I’m in the process of building a ’37 Chevy Tudor with a 292 Chevy 6. This is an old timey style hot rod, with a noticeable rake, due to the Heidt’s front end and big and little rubber.
I planned on using multiple carburetion, admittedly mostly for looks. So, I found a Clifford 2 X 4 manifold and paid more than I wanted to, but wound up with a good foundation for what I wanted to do.
The original plan was to use 2 Holley 2300 2 barrels, probably mounted sideways. When the manifold arrived, I started dragging out the various bits and pieces I had to see how this was going to go together, and what else I might need.
What I have is three 2300s. Of course, no two are alike. I have a 650, a 500 and an Economaster which I believe to be a 350. Now, all I have to do is buy another carb to match one of these. The 350 is the likely candidate, as the engine will be quite mild (still stock right now).
But here is the dilemma. The carb mounting surfaces are machined in two different planes. The front one has the flange tilted back about 2.5 degrees and the rear is tilted forward about a half degree. And, they are at slightly different heights.
None of this is rocket surgery. Having done this stuff for over 50 years, I’m used to the idiosyncrasies of hot rod parts (especially old ones). And as an old drag racer, I know sometimes you just have to make what you want. Fortunately, I have not mounted the engine permanently at this point. As it sits right now, the engine tilts down in the back about 4.5 degrees with the car at ride height and the stock carb level.
My questions:
How would you guys go about this? Would you start by machining the manifold to the proper angle and then make spacer/adaptors to mount the carbs? Or would you just make the adaptors (extra thick), bolt them on, and then machine the whole mess to the proper angle, then put the mounting studs in perpendicular to the top surface. I’d like to keep the tops in the same plane to allow a single air cleaner.
Would you mount the carbs centered over the manifold openings or bring them out and line up the outside of the throttle bores with the outboard wall of the plenum?
Also, anybody think that I should scrap the carb idea and put in dual throttle bodies? (EFI-DIY, I think I know what you will say.)
I might take this opportunity to level out the engine or even angle it down in the front to match the rake of the car. I have plenty of room to do this.
By the way, the carb mounting (no adaptors) is not square. It is approximately 3 7/8” X 3 3/4”. I think this might be the same as a WCFB.
Any other ideas are welcome.
Will post pictures if you like and updates as we go. This is not my top priority but I want to get a plan in place.
