I'm pretty sure this topic has been discussed before.  Is it possible to use a duel quad manifold on a street Y block with modern carbs?  Will it fit under the hood of a 1955 Thunderbird?   I realize the carbs would have to be small and they won't be all that efficient, but they sure would look great on cruise night. A friend did this back in the day with WCFB carbs.  I imagine I would have to build adapters.  Anyone ever tried this?  How drive able is it?

Phil, I'm running dual four factory setup on my '56 Bird.  I'm using the factory teapots and oval factory air cleaner, and it barely clears the hood.  WCFBs probably would clear with appropriate small air filters.  Adaptors plus later carbs may cause clearance problems, I've never tried them.  I have no driveability problems. 

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

I hate T Pots and WCFBs are so expensive these days.  Any other alternatives?  I suppose I could use two small Holly 4 barrel carbs with an Edelbrock manifold.  Don't they mount sideways?

I found a thread from 6 years ago with some photos of these setups.  Looks like anything will work with some fabrication.  I wonder how they perform on a street car?

Phil, there were some Rochester carbs with the small bolt pattern used on some '50s and -60s GM cars.  I am not sure of any of the numbers on them, and they may be scarce.  I think Cad, Olds, Buick, Pontiac  had them on some engines.  I don't know about scrub.  Also, the Edelbrock versions of the old Carter AFB may have a small enough footprint to fit the engine and not be too tall with adaptor plates under them.  Maybe some old AFBs would work for you.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Thanks.  I built a 312 once with three little two barrels. I think they are carters.  I thought it made the engine look like a flat head. It ran pretty good.  I would run two teapots if they weren't so ugly and troublesome.  The Y block is such a pretty engine.   I'm looking for an impressive looking multiple carb setup where I can use new off the shelf carbs. It looks like adapters are the way to go.

Teapots work really good if redone by some one who knows these what they are doing.  Unfortunately, one of the best passed recently but I have heard good info about Hill's Restorations.  There is a guy on Ford Barn who says he knows these carbs.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Phil;
 You posted a picture of my motor in your post. The two Edlebrock carbs I'm using are #1404 mechanical choke (both wired open) and they are sitting on top of "Trans-Dapt" adapters that I port matched to the Edlebrock #257 intake. I did have the motor set-up on a dyno by a guy that used to work for Edlebrock and he figured out the jet sizes.  

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

Nice looking motor.  How do the two Edelbrocks work on a street car?  I assume you have a standard transmission.  Do you have a lot of hesitation or flat spots?  Did it take a bunch of tuning. Thanks!

I think I'm the guy from Ford Barn (scicala) your talking about that does Teapot Holley four barrel carbs. Been doing them a long time and guarantee all work. I agree that they do work well when done correctly. To fit under the hood of a T-Bird, besides the Teapot, you would need a carb that will bolt on the same pattern without using an adapter. The adapter adds height, and you don't have much room on a '55 - '57 Bird. You can use a Rochester 4GC or Carter WCFB from the early 50's Buick, Olds, Cadillac. They had the small bolt pattern.

Sal

Been running mine for over 4 years without any adjustments since using the unisyn. Bought my manifold with older adapters for AFB's but didn't use them as I found 2 matching number WCFB's at different times. They allow the 57-up distributor with ease. The Edelbrock manifold will allow you to run progressive linkage. I used some parts off a dual quad FE and made some. When cold I need to apply full throttle to squirt fuel in the front but that's it. Lost about 1 mpg. WCFB small base were used on Cad, Olds, Dodge, Ply, Packard, Buick, Merc, Lincoln. Mercs could stand some work because they were for Loadmatic distributors, but I don't know how. Ted did the Teapots for 57-up dists. I have a stock choke on the rear carb only. I made my own coil mount too.
There is a youtube I made 3 yrs ago running the system. If you buy new carbs WCFB's don't look that bad.
You are right about the visual.....everything looks good with multiple carbs on 50's engines and for me dual quads are the best


56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.