Howdy 66Stangontheway:
To the best of my knowledge '66 Sprint package was some exterior trim decals and strips, a very cool bonnet air cleaner with a sprint sticker on it. I believe '66 was the last year of the Sprint decor package.
On the carb, the 66 model year still used the Load-a-Matic distributor system which requires a carb with a Spark Control Valve. To keep the distributor advance working right you have two ways to go to maintain stock apearance;
1. Find an Autolite 1101 carb from '63 & '64 full size Ford car or truck with a 223 six. These carbs will also have a SCV. The carb will appear very similiar to your stock 1100 Autolite, but will flow 210 cfm, compared to the 200s 185 cfm. The mounting bolt holes will need to be slotted to fit the smaller spread of your mounting bolts. The mounting adaptor will have to be tapered to accomodate the larger throttle bore and butterfly. This should be good for a 3-5 HP increase in a good, well-tuned engine
2. Use a 1101 from a '69 250. This carb will not have a SCV so you will need to upgrade to a '68 or later distributor that is not a Load-o-Matic type. This distributor will have a perfromance advantage in that it will have centrifugal as well as vacuum advance. This will be good for a 5- 7 HP increase. But mid range and driveability will be noticeably improved.
Both of these options will allow stock linkage and air cleaner. It would take a very trained eye to know that it is not stock and original.
All other options will move away from stock appearing and require more adapting.
Either way, and staying consistent with the stock appearing theme, consider upgrading you current or upgraded distributor with a Petronix Ignitor. This conversion does away with your points and gives a much stronger more precise spark.
Also consider upgrading your exhaust system to a 2" diameter header pipe, exhaust pipe system and turbo muffler to complete the package.
Adios, David
