Question about old Carter AFB - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

75-K5 · 03-24-2004, 03:57 AM

I have an Edelbrock 550 on my c10 right now. It runs REALLLLLY rich, especially in the right bank. Since it is identical to a Carter AFB, my old neighbor thinks I should just put one of those on there. He has one that has only about 100 hours on a boat on it that he's willing to give me. I am a little skeptical about it because I've heard a few bad things about these carbs. What do you think I should do? He says it's a 400 cfm. That just doesn't seem like enough for even a stock 350, but he uses one on his 366 big block and it seems to run well. Any suggestions?

79BIG10 · 03-24-2004, 01:05 PM

I would take the Edelbrock you have and check the float. I bet it is the problem. Carter and Edelbrock are almost identical. Biggest thing you see on a Carter and not on Edelbrock is extra ports for the emissions. Look at both floats and clean it up while you're there. You can take the top off the carb whie it's on the engine. No need to take the whole carb off.

Lester · 03-24-2004, 01:49 PM

If you don't have a pressure regulator installed between the pump and the carb set at 5.5 psi the carb will always runs rich and idle funny...speed up and slow down.

Use a 4to9 psi holley regulator ($25).

Good luck.

MylilBowTie · 03-24-2004, 03:07 PM

HLY-12-803

Tom · 03-24-2004, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 79BIG10
Biggest thing you see on a Carter and not on Edelbrock is extra ports for the emissions.

Not true. They are identical, meaning theres versions like edelbrocks carbs for emmisions and versions with no emmisions stuff at all. I had to put a edelbrock top plate on my 600cfm AFB to get the bowl vent tube to pass emissions here.

79BIG10 · 03-24-2004, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom

Not true. They are identical, meaning theres versions like edelbrocks carbs for emmisions and versions with no emmisions stuff at all. I had to put a edelbrock top plate on my 600cfm AFB to get the bowl vent tube to pass emissions here.

You're right. The Edelborck 1400 is like a Carter model that has the extra ports. The other Edelbrock square bores don't have the emission ports. I'm so glad I'm exempt now

*mike reeh* · 03-24-2004, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 75-K5
I have an Edelbrock 550 on my c10 right now. It runs REALLLLLY rich, especially in the right bank. Since it is identical to a Carter AFB, my old neighbor thinks I should just put one of those on there. He has one that has only about 100 hours on a boat on it that he's willing to give me. I am a little skeptical about it because I've heard a few bad things about these carbs. What do you think I should do? He says it's a 400 cfm. That just doesn't seem like enough for even a stock 350, but he uses one on his 366 big block and it seems to run well. Any suggestions?

you sure about these flow rates? Never heard of a 400cfm AFB. But it could exist. The only time Ive seen 4 barrels with really low flow are olllld carter's that were for dual-quad manifolds. I would ditch the afb altogether and go with either a holley or a quadrajet, personally. As for the boat carb, was it originally built for a boat? because they're usually pretty wild and will be jetted fat for a lot of WOT use. I dont recommend using the boat carb. But it might be worth a shot. In the end your best bet is an edelbrock quadrajet

mike

75-K5 · 03-25-2004, 06:40 PM

Well he claimed it was a 400, but he might have just thrown that number out (he tends to make up numbers on the fly). I will just try to mess with the Edelbrock for now, and hopefully sell it on eBay or something and get a Quad, but then I'd have to get a different manifold, correct? Or can I just get an adapter. If I remember right, the AFB types are square bore and Quad's are spreadbore, but don't quote me on that. Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

*mike reeh* · 03-25-2004, 10:06 PM

that is correct. But a afb never came on your truck stock so it will be the "same emissions" (take the quote for what its worth).. If its passing with a afb, it will be ok with a tuned q-jet..

what kind of intake manifold do you have on the truck now? Since this body style of truck never came with a squarebore, it either has an adapter now or maybe it has an intake manifold that accepts both spreadbore and squarebore carbs, orrrr it just has a squarebore manifold period.

mike

75-K5 · 03-26-2004, 02:34 AM

It's a Holley dual-plane intake, so not stock. Emissions? What the fork is that? We ain't got no emissions in this hillbilly place.

