The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 4 bbl carb for 1955 265 ?

I have a 1955 265 chevy shortblock v-8 that is being rebuilt stock.
What is the correct 4bbl carburetor for this engine ? The truck will be for street use only and not for racing. My intake manifold has 4 holes that are all the same size and the carb must match that. I have a 1965 manual transmission for it.

I am putting it into a 1965 Chevy longbed stepside 1/2 ton body on a 1962 chevy longbed stepside, 3/4 ton, 2wd chassis. The body is still being worked on -off the truck. The 1962 Chevy has the original 235 straight 6 and it runs.
-John in NM

I looked at a couple of sites and one said that the 4 barrel for a 265 was a Rochester.

Here is a list of carbs for Chevy applications for trucks from Carbking's website. I really only know enough to point you in his direction.
You can contact him through his website if you have further questions. Hope this helps.

http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/Trchevrolet.htm

My guess would be a Carter WCFB (white cast four barrel). They were the correct carb for the early 283. If memory serves me correct they flow 380 cfm, and have a weighted secondary air valve. They will only pull the air needed at wide open throttle. I had two 283's with this carb and they worked great. I also have a 56 chrysler with a 354 Hemi that runs the same carb. Works great there too.

John

John,
Chevy used a Rochester 4GC (4-jet)in that era (55-59). The problem is that the car restorers have just about dried up the supply of 4 jets & WCFB's for stock applications. I have seen them in the Classic Chevy Magazine for up to $500. It might be easier to find an aftermarket aluminum manifold and a Carter AFB, Elelbrock, or Holly carb(Preferably under 500CFM). Probably less expensive also. Fred

Did a little more digging on factory 4bls. According to the Cars&Parts chevy casting ID book the WCFB's were used primarily on 283 manual trans cars, and the 4-jet on automatics. Both my early 283's were manual trans cars. I had a 57 pontiac with a 4-jet on a 347, it would be an excellent choice also. I haven't looked on e-bay for one of these for about 6 months. Then, rebuildable 4-jets were going anywhere from about $15.00 to $50.00 depending on application. Rebuilts were as high as $500.00 if the application was rare and the ID tag was included.
One thing we are assuming is your intake is for this early carb. If you measure from the center of one front carb bolt to the other, and the distance is approx 4 1/4" either the 4-jet or the WCFB will work. If the center to center distance is 5 1/4" you would need a standard flange holley or carter afb / edelbrock. Kits for the early carbs are readily available. Hope this helps.

John

Thanks to everyone that responded to my query.The information has been very useful.