Where to buy carburetor?

[Mercury Kid]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I just bought a '63 Falcon with what I'm pretty sure is a 170 (Can't really make out the casting letter), and am looking for some advice carb wise. The carburetor needs rebuilt, but I figure while I'm at it why not upgrade slightly.

This is going to be a mild custom daily driver, so reliability and economy are first and foremost, but I think we can all agree that another hp or two couldn't hurt. I've heard that the single barrel holley from a 223 Ford six will offer a slight hp gain, and retain the economy, but where to get one? I don't want a 2bbl. I've done that swap in the past, and while the power was great the mpg's were not what I'm looking for in this car.

NAPA offers a model 1920, remanufactured, in the $230+ range. Seeing as how this is a $500 car, I can't see spending that kind of money on it. Should I just get the $17 rebuild kit and call it done, or can a suitable carb be found at a happy median price?

 

[fordconvert]

If you are at least somewhat mechanical and the carb is not already trashed by previous hackers I would go with the kit and do it myself. Typical parts store rebuilds are pretty hit and miss for quality, reading here looks like more misses than hits. If you can find a carb shop that is your best option unless you want to spend the bucks for one from a place like pony.

 

[Vin Man]

Depending on where you live, you can take it to a shop that specializes in carb rebuilding. Probably cost you about $100.

 

[BENJENBROOKS]

if economy and performance are desired, a H/W 5200 from Stovebolt and adapater are less than $100. Nice little two barrel carb. lots of guys here run them... an idea...

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy Mercury Kid:

And welcome to the Forum. I'd recommend that you first verify what you have, engine and carb wise already. IF it is an original '63 Falcon it could have either a 144 or a 170 engine. The OEM carb in 1963 is an Autolite 1100. If the engine is a 144 moving up to an 1100 from a 170 is a slam dunk, no brainer. IF you already have a 170, moving up to an 1100 from a '65 to '67 200 is equally easy. Cfm ratings are 144- 130, 170- 150, 200- 185. FoMoCo stopped using the Holley one barrels on the small sixes and went to the Autolite 1100s in 1963.

The Holleys from the 223 you mentioned are the #1909s, rated at 170 cfm. I do not know of a Holley #1920. What did NAPA say it was for?

The inexpensive place to fine these carbs is swap meets and preserved junkyards. They are getting harder to find. And then, rebuild it yourself. OR, for the big bucks type call Pony carb.

AKT bigger one barrel carbs are not known for MPG, but, with the right parts and fine tuning both better performance and economy can be attained.

One of the first questions you should ask yourself is- Do I want to stay with my stock type Load-O-Matic distributor, which is married to my carb with its Spark Control Valve? If the answer is "Yes", great. A one barrel upgrade is a good way to go. But, my suggestion for a 1st upgrade would be to redo the ignition with a thorough cleaning and inspection, making sure all vacuum functions are working and leak free. Then install a Petronix Ignitor system. Open up the spark plug gap, increase the initial advance setting and enjoy the extra power and MPG.

If your block is a '63 casting, you really don't have a good, simple, inexpensive option to the distributor other then a Petronix Ignitor.

Is your care a manual trans or auto?

Again, welcome and keep us posted on your specs and your direction.

Adios, David

 

[Mercury Kid]

Thanks all of you guys for the advice.

Turns out I've got a 144 in my bird, and after weighing the options, I think a rebuild of the stock carb is the best bet at the moment. I'll keep my eyes open for something bigger, but the next Ford swapmeet around here is Thanksgiving weekend. I already tried Ebay, and found out I really can't stand it.

CZLN6, thanks for the welcome. I'd planned to do the advised ignition upgrades. I've read comments in other threads about all of them and they seem like great low-buck improvements. The car still has it's stock 3 on the tree BTW. Currently all I've done in the half-week since buying it is switch the wheels and tires around to get a pair of 14's on the back, along with taller tires for easier freeway cruising, since it has the 3.50 geared rear that came with the 144.

I've had a bit of experience with these sixes in the past with a 200/4spd powered '63 Comet, and I've got a pretty intimate knowledge of the chassis after building a straight axled '63 Comet which I still own. Sadly it's 170 was on it's last leg and I replaced it with a 289/T5 and an 8".

 

[Vin Man]

Thanks all of you guys for the advice.

Turns out I've got a 144 in my bird, and after weighing the options, I think a rebuild of the stock carb is the best bet at the moment. I'll keep my eyes open for something bigger, but the next Ford swapmeet around here is Thanksgiving weekend. I already tried Ebay, and found out I really can't stand it.

CZLN6, thanks for the welcome. I'd planned to do the advised ignition upgrades. I've read comments in other threads about all of them and they seem like great low-buck improvements. The car still has it's stock 3 on the tree BTW. Currently all I've done in the half-week since buying it is switch the wheels and tires around to get a pair of 14's on the back, along with taller tires for easier freeway cruising, since it has the 3.50 geared rear that came with the 144.

I've had a bit of experience with these sixes in the past with a 200/4spd powered '63 Comet, and I've got a pretty intimate knowledge of the chassis after building a straight axled '63 Comet which I still own. Sadly it's 170 was on it's last leg and I replaced it with a 289/T5 and an 8".

If you were going to spend the ~$100 to have the carb rebuilt, you might as well spend it on the HW5200 and adapter from Langdon Stovebolt. Brand new parts and you'll see the improvement.

If you were going to limit the spend to the ~$20 on a rebuild kit for your existing carb and do it yourself, then go for it! Have fun and welcome to the club.

Where you from?