FWIW ... several observations from a non-expert.
1. Ghost-rider -- I do not know everyone personally who uses this site, but I *do* know Jerry personally and consider him one of my very closest friends. One of the things about Jerry I admire most (aside from his sheer knowledge) is that I *never* have to wonder what he thinks about something. He will give it to you straight (whether you ask him or not ...
) He personally supervised the rebuilding of my 261 (did a lot of the work himself in front of us). Most of my ensuing comments are based on my 4 years' experience living with that engine in my '49 1-ton. Jon (CarbKing) I have gotten to know over the many years of his participation in growing this site. I consider him *the* foremost authority on carburetors. The info and advice they offer freely is absolutely gold-plated. You will not get better advice. Anywhere. From *anyone.*
2. I do not understand any of the negativity regarding the Rochester carb. Admittedly, my Rochester experience and knowledge is based on two carbs... My carb has been performing flawlessly on my 261 (pushing a stock SM-420 and an HO-72 rear axle with a 4.10 ratio). My truck keeps up in traffic light traffic and will cruise the Interstate all day long at 65 MPH. Since Jerry rebuilt it on my workbench and we reinstalled it on my engine 4 years ago. I have not touched it since. Admittedly, I have to squirt a little fuel into it to start the truck if the truck isn't run for a couple of weeks. But that's life with an old truck. Some people hate these carbs, others love them. I am neither a hater or a lover -- mine works, I don't think about it.
3. I once messed with dual Webers on one of my VWs (a Type 2). It was truly a miserable experience. I never got them right. I gave up and went back to a single Solex and lived Happily ever after.
4. Over the years, I have watched a lot of guys come and go trying to do things that they are advised not to do. They seem to be looking for validation rather than useable advice. The ones who go against the advice of people like Jerry and Jon (and George and Evan and a host of other experts who grace this site). The ones who plunge ahead against advice ... a *very* few of them might return at some point to admit that they should have listened to the advice. Most of them disappear and never return. They are probably afraid to tell us, after a lot of wasted time and money. You'd think that if they persevered and succeeded, they'd want to come back and tell us about it. I wish they would. They never do. Which leads me to conclude they failed, probably gave up on their project and may have even sold it at a loss just to get away from their dismal failure. An overstatement? Perhaps, but it's not been disproven yet
Bottom line: I like the "Less is more" approach. Sometimes, the best approach, as Jerry has said before (despite his well-known disdain for "engineers") is to not attempt to out think the original engineers. They got it pretty darn right out of the box. We mess with it at our own peril....
Food for thought ...
Thanks,
John
