Anyway, I'm back on task with dual quads on my '55 Customline 272 automatic. I have scored a matching pair of WCFB's #2404-SA (Mercury ECU9510F) on an Edelbrock FM257. Near as I can tell, the PO removed the vacuum chambers that actuate the secondaries and was just operating on the primaries wirh a non-progressive linkage.

Anyone have an opinion as to how this would work? Would progressive linkage be better? I'm just into it for the looks, so having all 8 barrels working really doesn't concern me too much.

Thanks,

brodie

I think non progressive linkage would work best for even fuel/air distribution.  That's the way the factory 2-4s were, with vacuum secondaries.  The secondaries were also synchronized with a balance tube between the secondary vacuum passages, at least on the teapots.  I don't know if the Merc 2-4s used balanced secondary vacuum.

Incidentally, I just re-installed my correct '56 dual fours and correct '56 2-4 carbs on my '56 Bird, and took the FMX out and put the T85-OD back in.  Had removed them for my wife about 25 years ago, but with her new knee and hip, she can't operate the pedals any more, so I changed it back.  Wow!  I had forgotten how much fun that car was to drive.

I"m currently doing a 60 over,B&B,312 with the M260 camshaft (thanks Dennis K for the specs) and the original dual quads with a T10 wide box (original shifter) for next winters project for my 56 Bird.

I think that L be a fun ride

Glad to see your Birds all back together with the optional goodies.Theres probably only 10 of those setups running these days.

Oldmics

I ran that setup on my Bird for years, never a fire, never a backfire.  Always started it per the manual, cold, pump the gas once and take my foot off the pedal.  Warm, foot off the pedal, hit the starter.  My wife couldn't get the concept, always insisted on giving it some pedal when starting.  She set it on fire twice that way.  That's why I took the duals off and put a single carb on it.  Since she has finally admitted she physically can't drive the car any more, I put it back the way I wanted it.  Love it again.  Seems quicker than my F engined '57 Bird.  Stick car has a better rear gear ratio, probably why it seems quicker.  Back in the day, with a bigger cam, 4.55 and slicks, it went 14.20s.  The '57 has gone 14.40s on street tires and 4.11.

Forgot to mention.  I also have my old Hurst Synchro-Loc shifter in it.  Bought it new from Honest Charley back in the '60s.  Gave less than $20, has the short handle for the T-Bird.  Shifts a lot better than the original Bird shifter.

Thanks for the info...so you foresee a problem operating on just the primaries...

I see no problem operating on primaries only.  I just think you should syncronize the throttles, not use progressive linkage.  I would set the accelerator pumps in their lowest output positions if you have a choice.

Thanks