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By 56_Fairlane - 8 Years Ago
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I've heard you can get better mileage with carbs other that the t-pot. I didn't really notice any difference with performance between the two carbs when driving. Right now I'm debating whether to go back to my original t-pot set up re-install the Autolite 4100. If I go back to the t-pot, I will need to have it rebuilt correctly and use the original dual diaphragm distributor which I have. The old t-pot caught fire once and nearly a second time which is why I switched to the B manifold and 4100 carb. Right now I'm trying to sort out the manifold to carb heat issues on the B manifold that I was using. The internal manifold heat pipes are rotted away and caused a small exhaust leak only noticed when driving but it is also sent exhaust into the carb choke thermostat. I can fix this correctly and fairly inexpensively without switching to an electric choke. The t-pot route would be more expensive but would keep the car original. Is there any improvement in fuel economy if I use the 4100? I know the 4100 wouldn't catch fire as easily as the t-pot.
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By paul2748 - 8 Years Ago
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You can modify the T Pot to use the 57 and later distributor. Pretty easy. Instructions are here somewhere.
I guess it's a personal choice. I opted to keep my T Pot (56 Bird) and modified it for the later distributor.
The 4100 is probably a better carb (more modern as it goes).
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By charliemccraney - 8 Years Ago
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You only have to do the modification if you want to use the vacuum advance of the later distributor with a ported vacuum source.
You can also use manifold vacuum, which requires no modification to the carburetor.
Here's a link to Ted's article for modifying the Holley 4000 for ported vacuum.
http://www.eatonbalancing.com/2013/03/02/modifying-the-holley-teapot-four-barrel-carb-for-late-model-distributors/
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By 56_Fairlane - 8 Years Ago
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Thanks guys, I had already been using the newer distributor with the t-pot before the final carb issue. I personally like the 4100 carb because to me it's a simpler carb than the t-pot and I've never had one catch fire.
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By Florida_Phil - 8 Years Ago
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The teapot carb is for people who are into originality. I'm sure they can be made to work, but why would you want to? When I bought my 55 Bird it still had it's original tea pot and load-a-matic distributor. I carefully packed them away for future owners and installed a 57 manifold, new Holley 465 and rebuilt 57 distributor. The car runs so much better I will never go back. Back in the day we called the teapot carb all kinds of not so nice names like "towering inferno" and "toilet bowl". I have seen more than one of these carbs burn the hood off. In my opinion the teapot carb and load-a-matic wasn't one of Ford's better ideas. I guess someone at the factory figured this out when they went to the better carb and distributor in '57. If you're after gas mileage, I'm pretty sure a 57 Ford two barrel carb and intake would outperform a teapot and load-a-matic. I'm sure I will get all kinds of flack for my comments, but my experience tells me what I know to be true.
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By 56_Fairlane - 8 Years Ago
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I was lucky the fire didn't have a chance to get bad enough to cause any damage. It was hit with extinguishers really quickly.
I'm looking at reliability as my priority and fuel economy as second. I'm leaning to stay with the Autolite. It's the simplest type of 4 bbl carb I've ever worked on. The "fire pot" is the only carb I've ever had catch fire and I've had and worked on a lot of vehicles with carbs. I personally think it's a really bad design. Why in the world would you put a float bowl directly above and area that can have backfires? I remember my wife's grandfather had a 56 Victoria and he kept a fire extinguisher below the front seat by the transmission tunnel. I thought he was just safety minded but I understand now he had it ready in case the carb caught fire.
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