The Ford Barn

1929 · 02-11-2016, 12:15 PM

anyone here using a period correct downdraft Carb on their Model A? Just curious on the performance compared to the stock updraft.

TradModelA · 02-11-2016, 12:17 PM

I'm using a Stromberg 48, the difference in performance is very noticeable. However , I don't know how period correct it is. You may want to look around on the HAMB website for ideas. Ive also seen Winfield DD carbs used.

emf · 02-11-2016, 01:01 PM

I have two Stromberg 81's on my car. Just love it!

Frank

Tom Wesenberg · 02-11-2016, 01:27 PM

Why aren't a pair of sidedraft carbs used? Seems like that would give the most direct airflow.

dalton · 02-11-2016, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Why aren't a pair of sidedraft carbs used? Seems like that would give the most direct airflow.

I have wondered about a pair of CV carbs on a custom intake.

2manycars · 02-11-2016, 01:56 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Why aren't a pair of sidedraft carbs used? Seems like that would give the most direct airflow.

A pair of side draft SU carbs from an MGC or a Jag would be interesting.

bettlesr · 02-11-2016, 02:26 PM

I found this online a while back. I had a set of HIF carbs I thought about using, but got lazy and put on a weber 32/36.

TradModelA · 02-11-2016, 02:28 PM

Were did you get your plug wires?

wensum · 02-11-2016, 02:31 PM

I have twin Strombergs with adjustable main jets which are running pretty well and know of two other cars with similar set-ups.
Tempting as twin SU's might be and I know of a successful installation of these, to me it seems wrong to put a British carb on an American motor?
Keith

CarlG · 02-11-2016, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wensum

I have twin Strombergs with adjustable main jets which are running pretty well and know of two other cars with similar set-ups.
Tempting as twin SU's might be and I know of a successful installation of these, to me it seems wrong to put a British carb on an American motor?
Keith

New Strombergs are made in the UK.

Vicky · 02-11-2016, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2manycars

A pair of side draft SU carbs from an MGC or a Jag would be interesting.

Our Coupe will have SU Carbs. Learning Curve is steep for me.

2manycars · 02-11-2016, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicky

Our Coupe will have SU Carbs. Learning Curve is steep for me.

Those are the later HIF carbs, with internal float bowl, not like the HS series carbs I posted a photo of.

Now you have me thinking. My supercharged MGB has an HIF6, and two of those would be a good setup.

Bob-A · 02-11-2016, 07:06 PM

I've got two actual period correct Bendix-Stromberg carburetors. With the proper down draft intakes, see page 75 in the book: Those Wonderful Unauthorized Accessories for Model A Ford". Both carbs need restoring
and I hope to do so before my time runs out

. 4ever4 on this board has a personal website that has a good write up and pics on these set-ups.

Bob-A

Jim Huseby · 02-11-2016, 07:23 PM

Using SU carbs, such as HS4's from an early MGB, results in a clearance problem against the inside of the hood at the front carb, especially if you use an intake manifold with a balance tube, and air cleaners or velocity stacks. You only need the hood side if it rains anyway.

Rocketsled · 02-11-2016, 07:47 PM

What needles would you suggest for the S.U. HS4's?

Bob-A · 02-11-2016, 08:09 PM

The Bendix/Stromberg down draft manifold I mentioned above with a
replacement BXV-2 Stromberg carb and not the original DXR-2 Stromberg.

Also, forever4 is the correct "handle" and not 4ever4 as I stated prior.
His website is "The Ford Garage".

Bob-A

stromberg 1073.jpg

TradModelA · 02-11-2016, 08:37 PM

Is this the ford barn? Thought I saw a bunch of British cars.

Jim Huseby · 02-11-2016, 09:00 PM

Rocketsled: I don't know. Since I have standards in each of several HD's, H's and HS's from XK120's to early 948 Sprites, I would start with the standard needles, tune them as if they were on any British four with twin SU's and check for richness or leanness at various loads and speeds and see if you can arrive at a mixture setting that is satisfactory for your RPM and load range. Do you have a needle profile chart? I don't know what needles are available now days, try Moss Motors if you get serious about it and keep us posted.

