Carb spacers


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By PF Arcand - 13 Years Ago
Briefly, a friend has a 40 Ford coupe rod, unfortunately it has one of those unmentionable engines in it. Anyway, a basic emissions test is required here before a collecter licence is issued. (no, I don't know what standard is used for the tests?) After several failures, with a 600 Edelbrock, a mechanic told him that heat transfer to the carb was causing perculation. The carb spacer is aluminum. I suggested he replace that with an organic spacer as aluminum transfers heat quickly. But, I can't remember the correct name for those old style carb spacers? What was the material called? And are those type readily available now days?
By Rono - 13 Years Ago
Are you thinking of "Phenolic" spacers? ind of a black plastic type material. I think there was also a fiber type, but you couldn't put a PCV valve in those if he is running one with his current spacer. I don't know who sells either. I use aluminum ones.

Rono

By MoonShadow - 13 Years Ago
I thought the phenolic spacers were recommended because they DIDN'T transfer so much heat to  the carb! Which is it? I think someone here talked once about drilling through a phenolic spacer and epoxying a tube to go to their PCV. If the spacer is deep enough why wouldn't that work? Chuck in NH
By paul2748 - 13 Years Ago
Moon Shadow - you are right - the phenolic spacers keep the carb cooler. If he is using a Edelbrock carb, it has a place for the PCV and no need to drill the spacer
By PF Arcand - 13 Years Ago
Rono: Yes, Phenolic, that's the name I couldn't remember. Thanks. Chuck, I think you misread my blurb, but yes you are correct, phenolic spacers are intended to control heat transfer. Looked it up & apparently the material in part is made from benzene from coal tar & used in some plastic manufacture.
By Hoosier Hurricane - 13 Years Ago
Paul:

If he can't find an insulator, and it is truly the answer to his problem, one can be made from a close grained hardwood.

By 46yblock - 13 Years Ago
I am pretty sure I have seen aftermarket wooden spacers offered, maybe it was Moroso.  There are some inexpensive plastic (chinese) spacers on the market for insulating carbs from manifold heat.  I bought one and it was such an uneven piece of junk that it went into the trash quickly.
By charliemccraney - 13 Years Ago
Wood is the best for insulating the carb from heat.


By MoonShadow - 13 Years Ago
PF, You are correct! As usual I scanned the posting and misread it. Anyway I'm glad the name helped. John and Charlie are right about the wood spacer. Not that hard to make and a better insulator. I'm pretty sure Speedway has the Phenolic spacer and they usually have the best prices. Chuck in NH
By Nick Brann - 13 Years Ago
Hi Paul,  Edelbrock sells wooden carb spacers.  I'm using one on my 312 with a Carter AFB and a Blue Thunder aluminum intake.  The p/n on mine is 8725 and it is 1/2" thick.  It has two oblong holes, so that the front and rear barrels are connected.  I couldn't use the stock phenolic spacer with the AFB (600 cfm) without opening up the rear ports because the secondary butterflies would hit when they were opened up.  But they clear fine with the #8725 spacer.  Edelbrock also makes some with four holes and some that are 1" thick, I believe.  Good luck, Nick Brann - K.C., MO
By PF Arcand - 13 Years Ago
Nick: thanks will pass the info on, & thanks also to everyone who contributed...