[Tomaso]

So we got the car running(sort of), and brakes working (new brakes all around and new lines and master cylinder).

I’m having a problem with the carburetor now, where I think it may need a rebuild. But it’s only a 2 barrel carb. I am thinking if it’s just the time now to switch over to a 4 barrel set up?

What are your thoughts and what would you recommend for the 66 Bonneville with a 389? Cast, aluminium? Used, q jet carb, new edelbrock carb?
Where would I be able to find one (I am in Canada)...

[steve25]

If your not concerned with originality then it's cheaper to get a used Performer Intake with a adapter to run a 600 4150 series Holley, or maybe you even better, turn up a used rebuildable Q-jet.

You might even find that a new Performer to be about the same price as a used 68 to 72 iron factory Intake .

[Tomaso]

Originally Posted by steve25

If your not concerned with originality then it's cheaper to get a used Performer Intake with a adapter to run a 600 4150 series Holley, or maybe you even better, turn up a used rebuildable Q-jet.

You might even find that a new Performer to be about the same price as a used 68 to 72 iron factory Intake .

Not really worried about originality. So I am open to that option.

[Skip Fix]

I agree with Steve. If you can find any 65 and later 4bbl that used a square bore you can use and adapter and a Holley. Threw an extra 750 Holley 3310 on my 65 GTO intake over the AFB. The Holley accel pump seems to last longer and easier to start up over long times not running it over the AFB.

The Performer is also way lighter!

[HWYSTR455]

If the carb that's on there only needs a rebuild, just rebuild it, they are pretty easy to rebuild. A factory 2bbl intake and carb for a mild driver is actually a pretty good setup.

What kind of 'problems' ?

If you're just trying to get it running, and still have other stuff to do, rebuild the carb and leave the intake on there. When you switch, you have to account for cable and other brackets, and it can lead to a number of areas of extra work.

So it the intake that's on there has been on there forever, things that could be a problem are things like leaking intake gaskets, cracks around the heat crossover (not too common), leaking vacuum fittings & lines, things like that. Some of those things can make the carb appear as if it's a problem, so closely inspect it all.

It you figure out you have to change intake gaskets, then is a good time to think about going to a 4bbl intake. It would probably be less work to use a replacement one than to clean up the one you have.

If you have your heart on switching to a 4bbl intake and carb, it's hard to go wrong with a Edelbrock perfomer and a Holley 4bbl like a Street Avenger. The issues that were seen a number of years ago with the Avengers have been for the most part resolved, just buy from a vendor who has a good turnover of inventory, so you don't get old stock.

Post some pics. You would be surprised at what the 'eagle-eyed' folks around here can pick up on and help with.


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[tom s]

For a driver I would go with the factory 4 bbl intake and factory AFB.To save weight a Performer and the factory 4bbl AFB.Carbs are reasonable and many guys rebuild them.Tom

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

If the carb that's on there only needs a rebuild, just rebuild it, they are pretty easy to rebuild. A factory 2bbl intake and carb for a mild driver is actually a pretty good setup.

This is what I'd do. The two barrel carburetor is simple and it works well for a street driver. If running properly it should still have plenty of pep.

It is kind of unusual for a Bonneville to have a two barrel carburetor - they came with a 325hp four barrel carburetor engine as standard equipment. The original owner must have specifically ordered it with the less powerful 256hp two barrel carburetor engine (it was a no cost option.)

You can look at the prestige brochure for 1966 here, it has a lot of good information: http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/stati.../dirindex.html

[Tomaso]

For the 2 barrel. I believe it's just the float that is causing the issue for the car to die out when revving.

What I'm worried about now is that it has such low HP then? Would I be disappointed with the 2 barrel if I rebuilt it?...

[HWYSTR455]

Unless there's been a cam swap to something bigger than what it came with, I think you will be surprised how well it runs. You really aren't loosing anything.

I've had a few 2bbl cars that would smoke the tires easy, the setup is pretty balanced from the factory.

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[Poncho60]

Premium fuel 2bl should be rated 290 hp I believe.

[Tomaso]

Originally Posted by Poncho60

Premium fuel 2bl should be rated 290 hp I believe.

Okay. That's not too too bad. Until I get an engine rebuild later. (Like in a year or two) Then maybe I should be okay with the 2bbl. For now.

[Tomaso]

Attached are some pics. What do you think?

