Reputable Carb Rebuilders?

[DilloCrafter]

I got word today that my Champion six motor is nearing completion, but heard that the two Carter WE 1-barrel carbs I bought for a dual Offenhauser intake setup are bad (one was a NORS rebuild and one was a used carb I rebuilt with a kit). They both "dump fuel into the intake". In one case there is a leaky float. The engine rebuilder didn't look into the other one's reason for failure. Instead, he had to put the original Carter BBR and stock manifold back on the engine. Even with the one-carb setup, the engine dyno'd at 195 h.p., which is twice the original Studebaker spec of 92 h.p. Still, I want to get that dual Offenhauser setup working, to get 15 more h.p., and especially because it will look cool.

My question to you guys: have you tried any of the carburetor rebuilders (not exchange/swappers)? Or do you know someone who has, with good results? There is one rebuilder that looks pretty impressive, at least from reading their website: Carburetor USA www.carburetorUSA.com

I'm open to any suggestions for reputable carburetor rebuilders. Who would you use if you needed a superb rebuild, for example, someone who replates the carb body to ensure it was not porous and that it was protected from corrosion?


1955 1/2 Ton Pickup

[DEEPNHOCK]

As a side note...
Do you have a Uni-Syn tool to synch up the carbs?
Makes a big difference in idle quality.
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by DilloCrafter

I got word today that my Champion six motor is nearing completion, but heard that the two Carter WE 1-barrel carbs I bought for a dual Offenhauser intake setup are bad (one was a NORS rebuild and one was a used carb I rebuilt with a kit). They both "dump fuel into the intake". In one case there is a leaky float. The engine rebuilder didn't look into the other one's reason for failure. Instead, he had to put the original Carter BBR and stock manifold back on the engine. Even with the one-carb setup, the engine dyno'd at 195 h.p., which is twice the original Studebaker spec of 92 h.p. Still, I want to get that dual Offenhauser setup working, to get 15 more h.p., and especially because it will look cool.

My question to you guys: have you tried any of the carburetor rebuilders (not exchange/swappers)? Or do you know someone who has, with good results? There is one rebuilder that looks pretty impressive, at least from reading their website: Carburetor USA www.carburetorUSA.com

I'm open to any suggestions for reputable carburetor rebuilders. Who would you use if you needed a superb rebuild, for example, someone who replates the carb body to ensure it was not porous and that it was protected from corrosion?


1955 1/2 Ton Pickup

DEEPNHOCK at Cox.net
'37 Coupe Express
'37 Coupe Express Trailer
'61 Hawk

http://community.webshots.com/user/deepnhock

[N8N]

195 HP....?

Pics and dyno sheets, we want... sounds pretty cool

who is building the motor?

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop

http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[Laemmle]

I had my carb (carter) rebuilt by the Holly factory...they did an UNBELIEVABLE job...the highest praise from me...I will send info if you request.

[DilloCrafter]

Jeff,
I had a Corvair as my first car, so I know the value of that Uni-syn carburetor balancer. My neighbor recently bought a Corvair convertible, and I talked him into buying a Uni-syn, which I plan to borrow for that dual-carb setup on my truck (once I get the carbs professionally rebuilt, that is).

Nate,
The rebuilder is David Beedle, at GPO Automotive Machine Shop in Cheyenne, WY. His phone is (307) 638-0920, and he loves rebuilding Studebakers. When he first told me that it could get nearly 200 h.p., I found it unbelievable. So, naturally, I was willing to pay for him to dyno it. After all, I'll want to show that dyno sheet whenever I show off the truck[8D]. Special thanks to forum member Bunzard for telling me about this great rebuilder.

And when it all gets installed and is finally looking good enough to photograph, you can bet I'll post some pictures.

1955 1/2 Ton Pickup

[N8N]

figures, the guy is as far away from me as you could be in the lower 48 :/

Anyway let us know how it turns out...

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop

http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[Roscomacaw]

Nate moans: "figures, the guy is as far away from me as you could be in the lower 48"

Have you looked at a map lately, Nate?[}]

Dillo, Dave T-bow does a great job on the vintage carbs and all he does is Studebaker stuff.
I figure I can build a carb (with a kit) as good as anyone. But Dave goes beyond simple kitting. I've used two carbs thru the years that he's had hands on and they've been excellent.

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[DilloCrafter]

Thanks, Biggsy. You make me scratch my head sometimes, though. I finally realized you were phonetically spelling,"Thibeault". After a search in this forum, I came across a recent post where you told someone how to get in touch with Dave:
"Dave Thibeault - no question about it! (978)-897-3158"

That's exactly the kind of rebuilder I need, so I'll give him a call. Thanks also to Laemmle for sending me the Holly information. It's good to have two solid choices.

By the way, I saw a real Hawk in my back yard the other day (not the wheeled kind). When I showed him to my cockatiel, and he watched the hawk flap from one location in the yard to another, the little parrot instinctively came unglued and flew out of the room! I guess if I get a 60's Studebaker in the future it will have to be a Lark, not a Hawk. My poor little bird may not be thrilled to ride in a "predator" car.

1955 1/2 Ton Pickup

[DilloCrafter]

Looks like I'll have to hold off a while on converting the new engine to a dual-carb setup (which would entail paying for rebuilding two leaky carburetors professionally, painting or ceramic coating the Cathcart-fabricated dual exhaust headers, pipes and mufflers for a dual setup, probably an electric fuel pump mounted farther away from the exhaust manifold than the stock fuel pump, etc....)

The reason I'm going to delay all that stuff is that I found out the freight cost for shipping the engine and trans (and assorted boxes of spare parts) will cost a few hundred dollars more than we expected it to. Or, I can do my taxes early and hope for a good refund.

1955 1/2 Ton Pickup