383 carb mounting with spacer questions

[71 Fish]

Pulled the carb off for the first time in 10 years to work on the accelerator pump. By the impression made on the manifold to spacer gasket (impression made by the spacer) it looks likely that I have an air leak. By the impression you can see two paths for air to flow between the carb bores thru hollow areas in the botom side of the spacer. I need to run a spacer for air cleaner clearance but dont think this one will work like it is. It seems if it was solid on the bottom it would work. Currently I am using a stock intake with the Moroso 64930 1" tall spacer and a Holley 80508-1 2080 carb. My car is a 71 383 Cuda.The car ran OK like this for what little I have ran it. I am not an engine guy or carb guy so any suggestions on spacer/carbuerator/manifold combinations that will work would be greatly appreciated. Also, should the manifold to spacer gasket have a strip in the middle to seal the left side from the right side?

[jhaag]

Since no one else has answered you I will offer an opinion. Not quite sure where you are seeing a leak? Maybe you could point out what you are talking about in the photos. If you are speaking about the channels in the middle of the holley base plate, they are not leaks. Carb is designed that way. I would use a 4 hole gasket on the bottom just like you have on the top. That would seal each side of the manifold from the other. You have a dual plane manifold where each side feeds 4 cylinders. Not really a big deal either way. Just an FYI a 4 hole spacer is built to increase low end torque, where an open spacer moves the torque range higher in the rpm range. If you had a vacuum leak you should be able to tell by how the car runs.

[burdar]

I don't see anything wrong.  The carb looks like it was sealed to me.  The outer circumference is what you want to look at. 

Edit: Are you talking about the second to last picture?  The right hand side of the gasket in the middle of the opening?  It looks like it doesn't have as good of a seal right there.  It might not have been leaking though.  The problem is your intake doesn't have any meat on that side.

[roadman5312]

I don't see anything wrong.  The carb looks like it was sealed to me.  The outer circumference is what you want to look at.

                                                                                 

[burdar]

I edited my last post.  Look at the second to last picture on the right hand side.  I think that's what he's talking about.

[roadman5312]

Hmmmm, 3rd from last was spacer, upside down. Sealed good on manifold.  2nd to last was carb to spacer, still looks good to me.    Was that manifold originally for a TQ ?

[71 Fish]

Yes, the seal I am talking about is between the bottom of the spacer and the gasket. You can see the impression made by the spacer is not continuous in two places. It seems to me I will need to use a gasket like the one between the carb and the spacer (as someone has suggested) in addition to either filling the voids in the bottom of the spacer or adding a flat plate and another gasket with the same cutout as the spacer (that makes 3 gaskets, a spacer and a plate).

What is a TQ?

Thanks for the spacer info. Is the torque difference noticeable between a 4 hole and open spacer?

[roadman5312]

TQ,  Thermo Quad

[jhaag]

I see your concern now. Wondering why that spacer is made that way. When I googled that part number, they look like they are solid, unless the un pictured side has those cavities as well. Can you turn it over, or are both sides the same? Picture of spacer without gasket? Many other options/designs are out there to use and put your mind at ease. As far as a 4 hole vs open spacer, I doubt you would see much of an effect with your stock dual plane manifold. With an open plenum single, plane manifold they can be a great tuning device.

[71 Fish]

No, the top is solid, the cavities are only on the bottom side so I suppose I could turn it over, did not think of that, thanks.

[Chryco Psycho]

Definatly a problem & I have seen this before , flipping the spacer may not work either depenging how it lines up on the carb base , you need a solid spacer

[HP_Cuda]

You should be able to flip it over, hence get a flat surface for the gasket and whammo your problem should be solved.

If not get a solid spacer.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

Again I disagree , if you look at the vacuum ports in the bottom of the carb they are outside of the raised portion of the intake so it may not put enough pressure on the gasket to seal against the bottom of the carb either , I would find a solid spacer , phenolic would be best

[71 Fish]

After digging thru my carb stuff I found what was likely on there when I bought the car which was a doubled up aluminum plate with a gasket inbetween. I installed that with new gaskets on each side and am confident it is rigid enough to provide for a good seal, not sure why I did not install it originally. Thanks for all the help, Kevin

[Chryco Psycho]

runs better now i assume