I installed the Ford 2x4 intake and a pair of Edelbrock 500cfm carbs on my '58 Fairlane with a 292. The throttle bellcrank no longer fits do I replace it with a throttle cable? If so, what about the trans kickdown on my Fordomatic? Can I replace the kickdown rod for a cable as well? Sorry if these sound like dumb questions by I'm a novice mechanic. All help is greatly appreciated.

58 Ford Custom 300 - San Pedro, CA (So-Cal)

If you’re talking about the T-Bird bellcrank that is bolted between the carbs, that shouldn’t be needed unless the carbs are being installed facing to the back.  From the factory, the carbs faced forward on the cars and backwards on the Thunderbirds.  I'm also assuming you've modified the valley pan for the Ford 2X4 intake as those fit lower than the stock intakes.  If you’re talking about the bellcrank on the firewall or the kickdown linkage that bolts to the intake, then assuming the intake has the capability of bolting the kickdown linkage to it, fabricating a new carburetor rod from the kickdown linkage to the twin carb connecting link would be the simple fix.  A simple progressive throttle rod connecting the two carbs on the drivers side should be adequate and then you can hook either the solid link from the kickdown linkage to that.  If both carbs are working together, then hooking up the throttle linkage to the rear carb would also be an option but I would opt to have a longer link that would hook up somewhere in the center of the connecting carb link.  Other site members have posted on how to hook up cable linkage for the automatics so perform a search for that.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks Ted. I was referring to the bellcrank that mounts to the manifold. Now that I have two carbs the bellcrank will no longer mount in the same position because it hits the rear carb. I tried moving it back to allow for extra room but it seems that I don't have enough travel.

Here's what I plan to do, tell me if it'll work.

I 'll purchase the universal bellcrank from Mr.Gasket that way I can still utilize the existing kickdown rod. Then I plan on replacing the gas pedal rod with a cable type system that would pull the Mr. Gasket bellcrank and thus move the kickdown at the same time.

Will this work????

58 Ford Custom 300 - San Pedro, CA (So-Cal)

Easyissy;

I also have a pair of Edlbrock 500 cfm(#1404) carbs on my '56 Customline. However, I'm running a manual transmission and an Edlebrock #257 dual Quad intake with "trans-dapt" adapter plates. I am assuming that you want to retain the original gas pedal, but if you dont, Lokar makes very nice cable pull gas pedals that are easy to set-up and automatic kick-down set-ups too for your automatic trans.

Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

Thanks Rono for the ideas. Is this what you're using? (Lokar) Could you post pics of your set-up? Please It's kinda hard with that damn bellcrank in the way.

58 Ford Custom 300 - San Pedro, CA (So-Cal)

Yes, I'm using the cable pull type gas pedal set-up on my '56 Customline. This set-up uses a "bulkhead" type grommet to run the cable through the firewall from the pedal assembly. You get rid of the bell crank all together. With the Edlebrock carb throttle linkage on the left hand side it's easy to set up. I'm also running progressive linkage between the carbs. I don't have any close-up pictures on hand, but I'll take some tomorrow and (try to) post them.

Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

Photos would help alot and any tuning tips you could give me on adjusting these carbs would be greatly appreciated. The only thing is with your manual transmission it does'nt really help me much with my kickdown problem. But I think that universal bellcrank from Mr.Gasket might be my solution.

Thanks to all for your help.

58 Ford Custom 300 - San Pedro, CA (So-Cal)

Did you have to change anything out? (jets, rods,springs) Which ones did you use?? Any info would be great.

58 Ford Custom 300 - San Pedro, CA (So-Cal)

Here are a couple of pics of my throttle linkage set-up. As far as tuning the dual quads goes, I had the engine dynoed and the car adjustments were done at that time. They had to spend quite a bit of time changing the metering rods and jets, but I would recommend spending the money and having that done. It will save you alot of headaches.

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

Thanks Rono for all the info it's greatly appreciated. This is gonna save me a lot of time.

About having it dynoed and adjusted, how much did somthing like that cost?? I'm on a budget but I'm willing to spend the money to avoid any headaches.

Where did you take it?? A Speed Shop???

58 Ford Custom 300 - San Pedro, CA (So-Cal)