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#1554376 08/02/2024 7:02 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
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F
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Does anyone know the carburetor cfm rating or capacity for a stock 216 (Rochester C)? Is that info published somewhere?
I have seen some online calculators where you input the displacement, max rpm and efficiency and it gives a result. Thanks.


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C
Carburetion specialist
Carburetion specialist
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I have not seen published ratings on the Rochester B (there is NO Rochester C, and never has been).

The published rating on the M (superseded the B) with the 1 7/32 main venturi (this size used on the Chevrolet 216) was 160 CFM

1 barrel and 2 barrel carburetors are rated at 3.0 inches of mercury.

4 barrel carburetors (until greed in marketing took over) were rated at 1.5 inches of mercury.

The mathematical conversion factor is the square root of 2 (1.414).

Dividing 160 by 1.414 gives 113 CFM when converted to the scale most folks refer to.

Jon


Good carburetion is fuelish hot air
The most expensive carburetor is the wrong one you attempt to modify.
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Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
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To calculate the theoretical (not actual) CFM of an engine, divide the displacement by 2 - - - -(216/2=108). Multiply half the displacement by the RPM (108 X 3000=324,000) and divide by 1728 (cubic inches in a cubic foot). 324000/1728 = 187.5 CFM. That's assuming 100% volumetric efficiency, which is impossible. A more realistic CFM for a 216 at 3000 RPM would be about 85%- - - - - -159.4 CFM. The above formula works for ANY 4-stroke engine, regardless of cubic inch displacement or the number of cylinders. Even racing engines with major modifications to intake and exhaust systems have a hard time getting more than 90% volumetric efficiency.
Jerry


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'Bolter
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So my guess is the setup Patrick's used to sell for 270 GMC with 5 ea. Stromberg 97s was a bit of overkill. I knew a guy once who had a 53 Chev coupe with a 270 set up like that including headers and he made quit a bit of money betting guys with 283-powered 55 Chevs on a drag race. It set up an intimidating howl at full throttle.


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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Thanks! I fat fingered a C instead of a B. Sorry!


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