C-1 carb

[Jon S.]

Could anyone recommend a good after-market carb to replace my carter WCFB 3191S that would accept my original air cleaner? I would be installing it on an early 250 hp 62. Tired of fooling around with the original and spending a small fortune. Time to box it and start enjoying my ride!
Thanks, Jon

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C-1 carb

The AFB clone that is marketed by Edlebrock seems to be a good carb, at least I always had good luck with the originals. I think the air cleaner would fit ok, but I'm not sure if the throttle bores are the same size/spacing on the WCFB as the AFB. If not, you can always get a 300 hp manifold. They are plentiful and cheap.

[Mike M.]

Re: C-1 carb

agree with ed on the trouble-free nature of the AFB series carter carbs, but don't think the bolt patterns are the same and you'll have to pick up a 300 hp cast iron intak e to use an AFB>mike

[Jack Layton]

Re: C-1 carb

The air horn circle on top of the Edelbrock has a larger diameter than the original AFB carbs.
I am presently trying to solve this exact dilema for a client who has a new Edelbrock/AFB on a Torker manifold in a 1962 Corvette.. The gas line enters from the pass side on the out board side as opposed to the original entry point being the front of the carb on the pass side. Also the entry point of the gas line boss contacts the side of the air cleaner. Compounding the problem is that the air cleaner is too tall for the hood to close.
Solution ?! Maybe? I have been told that the top of an original AFB (like a 3721) will bolt on top of the new Edelbrock/AFB. Sounds a little odd to me but who knows. I would opt to go with an original AFB intake/carb set up, if not from 1962 which are hard to locate, than from a 1963/64/65. That way you can get an original C1 1x4 air cleaner to fit the air horn and still have adequate hood clearance .

[Clem Z.]

Re: C-1 carb

if the gasket between the top and the main body are the same you can change the top maybe because the choke linkage also has to be the same.

[Dave Christensen]

Re: C-1 carb

Jon,
I recommend fixing the WCFB that you have. Once they are properly set up, they work great!

I have a 2X4 WCFB setup on my 56. They were nothing but trouble. I took them to several "experts" and was not able to get any improvement. Finally, I took them to Chuck Smith in Calabasas, CA. He spent 1 1/2 hours taking them apart, replacing most of the innards, and putting them back together again. I bolted them on, adjusted the idle, and have not had a problem with them in over 4000 miles.

Fixing it right will cost you a lot less than a new carb. Bob Kunz in St. Louis does very good work on these carbs as well. Before you buy a new carb, search the archives for "Bob Kunz" and you might be convinced that the WCFBs can be made to work right. You just need to find someone that REALLY knows how to fix them.

Thats my $.02.

Dave Christensen

[Skip Kimball]

Re: C-1 carb

Jon, What are you problems? I had my WCFB rebuilt by Chuck Smith. WOW what a difference. You can find him at www.chucksmithchevys.com He does carbs & fuelies. Nice job and looks new too. Skip

[Jon S.]

Re: C-1 carb

Thanks everyone! I think I'll give Chuck a try. Spoke with him on Saturday. My long time problem has been a few hundred rpm idle increase every time I come to a stop or traffic light. There is a similar post later in this tread. He suggested that it might very well be a mechanic hang-up with the linkage. Guess I have nothing to loose. Everyone else has seen it. In the last year, it has traveled more than me!
Regards, Jon

[Christopher R.]

Re: C-1 carb

You'll find it easier to fix the one you now have.

Most trouble free carb is the current Carter/Edelbrock AFB clone. Little under $250. That will bolt to your intake manifold because the base of that carb has 8 holes to mate to AFB or Holley bolt patterns.

But the air horn on the modern AFB is 5+ inches in diameter. The hole in your original air cleaner base is 4 and some fraction inches in diameter. So you'll have to find a new air cleaner. I'm told there are adapters, but i could never find one. There are plenty of adapters that go up. Never could find one that went down. And you are already in a tight space situation with the hood. Read on.

The modern AFB also has its gas inlet in a different place (rear of the right side) than your original WCFB right side of the front. So you'll have to fabricate a new gas line. It'd be tacky to use rubber gas hose. Edelbrock has a hard fitting with a filter that drops down. It costs a little over $50. You still need to fabricate a line from the fuelpump to that. Takes AN fittings.

The existing throttle linkage and choke lines can be made to work. You could also do an electric choke.

Now when you do the air cleaner, you wont't be able to use a drop down base because of where the gas inlet is. With a flat base, you don't have much height left. So, you're gonna have to use a skinny air filter. The height of the existing air cleaner is all that will fit. You might get a drop down air cleaner base to fit with the Edelbrock fitting mentioned above. A drop down base, if it clears the gas line, would give you more air cleaner choices.

After you screw around with all this, and buy lots of new parts, fixing the original carb might be easier and cheaper. But, if you must, people have been fitting aftermarket carbs, air cleaners, and gas lines to these cars almost since they were new. It can be done. But you asked what's easiest.

[Jon S.]

Re: C-1 carb

Thanks Chris! I'm just so frustrated! I think I'll give Chuck or Bob a try. You wouldn't believe how much money I have in this carb. It was working fine ,when I decided to have it restored. Live,learn and pay.
Regards, Jon