. The Edelbrock Performer carbs are similar to the original OEM Carters, but not identical.

I used to buy and sell used Edelbrock carbs, so I know them pretty well. The 350 in my pickup has a #1406 that has been on the truck for nearly 20 years. It was looking nasty, so I recently refreshed it using a real Edelbrock kit. I found the jets and metering rods to be stock. Can't remember if the springs were stock, but since the carb worked so well, I didn't change a thing during the rebuild. It hadn't been touched in 10+ years, so I simply cleaned it up and put it back together with new parts from the kit.

My thoughts? If your 307 is stock, I'd get a Performer EPS or Weiand Street Warrior manifold, both of which work well with otherwise stock engines. Ideally, I'd use a 500cfm carb on a 307, probably an Edelbrock Performer. However, those cost more than the 600s. Go figure.

But there's really no reason a 600 wouldn't work just fine. They are models #1405 (manual choke) and #1406 (electric choke). Your 2GV has a choke controlled by manifold heat, so you will need to find a 12 volt "ignition on" power source for the electric choke. "They" say you shouldn't use the 12 volt wire connected to the coil, but I've done it with no problems that I could detect. I would also buy an Edelbrock #9266 heat insulator gasket, which helps to keep engine heat away from the float bowls.

Once bolted together, all you should have to do is adjust the idle speed and idle mixture screws. And if the engine hesitates a little off-idle, then advance the initial timing a few degrees. There's an excellent owner's manual that comes with Edelbrock carbs. It will help you fine tune the carb if necessary. It's even on-line: https://www.edelbrock.com/media/wysi...ers-manual.pdf

Have to add this: When I bought my 69 C10 back in the late 1980s, it had a stock 307. I always thought it was sluggish and sounded strained at highway speeds. The first mod I made was adding dual exhaust with generic turbo mufflers, which made a noticeable difference. Later I installed a stock cast iron Q-jet manifold and topped it with a 450cfm Holley Economizer Q-jet replacement carb (no longer available). The engine really came to life with the carb and exhaust. I mean, it was like it had gained 50 horsepower!

I've always wished I would have kept the 307. With more compression and better heads, it would have been a great little engine. After all, it's a stroked 283, which would have been considered high performance before the 327 came along.

*** It just occurred to me that the new Edelbrock AVS2 carb has several advantages over the 1405/1406 models, and it doesn't cost much more. That's certainly what I'd go with today.

[jeffahart]

If you are ever out in Phoenix you can pop in on Bruce at https://www.carburetorsunlimited.com. He set up an idle solenoid for me on my qjet. I hated the drop in idle RPM when turning on the AC. Anyhow, give him a call afternoon and see if he can do a rebuild for you. He's been around and knows his carbs.

Good luck,

j

[CCCC]

Great posts here - I'm learning some new things about the Carter AFBs and a lot about the later Edelbrock versions.

I received a cautionary comment a few weeks ago and do not know how to take it. Was there ever a time period (or carb numbers) in the Edelbrock versions of AFB where the material (metal/alloy) of the carb was somewhat substandard leading to dependability issues? If so, when would that have been and when corrected? If that was not an accurate caution, I would like to know.

Please keep the good info coming. Thanks

[CCCC]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

If you are ever out in Phoenix you can pop in on Bruce at https://www.carburetorsunlimited.com. He set up an idle solenoid for me on my qjet. I hated the drop in idle RPM when turning on the AC. Anyhow, give him a call afternoon and see if he can do a rebuild for you. He's been around and knows his carbs. Good luck,j

Thanks. Just talked with Bruce - he does know carbs. He can provide an AFB with EC or an ED 1406 for about $400.

Anyone know what a guy can expect to pay otherwise from other reliable sources?

[tim_mc]

I love my Edelbrock 1905 AVS2 (650cfm), upgraded from a 1405. Starts quick, idles great, easy to tune. Throttle response is awesome. The annular primaries with 8 holes that atomize the fuel is a marked improvement to the AFB/Performer carbs.
https://www.edelbrock.com/avs2-carburetors

[DDassow01]

That's great to hear. I just got an Edelbrock 1906 to replace a very old 1406. Hoping to get a little better throttle response. Now waiting for it to stop snowing and warm up so I can put it on and try it out.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by DDassow01

I just got an Edelbrock 1906 to replace a very old 1406. Hoping to get a little better throttle response. Now waiting for it to stop snowing and warm up so I can put it on and try it out.

Please let us know how you like it. Heck, even Holleys that cost more don't have annular boosters. I have my eye on one to replace my very old 1406. For no reason other than it's new and cool!

[palallin]

I've run a 1406 for just under 30 years, now (Geeez! Has it really been that long?). Lots of respect for this carb.

I hope to have the time and $$$ to go back to a Q-jet some day, not because I am really dissatisfied witht he AFB clone but because I want to go back closer to stock.

[72SB]

I am sure you can find bad comments about any carb. I have had 3 different Eddy 1406 carbs on cars over the last 20 years, never had a problem with any of them.

