what's the best (simplest, most reliable) carb? (auto, salvage, truck)
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I just bought a Ford truck with a 400ci motor and an Edelbrock Performer 400 manifold. I looked it up and the most common carb that fits it is a Edelbrock 1406. I'm shopping on ebay and they're not bad in price. I was wondering if I'd be better off getting a Holley or (other brand) that would be easier to work on (rebuild) and would fit the same or would be worth getting an adapter. Any advice?
I would go with the Edelbrock for a regular driver where maxium performance is not needed. The earlier factory Autolite 4100 four barrel is one of the best and the ones that came off the larger FE Ford engines would work great on a daily driver 400 but they don't seem to be too common. The most simple and reliable of all is the Autolite/Motorcraft 2100/2150 two barrel which is what I have on my 400 in my pickup.
On the Edelbrock, if you want the electric choke version, get the 1407. It's the same as the 1406 but with the electric choke. The 1406 has a manual choke.
I'm going to check out the salvage yard and try and find something cheap to start off with. I know a 1406 will fit the manifold from just looking at ebay.
Something you may not know about the 400 along with the 351m and 351 Cleveland is they require a bypass style thermostat. The auto parts stores usually give people the wrong kind which means the engine dosent cool properly with the regular thermostat. The Robert Shaw 333-192 and the 333-180 are the right ones to use and can be found online. I think Summit sells the 180 degree one.
My dad had an Edelbrock on his 69 Camaro and it was trouble free.
As far as "factory" carbs go, out of all of the old cars I have owned, the Quadra-jets on GM cars (but since you have a Ford, you dont want one of these on it, LOL) are good and the Carter/Motorcraft on the Fords were good.
I have heard nothing but bad about Holley carbs. My grandpa had one on his '56 Ford and it would always sputter, backfire, gush out gas out of the top, shoot out flames, etc. Even after rebuilds, etc. Seemed to me to be a common trend for these (not just on his, but from what others had told me as well).
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Great advice
Even after rebuilds, etc. Seemed to me to be a common trend for these (not just on his, but from what others had told me as well).