Air Cleaner adapter

[Daniel W.]

I'm running an Edelbrock Carb on an otherwise numbers matching 64 (300hp). (Had the original rebuilt twice by so called experts and it won't perform like the aftermarket). Is there any kind of adaptor that allows me to run the original Air Cleaner with the 4" hole to the Edelbrock 5" hole?
I'd like it to look right on top, and still keep the performance.

Dan in Maui

[Jean C.]

Re: Air Cleaner adapter

Dan, rather than fabricating an adapter, I would purchase a '64 327/300 air cleaner base and modify it to fit the 5" Edelbrock opening and any other parts of the base that may contact the aftermarket carb and the fuel line, etc. Shouldn't be a big task for someone with a bit of sheet metal savvy.
Best regards,

[Timothy B.]

Re: Air Cleaner adapter

Daniel,

What's the problem with the original AFB, it's the same carburetor? If you post some of your concerns about performance we can try to help so you can use the original.

Is the engine a all stock 327/300 with the stock camshaft, intake etc.

[Daniel W.]

Re: Air Cleaner adapter

Engine is all stock. The car has no power with the original on it. Almost like the secondaries are not opening. Twice I've pulled it and sent to Expert period rebuilders I've found in the NCRS Driveline. It looks great but just won't pull. I slapped the Edelbrock on as an experment and couldn't believe the results. Thus want to keep it on rather than fight the old one, pouring more good money after bad and or spending major dollars for another moldy oldy that may have some hidden internal problems that have not been detected during a rebuild.
In Maui, we have no NCRS chapter so even thou I'm number matching, it'll never be exposed to any scrutney. I've already made some appearance mods with wide Inke wheels and tires and a hidden sound system. Our top speed limit on the island is a short stretch of road that has a 50 MPH limit on it, so really why should I care. But I just do. One of the downsides to living in "paradise". Only place to exceed 50 is on the local drag strip, once a month several months out of the year.

Dan

[Timothy B.]

Re: Air Cleaner adapter

Daniel, If you invest a few dollars in a 1963 corvette shop manual there is a detailed section on AFB and adjustments. It could very well be that the secondarys are locked out because the linkage is not adjusted properly.

Don't give up on it because I think it's one of the best carburetors of the era. Look at the simple thinks first, is the throttle rod adjusted properly, opening the butterflys to the full open position with the lever against the firewall...

Have you had any gasoline problems in the past, there is a screen in the inlet that could be clogged restricting gas flow.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Air Cleaner adapter

also make sure the secondary air flap inside the carb is not stuck along with checking the secondary choke lockout.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Air Cleaner adapter

Some of the rebuilt/referbished carbs I've seen at swap meets are way over done. That is, they replate the linkages to look nice, but cause some linkage bind as a result and really don't look original (great for show but not go).

I agree with Tim. There is no reason you can not make an original work well. If it does not, then there is something wrong with it which can be fixed. I love the little suckers and have mine perking very well with just a little care and common sense. As for the Edelbrock, the only reason I'd consider using one is if I was running a much bigger engine and felt I needed more CFM, like that afforded by their 800 CFM model.

One of the main hangups with the original is with the choke. The pull off piston can get white corrosion which binds the piston in the cylinder and limits the linkage movement such that the choke won't pull off properly, effectively locking out the secondaries. I found myself having to clean it twice a year until finally I installed an electric choke conversion which provides both "push on" and "pull off" from it's bimetallic spring by capturing the linkage rather than just resting against it. For show, I can easily change the choke cover and connect the hot air tube to look stock.

Stu Fox