Opinions? WCFB Rebuild Kits

[Richard M.]

I've rebuilt a few dozen Carter WCFB's & AFB's in my time, along with other manufacturers including antique domestic & import cars, and even antique boat carburetors.

Please take a look at these 3 WCFB kits I have and comment about your thoughts, in particular, the fuel inlet needles and seats. Each of the 3 kits has different types. 2 types I've not seen before. Each also has 3 different accelerator pump types. I am concerned about the leather types.

Decisions.....decisions

Thanks,
Rich

http://s684.photobucket.com/albums/vv208/richmz/Misc/WCFB%20Carburetor%20Rebuild/WCFB%20Rebuild%20Kits/

Tomco


Daytona Parts Co



Classic Kit

[Stuart F.]

Re: Opinions? WCFB Rebuild Kits

Richard;

I have recently used a TOMCO kit in my AFB (purchased thru Eckler's). I strongly believe in their "Inlet Valves" over a standard needle and seat. I credit their use with helping reduce my fuel percolation problems in that I can run the floats lower and still get plenty of fuel flow as they have a larger orifice. They also flow the fuel through side holes as opposed to just the needle seat barrel. I have known/used them since the early 70's, but had not seen them again until recently (I thought they went out of business). One concern I did have about the side flow was that some of the fuel exits above the top plate gasket and many gaskets have just a couple of 1/4" vent holes. I have been cutting them out to permit more direct flow into the float chamber and still maintain a good gasket sealing surface. As to their other parts, such as the pumps, my pet peeve has been that most kits do not provide a new pump spring so you have to use your old one. This is fine except not all the pumps are designed the same and I have had to modify some old spring retainers to fit (from my parts bin).

It's been a while since I've done a WCFB, but I used to modify them for racing back in the day, including circle tracks. It can be done and they are lots of fun.

Stu Fox

[Roy B.]

Re: Opinions? WCFB Rebuild Kits

I like the original looking Daytona kit . After all if 50 or more years using original parts was OK why not now. But it's your Corvette.
O by the way what are you going to do when a JM has you remove the top lid for judging????

[Richard M.]

Re: Opinions? WCFB Rebuild Kits

Richard;

I have recently used a TOMCO kit......

Stu Fox

Stu, Thanks for the feedback. I had the Tomco and the Classic kit on the shelves as spares for my dual-four '59, and got the Daytona kit today from my Napa store for my friend's '59 WCFB. They order specials for me when I need.

I'm considering using the Tomco kit now based on your input. I've never used those "inlet valves" before but they seem interesting. Still uncertain. The Daytona kit seems a much better quality kit though. The Classic kit has a few nice features too.

FYI, I added some descriptions and the costs of each to the PB page link above in the opening post, but for reference they are:

Tomco - List $30
Daytona - List $70, cost me apx $44
Classic - I recall I paid about $40 at a swap meet last fall

Rich
p.s. I had some fun with WCFB's long ago too......changing jets and metering rods on the fly. What a PITA though. These aren't made to be opened too often. Had a few stripped threads in the main bodies because too many off-and-on's over time.

[Richard M.]

Re: Opinions? WCFB Rebuild Kits

I like the original looking Daytona kit . After all if 50 or more years using original parts was OK why not now. But it's your Corvette.
O by the way what are you going to do when a JM has you remove the top lid for judging????

Yes I see what you mean.......why change a good thing? I need to decide which one to use. BTW, this carb rebuild is for a friend's 59, not mine. I guess eventually I'll use the other 2 when my own 2x4 gets redone.

JM? We don't have to remove the lid, I have pictures!

Rich

[Roy B.]

Re: Opinions? WCFB Rebuild Kits

Stu, Thanks for the feedback. I had the Tomco and the Classic kit on the shelves as spares for my dual-four '59, and got the Daytona kit today from my Napa store for my friend's '59 WCFB. They order specials for me when I need.

I'm considering using the Tomco kit now based on your input. I've never used those "inlet valves" before but they seem interesting. Still uncertain. The Daytona kit seems a much better quality kit though. The Classic kit has a few nice features too.

FYI, I added some descriptions and the costs of each to the PB page link above in the opening post, but for reference they are:

Tomco - List $30
Daytona - List $70, cost me apx $44
Classic - I recall I paid about $40 at a swap meet last fall

Rich
p.s. I had some fun with WCFB's long ago too......changing jets and metering rods on the fly. What a PITA though. These aren't made to be opened too often. Had a few stripped threads in the main bodies because too many off-and-on's over time.

No need to remove the top or jets just the metering rod cover to change metering rods thickness

[Roy B.]

