Have a stock 272 - 2bl, with 3 spd. OD.  Looking at upgrading to 4 barrel set up.  What are the pro or con? Need suggesting on what to look for to do this?  Not trying to build a racer, but looking for better preformist and good drivability. 

If it's essentially a stock 272, you don't want to over carburate it.  Something along the size of a Holley 390 would do.  And make a more economical swap perhaps a "A" manifold with an adapter for the carb assuming you have the smaller port heads.  I believe the next step up Holley is a 435 would probably be just as well.

As far as more performance, I will let the experts chime in.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I used the Adapter with a stock "A" Manifold on my Buddies 56. 390 Holley and 57+ Distributor. I doubt You would notice a Difference using a "B" manifold instead on a Stock Motor.."B" Manifolds seem to have become a little more Pricey lately. The Adapter is a much more economical way to do it. If You find a good "B" Manifold at a good Price buy it.

  

You would need to upgrade to a '57 up distributor if you are still running a '55-'56 Load O Matic distributor. 

All you've mentioned is your carb and manifold.   What kind of cam and exhaust do you have?   All things need to be considered,  including how much money you are willing to throw at it.   What ratio in the rear are you running?    
I've just got my newly rebuilt engine straightened out,  and I love it.   292 made into a 312.   2 barrel holley that was on it when it was 292.   That holley is good all the way to a 390!!   I'm running an Erson cam which the power band is rated from 1250-4250 rpm's.    The  bottom end has a lot more grunt,  and it cruises 65mph easily,  it struggled before.   Butchered dual exhaust with the left side comes out the manifold towards the front and goes down and back.     I'm running a 1 ton truck.   

If it’s a stock 272 and you’re not planning any major rebuilding (cam, head, etc) a set of small dual exhaust manifolds and the A manifold will be fine. A 57 up distributor, and a small Holley will do it. If you’ve got a friend with a stash of older carbs I think the WCFB fits, or for that matter a properly tuned teapot. Ted Eaton has the mods shown to make it work with the later distributor.

It’ll give you a nice street motor with the 3 sp o/d, and run fine on the highway.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