Installation of an Edelbrock 1406 carb (the "economy-tuned" electric choke version of the 600 cfm Performer) was completed yesterday on my '58 President with mildly modified original 289. (Yes I prefer authenticity and respect the WCFB, but lingering issues with this one finally pushed me over the brink.)
Using info from old forum posts, Ray Fichthorn's web page as well as additional guidance from Jeff, I located a decent AFB intake (with date code September '62). Anticipating the use of Mr. Gasket #98 insulator/spacer, the original studs were removed prior to taking the intake for powder coating. Bengal silver (clear-coated) was a close match to the silver engine enamel applied when the engine was rebuilt a little over two years ago. The same shop that built the engine installed the intake and the 1406, did a great shop fabricating new lines. This included relocating the partial-flow filter to accommodate later installation of a Vintage Air system if and when I ever recover from Tax Day.
I've always considered the R1 chrome air cleaner to be a great piece of industrial art. With the optional base plate offered by vendors said to be suitable for the Edelbrock (and the new air cleaner I had purchased on impulse from S-I three years ago), I seemed to have a perfect solution.
This base plate has a pronounced drop, so that it didn't clear the electric choke. This was easily remedied by a 0.5" aluminum ring spacer for the baseplate. Not so easily remedied was the very low position of the filter lid over the carburetor air horn, leaving a very restricted air space over the inlet. A much taller filter element was considered but would have altered the appearance. Finally, the new air cleaner interfered with the oil filler cap at the front of the engine. While the '58 sedan factory air cleaner housing is significantly larger than the R1 unit, it is also offset to the rear for this reason.
In this case an easy solution was the #85-3540 K&N baseplate and matching mounting post, same 14" diameter but allowing 1.5" offset. It's about twenty bucks, it resolved all three issues, the spacer ring wasn't needed.
The carb performs beautifully out of the box, seems to enhance the effect of the "R Plus" cam. Throttle response is dramatically improved. The bit of intake moan evokes memories of a metallic orange L48 Camaro nearly forty years ago. No regrets. Thanks for the guidance.
Using info from old forum posts, Ray Fichthorn's web page as well as additional guidance from Jeff, I located a decent AFB intake (with date code September '62). Anticipating the use of Mr. Gasket #98 insulator/spacer, the original studs were removed prior to taking the intake for powder coating. Bengal silver (clear-coated) was a close match to the silver engine enamel applied when the engine was rebuilt a little over two years ago. The same shop that built the engine installed the intake and the 1406, did a great shop fabricating new lines. This included relocating the partial-flow filter to accommodate later installation of a Vintage Air system if and when I ever recover from Tax Day.
I've always considered the R1 chrome air cleaner to be a great piece of industrial art. With the optional base plate offered by vendors said to be suitable for the Edelbrock (and the new air cleaner I had purchased on impulse from S-I three years ago), I seemed to have a perfect solution.
This base plate has a pronounced drop, so that it didn't clear the electric choke. This was easily remedied by a 0.5" aluminum ring spacer for the baseplate. Not so easily remedied was the very low position of the filter lid over the carburetor air horn, leaving a very restricted air space over the inlet. A much taller filter element was considered but would have altered the appearance. Finally, the new air cleaner interfered with the oil filler cap at the front of the engine. While the '58 sedan factory air cleaner housing is significantly larger than the R1 unit, it is also offset to the rear for this reason.
In this case an easy solution was the #85-3540 K&N baseplate and matching mounting post, same 14" diameter but allowing 1.5" offset. It's about twenty bucks, it resolved all three issues, the spacer ring wasn't needed.
The carb performs beautifully out of the box, seems to enhance the effect of the "R Plus" cam. Throttle response is dramatically improved. The bit of intake moan evokes memories of a metallic orange L48 Camaro nearly forty years ago. No regrets. Thanks for the guidance.
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