[66Bronz]

What is the proper carb gasket and/or spacer to use with a Holley/Performer combination? And what are the implications (not including ultimate hood clearance!) of raising & lowering a carb with a spacer? Engine is a street-driven 389. A new duel fuel line setup runs down into the front intake runner, so I can't hook it straight in. If I raised the carb it would clear, but is that a disaster? As always thanks for the info.

[66Bronz]

What is the proper carb gasket and/or spacer to use with a Holley/Performer combination? And what are the implications (not including ultimate hood clearance!) of raising & lowering a carb with a spacer? Engine is a street-driven 389. A new duel fuel line setup runs down into the front intake runner, so I can't hook it straight in. If I raised the carb it would clear, but is that a disaster? As always thanks for the info.

[slowbird]

If you put a 4 hole spacer on it, then it will add to the low end power but if you put a open spacer on it then it adds to the top end. My brother has a 400 with a performer that we run a 1 inch open spacer on and makes a big difference. We tried a 1 inch 4 hole spacer and lost .2 of a second. He has a fairly light car and a high stall converter so the top end help but if you have a stock converter and a heavy car then I think the 4 hole would be better. It just depends on the car and the setup you have. Jim Hand likes to run a spacer that divides the primary but leaves the secondary open and this is like having a 4 hole and an open spacer in one.

[Black 65 GTO]

66Bronz,

To cure your dual feed fuel line problem, try to find a tubing bender and create a slight radius in both tubes entering the fuel bowls. This will elevate the portion of the tubing that runs along the manifold and give you clearance.

Gasket: Make sure you run a heat isolating (thick) type gasket between the manifold and carb. It is common for carburetors to "percolate" the fuel that's in the bowls after the car is shut off, causing fuel to leak from the boosters and drip into the intake. This is caused by engine heat that is soaked up by the carb once the engine has been shut off and allowed to sit. Symptoms can range from a gasoline smell in your garage to fuel puddles on your intake. If you do any amount of street driving, this heat isolator type gasket is mandatory.

[66Bronz]

I was also thinkin of cutting and reflaring the tubing. I'll try a 4-hole spacer 1st. I really like the fitting- has the filter & gauge. It does look like the gasket now is not high enuf off the intake. I think a 1/2" is all I need. I like asking for others' opinions & this site is great

[Cruiser]

Using one of thr phenolic spacers really helps stop the heat transfer problem.I have always prefered the open spacers on my cars.Later Mark B.