[NeighborsComplaint]

Pick up a used Edelbrock Performer intake and a remanufactured 750/3310 or 770 Street Avenger from the Holley Store on eBay. You may even want to consider a 600CFM Holley for your current application. The smaller carb will run great and be very responsive on the street.

[HWYSTR455]

That actually looks worse than it probably is. Most of it will clean up, and is from leaks. All the gaskets are old, and with newer gas I'm sure is eaten up.

Get a quality rebuild kit, 2 cans of carb cleaner, and one of those carb 'bucket' cleaners:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

You will find many other uses for that bucket by the way, so the $28 won't seem like such a kick in the teeth.

Get the list number off of it, and go to a place like this to grab a rebuild kit:

https://quadrajetparts.com

All those rubber lines are done, replace them. Take pics as a reference.

Once you have the carb off, and lines out of the way, clean the intake as best you can without disturbing it too much, and look along the edges where it meets the heads. See if pieces are missing, etc, and if you think you might have to do intake gaskets. Post pics here for more recommendations/opinions.

I've seen worse, that's actually not too bad. Like I said, it might look bad, but it's from all the leaks and dirt.

Even if you have issues with it after, it will be easier to replace the intake once/if you've done an R&R.

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[HWYSTR455]

There are vids on YouTube you can watch if you want, there's tons of references out there that will help.

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[Tomaso]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

That actually looks worse than it probably is. Most of it will clean up, and is from leaks. All the gaskets are old, and with newer gas I'm sure is eaten up.

Get a quality rebuild kit, 2 cans of carb cleaner, and one of those carb 'bucket' cleaners:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

You will find many other uses for that bucket by the way, so the $28 won't seem like such a kick in the teeth.

Get the list number off of it, and go to a place like this to grab a rebuild kit:

https://quadrajetparts.com

All those rubber lines are done, replace them. Take pics as a reference.

Once you have the carb off, and lines out of the way, clean the intake as best you can without disturbing it too much, and look along the edges where it meets the heads. See if pieces are missing, etc, and if you think you might have to do intake gaskets. Post pics here for more recommendations/opinions.

I've seen worse, that's actually not too bad. Like I said, it might look bad, but it's from all the leaks and dirt.

Even if you have issues with it after, it will be easier to replace the intake once/if you've done an R&R.

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Great!! Thank you so much for the info..
Can any one tell from the pics what kind of 2bbl that is? I noticed there was different options on the link provided doe the rebuild kit.

I was going to get the rebuild kit from Rock Auto. There's only one option available and I'm wondering if that kit will work?

[Schurkey]

That's a typical Rochester 2-Jet, with a hot-air choke.

The important part is getting an accelerator pump that will withstand modern fuel. My mother bought a '77 Nova with a similar carb, I have no idea how many accelerator pumps got installed, there were never-ending problems with the accelerator pump. As Cliff Ruggles says, just because the pump has a blue "rubber" seal doesn't mean it will withstand modern fuel. I finally bought one from him because nothing else was working long-term for me.

Someone screwed-up your fuel tube by cutting it to install an aftermarket fuel filter. Plain rubber hose on the pressure side of the fuel pump is never a good idea.

WHAT IS YOUR FUEL PRESSURE WHEN THE ENGINE DIES?

[Tomaso]

Originally Posted by Schurkey

That's a typical Rochester 2-Jet, with a hot-air choke.

The important part is getting an accelerator pump that will withstand modern fuel. My mother bought a '77 Nova with a similar carb, I have no idea how many accelerator pumps got installed, there were never-ending problems with the accelerator pump. As Cliff Ruggles says, just because the pump has a blue "rubber" seal doesn't mean it will withstand modern fuel. I finally bought one from him because nothing else was working long-term for me.

Someone screwed-up your fuel tube by cutting it to install an aftermarket fuel filter. Plain rubber hose on the pressure side of the fuel pump is never a good idea.

WHAT IS YOUR FUEL PRESSURE WHEN THE ENGINE DIES?

I haven't checked the pressure. It idles fine. However, as soon as you put pressure on gas peddle it dies out.
If you rev it hard. It will rev hard. And then even go back to low idle when released. But as soon as you put small amount of gas with peddle. It dies out again...
Same thing in reverse...

[Stuart]

I'd suggest going to The Carburetor Shop for a rebuild kit, to make sure you get a high quality one. Jon is a member here on the board, and knows Pontiacs and carburetors inside and out. http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/

[steve25]

If you do stay with the 2bbl Carb atleast in 66 it was the big cfm Carb like what came on the tripower motors if I am not mistaken.