Phil Brown · 02-12-2016, 12:10 AM

Not exactly period correct, but wow really picked-up in the performance. I used a Holley 2100 carb that was supposed to be used on a VW motor. Made up a little aluminum intake for it to sit on
The only downside is that there's no GAV to mess with as you drive :-)

Bob-A · 02-12-2016, 05:53 AM

Phil Brown,

Love your downdraft set-up!

And, to me, not having a GAV to mess with would be a blessing. I can't seem to keep my hand off the ones in my cars.

I'm forever trying to find that sweeter than sweet sweet-spot on mine.

Bob-A

02-11-2016, 12:15 PM	#1
1929 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New York Posts: 943	Downdraft Carburetors? anyone here using a period correct downdraft Carb on their Model A? Just curious on the performance compared to the stock updraft.

02-11-2016, 12:17 PM	#2
TradModelA Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 99	Re: Downdraft Carburetors? I'm using a Stromberg 48, the difference in performance is very noticeable. However , I don't know how period correct it is. You may want to look around on the HAMB website for ideas. Ive also seen Winfield DD carbs used.

02-11-2016, 01:27 PM	#4
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Downdraft Carburetors? Why aren't a pair of sidedraft carbs used? Seems like that would give the most direct airflow.

02-11-2016, 02:28 PM	#8
TradModelA Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 99	Re: Downdraft Carburetors? Were did you get your plug wires?

02-11-2016, 02:31 PM	#9
wensum Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 444	Re: Downdraft Carburetors? I have twin Strombergs with adjustable main jets which are running pretty well and know of two other cars with similar set-ups. Tempting as twin SU's might be and I know of a successful installation of these, to me it seems wrong to put a British carb on an American motor? Keith

02-11-2016, 07:06 PM	#13
Bob-A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central FL, USA Posts: 1,137	Re: Downdraft Carburetors? I've got two actual period correct Bendix-Stromberg carburetors. With the proper down draft intakes, see page 75 in the book: Those Wonderful Unauthorized Accessories for Model A Ford". Both carbs need restoring and I hope to do so before my time runs out. 4ever4 on this board has a personal website that has a good write up and pics on these set-ups. Bob-A

02-11-2016, 07:23 PM	#14
Jim Huseby Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 361	Re: Downdraft Carburetors? Using SU carbs, such as HS4's from an early MGB, results in a clearance problem against the inside of the hood at the front carb, especially if you use an intake manifold with a balance tube, and air cleaners or velocity stacks. You only need the hood side if it rains anyway.

02-11-2016, 07:47 PM	#15
Rocketsled Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wakefield, N.H. USA Posts: 142	Re: Downdraft Carburetors? What needles would you suggest for the S.U. HS4's?

02-11-2016, 08:09 PM	#16
Bob-A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central FL, USA Posts: 1,137	Re: Downdraft Carburetors? The Bendix/Stromberg down draft manifold I mentioned above with a replacement BXV-2 Stromberg carb and not the original DXR-2 Stromberg. Also, forever4 is the correct "handle" and not 4ever4 as I stated prior. His website is "The Ford Garage". Bob-A stromberg 1073.jpg

02-11-2016, 08:37 PM	#17
TradModelA Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 99	Re: Downdraft Carburetors? Is this the ford barn? Thought I saw a bunch of British cars.

02-11-2016, 09:00 PM	#18
Jim Huseby Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 361	Re: Downdraft Carburetors? Rocketsled: I don't know. Since I have standards in each of several HD's, H's and HS's from XK120's to early 948 Sprites, I would start with the standard needles, tune them as if they were on any British four with twin SU's and check for richness or leanness at various loads and speeds and see if you can arrive at a mixture setting that is satisfactory for your RPM and load range. Do you have a needle profile chart? I don't know what needles are available now days, try Moss Motors if you get serious about it and keep us posted.

02-12-2016, 05:53 AM	#20
Bob-A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central FL, USA Posts: 1,137	Re: Downdraft Carburetors? Phil Brown, Love your downdraft set-up! And, to me, not having a GAV to mess with would be a blessing. I can't seem to keep my hand off the ones in my cars. I'm forever trying to find that sweeter than sweet sweet-spot on mine. Bob-A