Just curious since I have no experience with them. Wondering if they are mechanically primitive enough to mess around with without having to go nuts about something messing up that would ruin it. Are there any books that are worth reading about that covers the dos and dont's?
Actually, I was thinking about it cause I'm planning on doing a 2bbl convert on my inline 6. Also, how messy would it be cause I have no shop or garage to work in and I don;t know what kinds of fluids one would need to work on these things.
For me, no matter how much I read, the most effective way for me to learn about carbs was to rebuild a couple of them. I'd say get a spare carb in rebuildable condition and fix it up. Get a kit, look at the diagrams, and jump right in. Little check balls, c-clips and cotter pins can be annoying when they get lost, but it's pretty hard to actually ruin a carb unless you break something by overtightening, etc.
First one I did, I did on the balcony of an apartment. Pissed off the wife, but she got over it... You'll want a bucket, some carb cleaner, (I use brake cleaner too) some pipe cleaners, scotchbrite pads. If it's really funky you might also want to soak it in a "carb dip" like Berryman's, sold at the parts stores...
Get a book, read it, then find someone locally who knows them, then let them show you the ins and outs, before doing it on your own. I've seen dozens of carb "experts" who aren't though, so beware. And also keep this in mind.........a smaller carb is better than one that's too big. They function off the vacuum created by the engine, so a too big carb will see less vacuum and will not work as well as one that's smaller and sees more. So doing a 2 bbl swap onto your six, may not be the best idea. Especially using adapters to get the carb bolted onto the intake. The best way to do what you want is to start with a 2 bbl intake, if at all possible.
There's a good article on the 2bbl swap at fordsix.com. Gotta' be a good article on the carb rebuild out there. http://www.fordsix.com/tech.php
I rebuilt my Rancheros carb on the kitchen table in a couple of hours most of which was spent scrubbing the gas/varnish off. Do what the guys said, buy an old carb like the one you have and rebuild it. Nothing to it.
this was what i thought at first... the stock autolite 2barrel is super easy to rebuild and set up. i like them way more than the aftermarket holley 2 barrel.
The book was confusing. I just tackled my first carb and it was way easier just taking everything apart (like leggos) - I just stayed away from bending anything until I know what it is I'm touching... Good luck. I'm hoping to do the 2bbl switch on my I6. I think I saw a tech article on it floating around about a week ago.
