What carb should I put on my 56-312 engine. The manifold is set up for a 4 bbl.Thanks.

If your 56 is stock, it should have an ECZ-A small-base intake manifold and a Holley 4000 "Teapot" carburetor. It should also have a "Loadomatic" vacuum-advance-only distributor. The distributor cannot be used with a 57-up carburetor. If you install a modern carburetor, you will have to replace the Loadomatic distributor with a 57-up distributor that has both vacuum and mechanical advance. The Teapot carburetors are rated approximately 390 cfm. The 57 carburetors were rated approximately 407-415 cfm. If your engine is stock, I would look for carburetors in the 450-500 cfm range that have vacuum secondaries.  

I feel like there's a helpful youtube video about this topic

Thank you. I currently have a Holley 4160. I had it rebuilt. I am not happy with the idle and would like more vacuum?
Do I need to replace the Distributor if I have a 4160 now, with an upgraded Hiolley or Edelbrock?
Thanks. Harold

It depends on what style intake is on the engine, and is it a restore/driver and how you want it to perform.

You can use a H4000 or WCFB (ECZ-A INTAKE) but the LOAD-O-MATIC DIST has to go (save it). The H4000 can be modified to work with a later DUAL ADVANCE DIST.

If you want a later style carb, you will need a ECZ-B or aftermarket intake or a carb adapter. Be advised the 'B' carb pad bores will be 1 1/2". This will restrict which carb you choose as to the carb throttle body bore size. You can buy a throttle bore transition spacer.

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Back when I had my old '55 Club Sedan with 292, I swapped to the newer distributor and ran an adaptor for the smaller ECZ-A and stuck an Edelbrock 500 on top and it was great.  

With the 4160 you have now, you should have the 57 and up distributor  .  Any upgrade will require the same distributor. With the 4160 on it now, you need not change the intake if you use an  Edelbrock, other Holley , Summit   carb as the intake you have has the later bolt pattern.

te]Skyliner57 (12/14/2024)

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