The one I have now is on my 357 in my 67 Camaro which makes over 400HP. I had it on my 327 before that. its 4 years old now. Just changed jets and step-up springs for the higher HP 357. To me they are dead simple and easy to work on and tune. The owner's manual is very detailed.

Holly guys like Hollys, which are good carbs, but can be more "fussy" some feel.

[jimijam00]

Carter, Edelbrock, Holley, Rochester? It's like picking a soda...

[OregonNed]

I've had great luck with the Edelbrock on my 327 - even happier with the 500 CFM I switched to, though.

[54blackhornet]

I would like to install the AFB I have on my 307. Can anyone confirm I would need to replace the accelerator cable going from a 2GV to the AFB.

[54blackhornet]

Mike thanks for all the great information you provided, explains a lot …Jack

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by OregonNed

I've had great luck with the Edelbrock on my 327 - even happier with the 500 CFM I switched to, though.

I rebuilt the 327 in my '36 Ford Coupe and put on a Barry Grant Road Demon Jr. Couldn't make it run. Put on an Edelbrock 1405. Couldn't make it run. I thought what the heck? A friend of mine had an Edelbrock 1403 500cfm and he said put this on and try it. It was bolt on and go, I didn't have to touch it and the car has been running great ever since. Like you, I am really happy with it.....

LockDoc

[OregonNed]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

I rebuilt the 327 in my '36 Ford Coupe and put on a Barry Grant Road Demon Jr. Couldn't make it run. Put on an Edelbrock 1405. Couldn't make it run. I thought what the heck? A friend of mine had an Edelbrock 1403 500cfm and he said put this on and try it. It was bolt on and go, I didn't have to touch it and the car has been running great ever since. Like you, I am really happy with it.....

LockDoc

Mine just runs amazing since the switch!

[CCCC]

Thanks to all who chimed in here - and especially for the first hand experiences as well and the detailed tech info in some cases. Folks like you make this site worthwhile for a guy who truly needs info/advice. I will sort, purchase, and be all set. Thanks again.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by CCCC

Not a carb expert, but usually manage to clean/rebuild/adjust and keep them working well as needed. I am not looking for high performance at this stage - simply want dependability and no hassle for old Chevs that sit a lot and mostly are driven for fun on occasion - with a bit of work mixed in.

Although I did need to do some cleanup/rebuild due to residual effects of stored ethanol, the Quadrajets have been very good and I like their performance. But rebuilding - not so easy in my experience.

I have decided to give up on the Holley versions that came with vehicles here - original on a 1967 327/350; aftermarket on a 1968 327, and; another on a 1969 327.

I have installed/tried a rebuilt Carter AFB on the 1967 and so far, so good - actually very good. And, I found it easier to rebuild and tune in than the Quads. Has that been your experience?

For the described needs, would you go with original Carter AFBs and rebuild, or the later AFB types as produced by Edelbrock/etc. (have gotten mixed reviews on those types) or buy some specific one new? Or what?

Open to all views and suggestions. Thanks for reading.

I like the Carter AFB I have on my '71 GMC Jimmy w/350 V8. The truck originally had a Q-Jet, but I did not know any better, and swapped it in as a core on a [poorly] rebuilt Q-Jet from Checker Auto. That one, I couldn't tune, so a buddy gave me a Holley 780 CFM double pumper, and I proceeded to thrash that engine til it sucked valves on both banks. In '99 I replaced the whole engine with a 350 Mr Goodwrench crate motor and got a new Carter AFB Competition Series carb, 600 CFM. 24 years later, it's still good. Edelbrock components are the same, they called the AFB, the ''Performer.''
I think of it as an EDL-1405.
When I rebuilt the 292 L6 on my '68 C/10 Stepside in 2005, the Holley R8007 390 CFM 4160, wouldn't hold a tune after a 25 year run. Federal Mogul, who had been selling the Carter AFB Comp Series, had dropped out of the carburation business, so the only game in town was Edelbrock.
I put an EDL-1404, 500 CFM 4-bbl on an Offy intake with Clifford headers.
That 292 roars...
Great design.

[PbFut]

Late to party but will share. I have a Edelbrock 1905. That is a 650cfm avs2 variant. I know almost nothing about carb tuning. After a head and cam change I was running pretty rich. Bought a tuning kit. A bit pricy for what you get but it was easy to learn and perform. I also had a wide band laying around. It was really helpful in the tuning process as I could see real time what AF ratio the carb was providing under all conditions. The wide band made it stupid simple.

[Palf70Step]

I've never had much luck with the Rochesters. In the 60/70's it was Holley for performance/race applications and Carter for daily drivers. Been using Edelbrock (formally Carter) and have no complaints. I had my first Holley in like 40 years on the truck and it was good, but it broke (literally broke) and went to the Edelbrock 1406 the was on the shell. Popped it on the 350 and she purs with out even touching it. I still sorta feel Edelbrock for drivers, Holley for the power.