How much do you think I'd be able to get out of that carb? It's only a 550 (at least I think it is, that's the little number stamped on the front passenger side "leg" of the carb). Is it worth anything at all?

*mike reeh* · 03-26-2004, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 75-K5
Emissions? What the fork is that? We ain't got no emissions in this hillbilly place

Hmm.. I swear when I was writing my last response, I looked down at the thread and you had typed something about wondering if switching carbs would change how you pass emissions.. (or something similar, in fairly bad english)..

Not to be rude but I think I either mistook someone elses post for yours, and/or someone went back and modified their post! I definately wrote that as a direct response to what I read.

Wierd, huh.

anyways.......... as far as a price for that carb it depends on what kind of shape its in and what the true cfm is.. if theres a zillion miles on it and its worn and crusty and loose, you probably wont get a whole lot for it.. check out ebay for the going rate

mike

03-24-2004, 03:57 AM	#1
75-K5 Bucket of Bolts Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 455	Question about old Carter AFB I have an Edelbrock 550 on my c10 right now. It runs REALLLLLY rich, especially in the right bank. Since it is identical to a Carter AFB, my old neighbor thinks I should just put one of those on there. He has one that has only about 100 hours on a boat on it that he's willing to give me. I am a little skeptical about it because I've heard a few bad things about these carbs. What do you think I should do? He says it's a 400 cfm. That just doesn't seem like enough for even a stock 350, but he uses one on his 366 big block and it seems to run well. Any suggestions? __________________ This is the project that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend....

03-24-2004, 01:05 PM	#2
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,775	I would take the Edelbrock you have and check the float. I bet it is the problem. Carter and Edelbrock are almost identical. Biggest thing you see on a Carter and not on Edelbrock is extra ports for the emissions. Look at both floats and clean it up while you're there. You can take the top off the carb whie it's on the engine. No need to take the whole carb off. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

03-24-2004, 01:49 PM	#3
Lester Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 84	Bet is not the float... If you don't have a pressure regulator installed between the pump and the carb set at 5.5 psi the carb will always runs rich and idle funny...speed up and slow down. Use a 4to9 psi holley regulator ($25). Good luck.

03-24-2004, 03:07 PM	#4
MylilBowTie Right turn Clyde Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 2,911	HLY-12-803 __________________ 1974 C25 LWB: 454 4bbl Carb / TH400 / 3.73 1992 Camaro RS 305 TBI

03-25-2004, 06:40 PM	#8
75-K5 Bucket of Bolts Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 455	Well he claimed it was a 400, but he might have just thrown that number out (he tends to make up numbers on the fly). I will just try to mess with the Edelbrock for now, and hopefully sell it on eBay or something and get a Quad, but then I'd have to get a different manifold, correct? Or can I just get an adapter. If I remember right, the AFB types are square bore and Quad's are spreadbore, but don't quote me on that. Thanks for the suggestions everyone! __________________ This is the project that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend....

03-25-2004, 10:06 PM	#9
mike reeh 5 day ban, learn to behave. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 684	that is correct. But a afb never came on your truck stock so it will be the "same emissions" (take the quote for what its worth).. If its passing with a afb, it will be ok with a tuned q-jet.. what kind of intake manifold do you have on the truck now? Since this body style of truck never came with a squarebore, it either has an adapter now or maybe it has an intake manifold that accepts both spreadbore and squarebore carbs, orrrr it just has a squarebore manifold period. mike

03-26-2004, 02:34 AM	#10
75-K5 Bucket of Bolts Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 455	It's a Holley dual-plane intake, so not stock. Emissions? What the fork is that? We ain't got no emissions in this hillbilly place. How much do you think I'd be able to get out of that carb? It's only a 550 (at least I think it is, that's the little number stamped on the front passenger side "leg" of the carb). Is it worth anything at all? __________________ This is the project that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend....



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