Author Topic: Thicker carb base gasket effects  (Read 1383 times)

Offline 7Dcuda

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Thicker carb base gasket effects
« on: April 04, 2017 - 09:44:57 AM »
I need to install thicker heat insulator type gaskets under my carbs (440 with dual quads) to help with fuel percolation in the bowls from heat.

Will the thicker gaskets effect carb. performance or tuning in any way?




Offline Oldschool

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Re: Thicker carb base gasket effects
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2017 - 10:01:56 AM »
How thick are you thinking of going with the new gaskets?
Ken  --  In Georgia

MOPAR-------"Built To Run------Here To Stay"

Offline 7Dcuda

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Re: Thicker carb base gasket effects
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2017 - 10:18:11 AM »
How thick are you thinking of going with the new gaskets?

No more than 1/2"

Offline DocMel

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Re: Thicker carb base gasket effects
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2017 - 10:27:40 AM »
I am more of a fan of heat sheilds than thicker gaskets

Offline Oldschool

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Re: Thicker carb base gasket effects
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2017 - 10:29:48 AM »
No more than 1/2"

If it is no more than a 1/2", I wouldn't think you would need to change anything on the carb.
Ken  --  In Georgia

MOPAR-------"Built To Run------Here To Stay"

Offline Rich G

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Re: Thicker carb base gasket effects
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2017 - 10:30:17 AM »
Did you look at  the cool carb gasket and heat shield. I have it on my street rod and have no problems with it.

Offline burdar

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Re: Thicker carb base gasket effects
« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2017 - 10:42:34 AM »
Most insulating carb gaskets are 5/16" thick.  I wouldn't think that would cause a lot of issues.

Offline mopar jack

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Re: Thicker carb base gasket effects
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2017 - 11:02:00 AM »
I recommend the phenolic spacers or the heat shields. you'll have to select the thickness that still allows hood clearance. I would avoid thick fiber gaskets that are soft. If you over tighten the carb you can break the base, been there. As you get into the thicker spacers it will affect the throttle and kick down linkage.

Offline burdar

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Re: Thicker carb base gasket effects
« Reply #8 on: April 04, 2017 - 11:08:52 AM »
The thick gaskets I've seen have a metal or plastic insert in the mounting holes so you can't over tighten the carb.

Offline mopar jack

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Re: Thicker carb base gasket effects
« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2017 - 11:48:09 AM »
burder I agree. the experince I had was back in the early 80's.

Offline cudabob496

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Re: Thicker carb base gasket effects
« Reply #10 on: April 04, 2017 - 07:24:23 PM »
you can get 12in x 12in pieces of sheet metal from Home Depot,
then cut them to fit and snug up to your carb base , as a heat shield,
without having to remove the carb from the intake.

I took two 8" by 10" pieces of sheetmetal, a while back, and snug them up to the front
and rear of my 850, at the carb/intake seam, to keep the carb cooler.  Got home after driving in 90 degree weather,
and used my temp gun to see if heat shields were working.  Average temp of all components near
and under the front heat shield was about 175, while average of front carb bowl temp and other temps in the area above
the front shield was about 135. So, they do work.  Also, the sheet metal is quite polished, so it must be reflecting a lot
of radiant heat.
« Last Edit: April 04, 2017 - 07:30:42 PM by cudabob496 »
72 Cuda, owned 25 years. 496, with ported Stage VI heads, .625 in solid roller, 254/258 at .050, 3500 stall, 3.91 rear. 850 Holley DP, Reverse manual valve body.

1999 Trans Am, LS1, heads, cam, headers, stall, etc! Love to surprise the rice rockets with this one. They seem so confident, then it's "what the heck just happened?"

2011 Kawasaki Z1000

Offline Racer57

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Re: Thicker carb base gasket effects
« Reply #11 on: April 04, 2017 - 10:03:44 PM »
I put a double layer of refectix on the valley pan under my 383's carb and it helped.

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Thicker carb base gasket effects
« Reply #12 on: April 08, 2017 - 07:57:24 PM »
or use a Cool Carb  insulator

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline YO7_A66

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Re: Thicker carb base gasket effects
« Reply #13 on: April 09, 2017 - 09:46:27 AM »
 I run the CoolCarb spacers and heat shield under my QF carb. I have had them on the car for about 4-5 years now. The only issue with this material is that it is good up to 300 degrees. If your engine compartment gets close to the 300 mark, I would not use this brand.