Carbs on 54

[Walter F.]

I was told that the 53 and some 54 Blue Flame 6 carbs were bolted on sideways and leaked fuel. That the carbs were put up right to stop the leaking of fuel. Was the third carb removed as pictures only show two pods on top? Did that effect performance? The Corvette black book says all 54's from number 002523 got the up right carbs. Since only 3600 54s were built does the number in the black book mean most all 54's had there carbs sideways?

[Jim L.]

Re: Carbs on 54

Every '53 and '54 I've ever seen had the carburetors mounted right side up, just like they are supposed to be. They wouldn't work if mounted sideways. I have no clue what the black book is referring to. Is there a picture?

Jim

[Tony R.]

Re: Carbs on 54

All 53 and 54 had three carter side draft carbs. They were sideways mounted. Part way through 54 production an assembly was added that conducted the airflow through two air filter housings. So that may have made it look like there were two. But there were still three carbs. 53 and a portion of 54 cars had the three chrome ‘bullets’ - one on each carb. These were not much of an air cleaner, but would hav kept some debris out. The reason they had side draft carburetors was because the passenger car setup with an upright carburetor would have not fit under the corvette hood.

One issue in this thread may be the use of the term “sideways”. You can’t just change the orientation of a carb like that and expect it to work. The carters were side draft carbs.

[Chris S.]

Re: Carbs on 54

all corvette blue flame carbs sit sideways.

[Troy P.]

Re: Carbs on 54

Excellent explanation. I do also think he is seeing the twin pot air cleaner when serves all three carbs.

[Jim L.]

Re: Carbs on 54

Excellent explanation. I do also think he is seeing the twin pot air cleaner when serves all three carbs.

That must be it. Because even side-draft carburetors have to be mounted right side up to function. Mounting them sideways simply would not work.

[Troy P.]

Re: Carbs on 54

Just to clarify... the carbs are designed to be side draft. That means to lay horizontal. Does not mean they were upright carbs that were turned on their side. That would not work as the fuel bowl has to lay in the proper direction for the floats to work.

BTW, I have car buddies into 20s and 30s cars and learned that back in the day there were updraft carbs sitting low on the engine (which didn't work very well). Typically we see downdraft carbs sitting up high and our sidedrafts are rather rare in comparison. Our Carter carbs were also used in boats to maintain a low profile to fit under the engine hatches. Also in horizontal engines like the Corvair.

[Bob K.]

Re: Carbs on 54

The Carter carbs for the 53-55 were model YH. The Y means 1 bbl, and the H stands for horizontal. The difference from 53-54 is in the shaft . The 53 has the short shaft and takes different linkage. Also they had a brass strainer nut. The 54-5 cabs shafts were longer, and took the more common style linkage. They had the aluminum strainer nuts. The 2 Carter # 2366s early type. The later carbs are #'s 2366SA.