The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay whats the diff---??

just bought a 37-53 carb,,I thought it was a 216,,or 235,,It won't fit on my 235 Chev engine,And i know what a 235 carb looks like,,,Anyway what's the difference between a 216,235,and 261,,I know the 261 won't fit on a 235,,Ha,Ha,,Should've looked before i leeped,,Dave

You got a carb for a 216 I would bet, different width of mounting bolt holes is the only difference between the two that I know of, but that is enough, as you can tell.

Dave,

My 261 and 235 carbs are interchangeable (at least as far as bolt-on goes - 1.5" flange). However, I understand the 261 delivers more gas than the 235 carb (different venturi throat size).

The 216 has a different bolt-on flange size. I am not sure about the pre-1954 235 carburetor bolt-on flange size.

As Brian stated, you most likely have a 216 carb (37-53) and '54 or later 235 engine. The carb and intake manifold do match (53 and earlier to 54 and later).

Tim