The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 4 bbl carb

I bought a 50 chevy 6400 a few days ago. It has according to the casting #s a 58-62 261. Does anyone know where to buy a 4 bbl carb and would i have to change intakes or use an adapter plate. Thanks. Oh its a chevy after sitting for ten years a battery, oil change, points, and little gas she fired up second turn of the engine

Welcome to the Stovebolt.

Your 261 should have a single barrel carb, and the best way to put a four barrel on it would be with an aftermarket manifold. You'll probably want to upgrade the exhaust also to get most advantage out of it.

But since moving a big truck like that is a torque problem more then high rpm horsepower problem, I'm wondering why you are starting with a carb swap?

I agree with Sub, it seems to me that a 4 barrel carb will be just way too much. Unless you go with a small 4 barrel and then install undersize jets, then besides show, what would you gain?
A carburetor is only one component, and that alone, will most likely not do much to improve performance.
Although it may speed up your trips to the gas pumps. Not to mention, probably foul up your spark plugs sooner, from burning too rich.
Thats just my opinion, but if you are determined to install a 4 barrel, they can normally be found, (or ordered), from your local auto parts, or high performance shop.

Thanks for the input. I'm new to this game have lots to learn. My biggest concern now is brakes. I'm eager to put it to work. I own an electrical contracting company and could use this truck to haul materials to jobsites. Not to mention with a decent paint job it would be great advertising. Bottom line though it has to work after all thats what it was built for. Would like to get more speed out of it. But I will cross that bridge when it gets here.

I was very happy with a Holley 390 on a 235 with Clifford manifold with headers and dual exhausts on a long wheelbase 1940 ton and a half, had RV cam and double valve springs. It would pull strongly from idle and got better milage than I ever got from a single barrel as long as I stayed out of the secondaries.

I agree!

It doesn't really matter how fast my 6400 might go since it won't stop right now. You're looking at six- or seven-thousand pounds of truck. It will take some real power to get it moving fast, and once it is, you'll want to be able to stop it.

Do you need a 16,000 GVW to deliver materials for your business?

There are many times when I haul in excess of 8,000lbs. Some reels of wire may weigh 1 ton and may have 12 going to one jobsite. But more important I like the old truck and I enjoy driving them. I cant expect it to do what my new one will but it will still be nice to have it. My wife says I need another project. (haha) What she hasn't learned is projects keep me at home.