1961 Futura
Well-known member
Hey fellows,
I have a lot of respect for the opinions on this board, and I need some help. I know it’s important to have a focused build to avoid wasting a lot of money, but I’m really wishy washy about an intake setup.
I have a ‘61 Futura that’s going to have a ‘65 200 swapped in place of the 170 once it’s been built. This is my daily driver and I take it everywhere, so fuel economy, reliability, and ease of maintenance are all concerns. So is a period look, though (if it weren’t, I could get what I wanted in a Honda or something).
I would love a CI aluminum head, but I don’t see that being in the cards right now. I can probably dig up a D8 head, though, given enough time scrounging. I already have a C5 head on the 200; and a D0 head on the 170.
Carburetor wise, I’m currently running a big-bore YF, have an unidentified small-bore, manual-choke YF on the shelf, and an 1100 on the 200.
With that preamble out of the way, and in no particular order, here are the induction setups I am contemplating:
Offenhauser 3x1
Pros:
Very cool looking
Gives good fuel distribution
Gives decent fuel economy if driven conservatively
Cons:
Complicated to set up
Requires frequent maintenance
Difficult to source three matching carburetors
Holley 2100
Pros:
Retains a quasi-factory look
One of the mostly highly respected 2bbl designs
Very simple and low maintenance
Easily obtained
Cons:
Requires machining for a direct mount or an adaptor that may compromise hood clearance
Not terribly exciting to look at
Probably the least-fuel-efficient option
Might be too much carburetor for a daily driver
Fuel distribution no better than stock
Weber 32/36
Pros:
Retains a quasi-factory look
Progressive operation - A good compromise between performance and economy
Fairly simple and low maintenance
Cons:
Less-period looking than the triples or the 2100
I’ve never seen a used one ($$$)
Not terribly exciting too look at
Fuel distribution no better than stock
Forced Induction
Pros:
Cool looking
Makes up for the shortcomings of a log head and possibly a stock carburetor
Cons:
Complicated setup requiring fabrication and/or plumbing
Foreign to me
Possible maintenance headaches
I would love to hear opinions on this. Between the Ford Falcon hand book, tffn.net, and here, I’ve got lots of ideas, but now I need some guidance.
Thanks,
Dave
I have a lot of respect for the opinions on this board, and I need some help. I know it’s important to have a focused build to avoid wasting a lot of money, but I’m really wishy washy about an intake setup.
I have a ‘61 Futura that’s going to have a ‘65 200 swapped in place of the 170 once it’s been built. This is my daily driver and I take it everywhere, so fuel economy, reliability, and ease of maintenance are all concerns. So is a period look, though (if it weren’t, I could get what I wanted in a Honda or something).
I would love a CI aluminum head, but I don’t see that being in the cards right now. I can probably dig up a D8 head, though, given enough time scrounging. I already have a C5 head on the 200; and a D0 head on the 170.
Carburetor wise, I’m currently running a big-bore YF, have an unidentified small-bore, manual-choke YF on the shelf, and an 1100 on the 200.
With that preamble out of the way, and in no particular order, here are the induction setups I am contemplating:
Offenhauser 3x1
Pros:
Very cool looking
Gives good fuel distribution
Gives decent fuel economy if driven conservatively
Cons:
Complicated to set up
Requires frequent maintenance
Difficult to source three matching carburetors
Holley 2100
Pros:
Retains a quasi-factory look
One of the mostly highly respected 2bbl designs
Very simple and low maintenance
Easily obtained
Cons:
Requires machining for a direct mount or an adaptor that may compromise hood clearance
Not terribly exciting to look at
Probably the least-fuel-efficient option
Might be too much carburetor for a daily driver
Fuel distribution no better than stock
Weber 32/36
Pros:
Retains a quasi-factory look
Progressive operation - A good compromise between performance and economy
Fairly simple and low maintenance
Cons:
Less-period looking than the triples or the 2100
I’ve never seen a used one ($$$)
Not terribly exciting too look at
Fuel distribution no better than stock
Forced Induction
Pros:
Cool looking
Makes up for the shortcomings of a log head and possibly a stock carburetor
Cons:
Complicated setup requiring fabrication and/or plumbing
Foreign to me
Possible maintenance headaches
I would love to hear opinions on this. Between the Ford Falcon hand book, tffn.net, and here, I’ve got lots of ideas, but now I need some guidance.
Thanks,
Dave