Carb Info??

[JayInCA]

I've searched through the forums trying to find the information I'm looking for but as of yet...I haven't found it.

I came across a 1982 F150 XLT Lariat with the 351 Windsor for free. My friend was moving cross country, and couldn't take it with him. The only issue is the fact that it needs a new carburetor and a new voltage regulator. Voltage regulator is not an issue, the carburetor is something new to me. All of my vehicles have been Fuel Injected and this is my first carburated vehicle.

I've been calling around and have found that since it is a variable venturi carb, it's going to run around $500+ to replace it, and around $400+ in order to rebuild it.

So, here's my main question, is there a huge performance benefit having a variable venturi carb? Is it a gas saver? Can I replace it with the $200 replacement from Holley(Not variable ventura)? Will it be a lot harder to install an Edelbrock/Weber carb made for my engine displacement(351), since they're practically the same price as the Variable Venturi?

I mean, from what I've read, it seems like a solid concept, fuel/air mixture varies depending on flow rate (at least that's what I've comprehended it as). But, I often go into the mountains, and take my trucks to the desert for off roading, and I know that carburated vehicles can stall at steep angles, as well as rough terrain at high speeds, so will the variable venturi combat that?

Blech, not used to this...debating converting it to fuel injected, but what's the fun in not learnin' anything new?

Thank you all in advance.

[UncleBob]

in theory there is a an advantage to CV. When applied properly.

Your particular example though, isn't one of them.

If you do not need to worry about emissions testing, I'd simply throw it away and buy an aftermarket carb, such as an edelbrock (not my favorite, but they are cheap).

[curtis73]

The best carb is one that is already tuned to your engine. An aftermarket carb (even though they say, "performs great right out of the box") is not tuned for a 351W. Its tuned to be a stabbing guess at something that will work on 100 different applications, so the chances that its right for your truck are slim.

Carbs are very complex mechanical pieces that perform a very simple function, but its important to note that if you carb is not working correctly its not because its no good, (requiring replacement) its because its worn out (needs to be rebuilt). The jetting and metering on that carb are correct for that engine, its just that the gaskets have cracked and the guts are full of dirt and junk. Otherwise its a chunk of aluminum and brass, so new parts will make it as good as new; of course providing its not cracked or something.

Try shopping around. A rebuild kit for that carb should be no more than $25 and it shouldn't take a mechanic more than an hour to rebuild it. The $400 number is pretty outrageous to me. I have a guy up the road that will rebuild mine for $50. I never asked how much it would be for them to put it on and tune it since I do that myself, but I can usually tune a carb in an hour or two tops.... and I'm not very good at it.

[MagicRat]

The Ford VV carb was a 2 bbl design, so many aftermarket carbs will not fit without a different intake manifold.

The VV carb was a great concept, but was used in 1982 only. It was discontinued due to reliability and cost reasons. It's rarity and relative complexity explains the high cost of the rebuild.
Consider using a stock Ford 2bbl carb from 1981 351W. It will bolt on with minimal alterations, will perform better and be cheaper.

[midgetracing28]

Just get a 2barrel holley carb and tune it or a older style ford carb and have it rebuilt.When i had the 2 barrel for my 302 rebuilt It was 10 bucks for the rebuild kit and paid a guy 30 to do it so i couldnt screw it up.

[GreyGoose006]

if you have never rebuilt a carb, i wouldnt do it on one that needs to work right. if you can, find one for like 10 bucks and take it apart, that way you will atleast know what to expect.
i tried to rebuild my carb on my car, but i had no idea what i was doing and ended up with my car out of commission for a month and a half until my uncle could help me fix it.

[JayInCA]

I'm probably going to just grab a remanufactured holley carb from autozone, and pop that on in order to get it out from Reno, to CA. Then save up for a V8 conversion setup from Weber. I know I'll have to tune it, I'll probably take it to my emissions guy in Reno to get it tuned and make sure I have it setup correctly, and all that jazz.

That's some awesome advice, I can pick up a cheap carb from a salvage yard, and practice rebuilding a carb, so I learn a little bit too.

What is the benefit of a VV Carb? Just curious when it would be a good idea to have a VV. It appears as though my application it's useless on, but just need to know.

Thank you all so much for your info, I've been reading around on these forums, and it's an amazing resource. You'll probably see me plenty, since I'm just an amateur weekend mechanic, and an avid off roader.

[curtis73]

I'm just an amateur weekend mechanic, and an avid off roader

Well, I'm an experienced mechanic, but an amateur off-roader. I just picked up a 65 Scout 800 so I'll be picking your brain too

[JayInCA]

I LOVE Scouts, they are beautiful, and reliable machines. My friend craig actually drives a '65, and he's turned it into an amazing rock crawler.

If ya have any questions, I'm more than happy to help ya out. I mostly play in the sand, and I'm currently building my '98 F150 into a pre-runner with the goal of entering Best In The Desert as a class 8000 Truck by 2010.

I'm thinking about turning this new F150 into a prerunner too, just because it's a lot of fun, plus it'll give me something new to get out and play with.