carburator spacer

[stevenelle]

Warm days and my normal vapor lock problems are just around the corner here in Texas. I am going to try multiple ways to reduce the heat buildup in my fuel pump, fuel line and carberator. What is the best material to make a spacer out of to help reduce the transfer of heat from the manifold to the carb? And where would a person get some of this material?

[greg g]

contact tom langdon at stovebolt.com, he has phenolic spacers for 1bbl's in several thickness up to an inch and a half. they are less than 10 bucks.

[pilotman23]

Does your truck have a spacer in between the carb and manifold currently? If it does, maybe you could trace it out as a pattern and cut your own out of something (Delrin, etc). Although, if new spacers are less than $10, it might be more cost effective to simply purchase one.

Jim

[stevenelle]

Tom Langdon says he does not have these, and he referred me to another place that does not have them either. Any other sources out there? I would not mind cutting my own if I could get hold of an appropriate material in a small quantity.

Next question however is whether or not a 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch piece of plastic will retard enough heat transfer to be effective??

I'm beginning to believe that hard starting of hot engines in hot weather may just be the way it is. I have re-routed the fuel line so it is 4 plus inches away from exhaust manifold and have just installed an improvised heat shield.

[greg g]

Hmmm!! That where I got mine, still have the reciept. here are some fancy ones.

http://www.marshallsince62.com/id2.html

[billwillard]

I think by placing a spacer under your carb it will increase the torque. Is this true? Or am I all wet.

[greg g]

There are claims that placing a spacer under the carb will have a positive effect on engine power. Thus HIRISE performance manifolds.

I wonder what the effect was with the flathead manifolds. they started out with a big high casting for the carb to sit on, by the late 50's with the lower hood line, this casting went away and the carb got lower. Can't see how a 1 inch spacer can make a lot of difference unless it significantly changes flow characteristics.

[MBF]

I think the improvement is two sided. 1) It provides insulation for the carb and thus the fuel, and 2) provides increased volume in for the intake manifold-I forget what the exact term for this is. Mike

[Mark D]

Saw Greg's risers in person this weekend, and don't see them listed in Langdon's on line catolog so I went googling and found these listed for $18.95 each.

1/4" phenolic carb insulator, bore of 1.700" and a bolt hole dimesion center to center is 2-15/16"

http://www.dashman.net/product.html?id=92

Nost sure I want to spend that cash yet. Anyone have experience installing the Offy dual intake setup? How much spacer did you install if at all?

[John-T-53]

The Offy dual intake isn't that great. The draft is way low (unless you use some serious spacers) and Tom Langdon told me once that company has some quality issues. I am not sure the Offy has any provisions for heating it should you want to run exhaust headers as well.

The George Asche dual intake gets my vote. Also the rare Edmunds intake is cool if you can find one. This is what Blueskies (on the car side) used.

[Young Ed]

There are others out there as well. I have this one that might go on my 40 plymouth pickup. Back before ebay messed itself up I picked this up cheap listed as a model a part from the guy who bought it thinking it would fit his chevy.

[Scruffy49]

Man you guys resurrected an old thread...

Best spacer I've ever seen on a Pilot House L6 was home made. Old man had over 200K miles on the motor with the spacer on it. 1" thick hard maple. He said oak is good too. Fired right up in high 80s temps with a hot engine. Purred like a well fed kitten.

[48Dodger]

I dont mind old threads showing up....a lot work goes into some of'em and its good to know someone's out there searching for it.

48D

[Mark D]

Hey Ed - Sell me your Fenton and I won't have to look for one anymore! Rare as hens teeth, and I aint getting any younger. Until something else pops up, Im going with the Offy. Seen several threads talking about hardwood spacers, and I've got a slab of hard burled cherry in the basement that might make a good candidate. Worst case I'll give that a try, at least it will be pretty...

[Mark D]

Small update to offer. Just had a nice conversation with Tom Langdon. Bought a heat plate for my upcoming intake and exhaust manifold upgrade project from him. Asked him about the 5/8" phenolic spacers. First he said he doesn't carry them for the mopar guys, then we talked a bit and when I explained my need. After a few seconds he told me he had brown and black ones that the chevy guys like to use. He matched them up to a carter BB base he had on hand and told me he would add them to the package for $4- each. I should have a fun weekend coming up.

[John-T-53]

Good to hear Tom was able to come through for you. Keep us posted and put up some pics of your upcoming project!