Re: Opinions? WCFB Rebuild Kits

Can this help?? I for got to add this.

[Richard M.]

Re: Opinions? WCFB Rebuild Kits

Roy,

Yes I'm familiar with how easy it is to change just the metering rods. It was changing the jets that was the pain. You could buy a kit from Carter with various pieces to tune. I had a buddy who made up jets on a mill and we experimented with them. I have some of these home made pieces stashed somewhere.

I have that 1st photo from you from long ago about the left turn stalls. Good info that you've always shared....thanks.

Rich

[Stuart F.]

Re: Opinions? WCFB Rebuild Kits

There goes one of my little secrets for circle track racers. Believe it or not, I had figured that one out on my own back in about 1958, but my bushings were not as pretty. I also "blue printed" the floats to limit the side to side travel without dragging or affecting the up/down travel.

I always began by "blue printing" the bases by fitting the butterflies which included hand lapping them in the throttle bores, then working the progressive linkage until I got positive sharp operation (to prevent any hesitation). As I recall, there was one fine rat trap spring on the primary shaft that I would wind in one more turn. I eliminated the secondary vacuum butterflies and plugged the shaft holes on the outside only. They were not needed after a good rework and sweetening of the jetting.

I also had a jetting chart that I would follow depending on the application and average ambients. I would pin point the metering rods and adjust them by bottoming, then backing up 1/32" so they didn't blunt the points in the bowl. I also mounted my carbs on Corvette manifolds (not for Corvette applications) using 5-1/4" spacers (1-1/4") with the cross cuts to pack up more manifold area for the 2 cylinders that run lean (the Vette manifold deficiency).

My dual WCFB set ups were used by a number of midwest drag racers and circle track guys in the late 50's and early 60's. I usually got about $150. per set up, and even traded some even up for some early Fuelie units.

Yes, WCFB's were fun, but I liked Rochester 2GC's and 4GC's because you could do much more modifying including boring out the venturis and reshaping the venturi clusters, etc. I once built a 4GC using a bored out 57 Chevy center section, a 59 Chevy 348 base (1/8" larger throttle bores), and an early Olds Rochester top that had larger primary choke plate and secondary openings, all within the same air horn circle as the 57. I used this on my 56 Chevy 210 post show car in which I had a 58 Fuelie engine. I had a 56 air cleaner on top, without the oil bath element, forming an air box and had a sheet metal friend graft on a round inlet so I could duct it to the Fuelie air cleaner situated to the left front of the radiator. That was my 1958 version of cool ram air system (and it worked great). I never missed the fuelie unit or dual quads after that.

Sorry to bore you with my trivia, but it's early morning and my mind wanders.

Stu Fox

[Donald H.]

Re: Opinions? WCFB Rebuild Kits

Can this help?? I for got to add this.

Roy, your first picture about left turns and stalling solved a 39 year old problem. Back in 1971 I had a 64 Impala SS that would die when I made a sharp left turn. I always had my hand on the key to restart after a left turn. I could not afford to have a professional look at it, so I rebuild the carb myself even though I had very little experience. The rebuild did not solve the problem, but the notes in your post probably was the correct solution.

Don Harris

[Richard M.]

Re: Opinions? WCFB Rebuild Kits

Great stories Stu! I'm a early bird too as you can see and the TDB and my coffee cup wake me in the morning.

Would love to see some old photos of the grafted airbox!

Below are a few pics of the pieces I just found buried in the stash. The 2 jets at the top are some stock Carter 120-233's primaries. The 4 at the bottom are the home-made primary jets we played with at the time. Also my favorite Carter book.......Rich

[Stuart F.]

Re: Opinions? WCFB Rebuild Kits

Rich;

Neat stuff. I have a copy of Dave Emanual's book copyright 2007 with a dark blue/black cover and an Edelbrock carb on the cover. I don't know if it is an update or just a reprint.

Your home made jets look pretty good. I still have my babies; numbered drill set that is. Back in the day, I drilled a lot and measured with them. Not the best way I admit, but much cheaper. I also have a set of very tiny drills that are gauged in decimals which are good for air bleed measurements.

We've made 5 moves in the past 15 years and still are not fully unpacked. Most of my old photos are still boxed up in our storage room. I shot a lot of
black and white as well as slides in the old days including my car days before the Army. We keep putting off a "go through" until the next cool season. Before our last move, I gave away many car parts to a neighbor who was into hot rodding. I thought it would be too hot here in Florida to do much tinkering, but was forced to tackle problems on my 63 due to the climate and the available gas problem.

When I get into my stuff and find something of value, I'll post some photos. My TLC (Thailand Laos Cambodia) friends are waiting on me as well.

Stu Fox