The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1958 3 carb help

i was told that a 3 carb setup on a 58 chevy 235 truck,that the back carb would hit the firewall. does any one have this setup,if so what carbs and intake did you use?????

i should also ask wich would be better for regular driver 2 or 3 one barrel carbs, i dont want a 4 barrel they just dont look right, and wich carbs would be best. th engine is stock and rebuilt ecept for i want to put headers either have my stock manifolds split or buy aftermarket. and a artemarket ignition, with the intake, and glasspacks, old school all the way///////

would this be the right site to ask this question??????????????????

Correct site to ask the question.

I do not know the answer to whether the rear carb would hit the firewall, others may.

Lots of differences of opinions on 2 vs 3 carbs. I personally feel that 2 is a better setup, but more difficult for the novice (no offense intended) to initially adjust on the vehicle. Once adjusted, very reliable if you use reliable carbs.

As to which carb to use, LOTS of threads in the archives on this site concerning this. Do a search, and you can probably find several days reading. I personally would suggest in order Carter W-1 from 1946-1948 Chevrolet, Carter WA-1 from Hudson Twin-H power, Stromberg or Zenith aftermarket carbs. Others may suggest the use of Holley 1904 glass bowl units (really cool looking, but calibration can be difficult) or Rochester type B (personally feel these would be better used as a paperweight if they are clean!)

Another option may be the triple one barrel SIDEDRAFT Corvette unit, but clearance may be an issue. This setup used Carter type YH carbs. Looks great, but very pricey!

Jon.

BIGBLOCK,

This is the right site. Sometimes these things take time. Unless someone has actually done this hop-up to their '58, all opinions would be conjecture.

Blabbing about stuff I know little about has never bothered me...here goes. Although this certainly wasn't a '58 truck, but rather a '54 car, I did have three 1 barrel carbs on a Offy manifold. There were no carb to firewall clearance issues. These were not Rochester carburetors. I used Stromberg units that were physically not as large, and smaller from a CFM standpoint (I think).

My thought is with two carburetors, additional engine modifications need to be relatively minor. In order to take advantage of the three carburetor setup, more extensive mods are desired.

My engine (235) was bored slightly oversize, had domed aluminum pistons, DIY port job, streetable Isky cam and valve train components. Dual exhaust, mallory ignition and lightened flywheel topped it all off.

The car started and ran fine as a daily driver. This was all done when I was in high school so I never paid any attention to gas mileage.

One of the members of this site did use a three carburetor manifold utilizing three Stromberg 97's (I think). This was in a AD truck and the installation required MAJOR firewall surgery.

Hopefully more folks will join in with better and more pertinent info than yours truly!


Stuart

thanks for the reply. this is my fist six mild hop up, usually i take a 350,454 or buick455 and shoe horn them in. but on this truck i want that old school look. that means nonthing modern.i am pretty good with v8's, but i am going back to were it all started.im am just having to learn all the little tricks of what will and will not work.information and aftermarket are not as dominate as they are for the v8's,,,i will do a search tring to figure out what carbs would work best,setup wont be much of a problem i use to have a 8 weber setup on a 350 now that was a pain.