I have a 272 in my 55 Fairlane Victoria that I recently changed from a 2 barrel carb to a 500 cfm 4 barrel from Edelbrock. The car idles great and seems to run ok at slow speeds but is very non responsive if you give it any gas. It bogs down when you put any load on it. I have checked all the fuel lines for blockage, adjusted the timing back and forth, adjusted the idle screws and nothing seems to fix it. Any ideas what the problem could be? The car is stock but was rebuilt a couple of years ago before I obtained it. The data code on the car says it came from the factory with a 4 barrel but somewhere along the line someone converted it to a 2 barrel. I put a correct 4 barrel manifold from a 56.

What Distributor is on it? Original Loadomatic or the later 57+ Style?

  

original

The new carb you installed doesn't have the same vacuum signal that was provided by the original carb. The original has a port in the venturi of the carb that provides a signal proportional to the AIR FLOW through the venturi. That then attempts to match the spark advance to the intake volume - engine speed. If you open the distributor cap, are there a pair of visible springs up on the point plate?

Your new style carb has two vacuum ports - but neither of them provides venturi vacuum. One is manifold vacuum - the other is "ported" manifold vacuum. Neither one can work with the old distributor. If you floor it - this carb gives a very low vacuum signal to the old distributor, retarding spark advance severely.

Best option is to find a '57 or newer - up to 1964 Y-block distributor that will work with the carb's vacuum signal. Many get theirs from a rebuilder - ask for the unit for a 1964 F-100 truck with a 292 engine. Cardone has a useful rebuilt unit - you will also need to get the cap to match.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Cardone 30-2808. Many on Ebay. Check with any Auto Parts Store for Price. Just give them that Information. You need Cap AND Rotor. Use 1968 Mustang 302 for Application. Your existing Wires will work with replacement cap. 

  

Thanks for the info, I will open the distributor cap and look as soon as I get home to the car.

This is a Picture of the original 55-56 Loadomatic Distributor which won't work with the new Carb. Springs are visible when the Cap is removed. 57+ are hidden by Breaker Plate.

  

Thanks for the picture. If I order the  Cardone 30-2808 for a 1957 will it just swap out with the old loadomatic?

Yes and it should run better than ever.


Lawrenceville, GA

Yes. Just order by Part #. The Counter Guy will get confused if You tell him its for a 57. Check around for Price because there seems to be quite a variance in Price for the same Item.Don't turn your old One in as a "Core". Worth it to hold onto it.