WCFB replacements for 57 dual quad

[Theodore K.]

Has anyone replaced the WCFB's on the dual 4 barrel 270HP engine with another brand 4 barrel? I think the WCFB was a 440CFM (going from memeory) carb so the pair should flow at 880 CFM. Getting jets, etc for the old Carter is harder and I am thinking about replacing the carbs themselves with a newer pair that would bolt right up to the intake. Of course that is more departure from original but this is a driver and several things are not original alreadyl Comments appreciated.

[Gene M.]

Re: WCFB replacements for 57 dual quad

Theodore,
One might be clever to remove the dual quad set up and set it aside. A single quad configuration and manifold swap will give you a wide selection of carbs to use. Anything from a Carter AFB, WCFB, Holley or Rochester, even a Q-Jet!

[John H.]

Re: WCFB replacements for 57 dual quad

Has anyone replaced the WCFB's on the dual 4 barrel 270HP engine with another brand 4 barrel?

Ted -

No other 4-barrel will fit the C1 2x4 WCFB manifold - it was designed specifically for the WCFB, and no other carburetor will fit it. WCFB's were 390 CFM.

[Steven B.]

Re: WCFB replacements for 57 dual quad

Ted, if you want to keep the WCFB's the carb sources that advertise in the Driveline have parts. I have used them before. Good Luck! Steve

[Tom B.]

Re: WCFB replacements for 57 dual quad

http://www.chucksmithandco.com/ has jets of all sizes and most any other WCFB part you could need. They built a set for a Hot Rod Magazine project a few years ago where they increased the cfm of the carbs considerably. If I remember right they modified the throttle plate with larger butterflies. The manifold was probably bored out to match also. Give them a call if bigger WCFBs are what you are looking for.

Tom

[Steven B.]

Re: WCFB replacements for 57 dual quad

Tom, aren't you supposed to be at work?

[Tom B.]

Re: WCFB replacements for 57 dual quad

You caught me. I woke up with the creeping crud this morning so I stayed home today.

[Steven B.]

Re: WCFB replacements for 57 dual quad

You caught me. I woke up with the creeping crud this morning so I stayed home today.

Uuuuugggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh--

[Tom B.]

Re: WCFB replacements for 57 dual quad

Pretty close but I never maid it to the couch. (And I only dream of when I had that much hair).

[Tom P.]

Re: WCFB replacements for 57 dual quad

At one time, there was a carb adapter plate (maybe made by Mr. Gasket?????????) which permited installing AFB carbs on a GM 2x4 manifold. The adapter plates were slightly offset to space them slightly further apart. I know this for a fact, because Joel Miller (are you out there Joel?) had me rebuild a pair of AFBs that he has had forever on a GM manifold. Unfortunately, it never occured to me to take pictures of the manifold/adapter plates/AFBs assembled together. If I think of it the next time I go up to Tulsa, maybe I can stop by Joel's and take some pictures.

[Tom B.]

Re: WCFB replacements for 57 dual quad

I remember those. I ran an AFB on my '56 Bel Air on the stock manifold with an adapter. The local Hires Auto Parts store had them in standard and offset. I don't think that the Mr. Gasket brand name existed when I bought mine. It seems like there was another company that either became or was bought out by Mr. Gasket.

Here's a straight up adapter but I haven't found an off set one yet.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Holley-Flathead-Carburetor-Adapter,5551.html

Tom

[Steven B.]

Re: WCFB replacements for 57 dual quad

You are correct Tom. I had thought about running AFB's in '66 and found the adapters through Hire's and J&G Speed Shop in Ft. Wayne and Standard Auto Supply in Detroit. Didn't do it because didn't have money for the carbs. Probably a good thing.

[Tom B.]

Re: WCFB replacements for 57 dual quad

You could buy a brand new pair of matched 409 AFBs at JC Whitney back then for around a hundred bucks. It seems like they were selling an intake with carbs, linkage and air cleaners for $139.95 for a small block. A lot of money at the time.

[Tom P.]

Re: WCFB replacements for 57 dual quad

You could buy a brand new pair of matched 409 AFBs at JC Whitney back then for around a hundred bucks. It seems like they were selling an intake with carbs, linkage and air cleaners for $139.95 for a small block. A lot of money at the time.

Whaddaya mean "at the time"???? It still is a lot of money!

[Tom B.]

Re: WCFB replacements for 57 dual quad

Point well taken. That's still more than my weekly allowance.