The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1 bbl or 2 bbl?

I'm in the process of a engine rebuild (very early stages) of my 235, and I have a decision to make. I have Fenton cast iron headers and an Offenhauser 2x1 manifold.

I've been thinking I would buy the 2bbl Carter-Weber setup from Stovebolt Engine Company, but now I'm not so sure. The setup I have came with two Rochester BC carbs that need to be cleaned up and rebuilt but are otherwise fine. I have the linkage and everything I need to put them on.

If I buy the Carter-Weber setup, I have to buy the carbs, linkage, adapters and everything (about $400.00.)

In doing research on the web I've figured out that the two BC 1bbls will give me about 334cfm, whereas the C/W combo would give me about 380cfm.

I'm also planning on installing a mild cam.

According to Carbs Unlimited , my engine, with a mild cam, only needs 258 cfm at 4000 rpm and 322 at 5000 rpm.

Is the C/W setup going to be demonstrably better than the dual Rochesters? Am I just wasting money to go that way? (Assume, for the sake of argument, that money is no object.)

How about some pros and cons from those who have BTDT?

I'm a firm believer in the C/W setup! My 54-3100 came with a single Rochester.....was convinced that the engine was in sad shape. Wouldn't idle, carb leaked, hesitated. Rebuild of carb helped but it still dumped fuel and wouldn't lean out, so I went with a single Holley/Weber setup from Langdon and a fuel pressure regulator and gauge. Flawless out of the box.

Recently upgraded to a 1960-235 rebuilt with the usual tweaking but cammed for low-end torque. Added the Carter/Webers on an Offy intake..also exhaust heat to manifold.....once again, flawless out of the box. Am geared to cruise at 65-70@2000 rpm's in 5th gear (.72) with a 3.42 R&P and 28" rear tire. Have a little over 1000 miles on this engine without so much as a hiccup....only averaging 16.7 mpg but that was was more my having fun with the throttle then anything else. I'm running 3.5PSI of fuel pressure which I think might even help the stock Rochesters. The GM pump at higher rpm's seems to put out more pressure than the stock carbs want or need. The C/W's come with electric chokes, which cycle in less than a minute and the kit from Langdon is well worth the gingle.

The 235 isn't going to be a rocketship in a truck and the mechanical secondaries aren't going to snap your neck, but if you want reliable service, instant starts, hot or cold, reasonable mileage and are a friend of "set and forget" the C/W's might just be your ticket!!

To answer your question.....better than the Rochesters...read the posts about the typical Rochester problems and make your own call!!! I personally enjoy driving my truck more than laboring over a troublesome fuel delivery system. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!

Dave

Thanks, Dave. That's what I thought, but I was hesitating spending any additional $400. Nothing beats the experience of someone who has already been there.

You're welcome! Hopefully, you realize that there will be some tweaking on the underside of the Offy intake, also I bought Langdons "heat plate" for under the intake. He advocates water heat which uses the same plate...too much potential for problems so the exhaust was my choice.

Care must be taken to get the carb to adaptor bolts installed correctly. Yes they will tighten down even though they appear misaligned. The gas pedal bellcrank to carb rod bending is a pain so I would recommend using copper electrical box ground wire (about 3/16-1/4" dia) to get it dialed in....the heat plate will need to be trimmed for additional clearance. Once you determine the proper profile you can use steel rod.....the copper saves your fingers!!! I made a cap for the top of the carbs to use the Uni-Syn for tweaking. I have pics of the install in my webshots album. Check it out and shoot me an email if you have questions.

Dave

Check out the prices on Carbs Unltd, you'll realize what a great deal you are getting from Langdon's. I've been running his Holley/Webers for several years, not a problem.

I too am running the H/W carbs and can not be happyier with the results. I agree with Dave and JiMerit. Go ahead it is worth the investment.
Tom

I also agree with the other guys. Just finished my rebuild and am very happy with the results. Like Dave said, the bellcrank to throttle linkage can be a pain but ultimately you can get it done. My only remaining glitch is that it takes a bit more pedal pressure to get the throttle linkage moving. Sometimes I get my passenger's head jerking back. I guess I'll be able to finesse my touch with more experience behind the wheel.

http://community.webshots.com/user/geezer

Thanks guys. You solidified my decision to spend "unnecessary" money. I appreciate the heads up about the linkage problems too. I'll have to noodle on that one and see if I can't figure out a solution that works.