WCFB carburetor

[colt45sa]

Yes, for those of us accustomed to fabrication.

No, not really, for Joe CASO. There has been more than once I've gotten a frantic call from a Studer. "I bought this Edelbrock and the guys on the forum said it's a bolt-on, but nothing fits. The secondaries won't clear the intake, the throttle linkage doesn't clear, the fuel line doesn't fit, the air filter doesn't fit, where does the PCV go and how do I wire up the electric choke? Can you come across town because I've got the old carb off the car."
I've got a shelf full of Carter WCFB, Carter AFB, Edelbrock and quite a few Rochester 4GCs and Quadrajets. I've lost count of the Holleys left over from my racing days. Bottom line, there's no one best carburetor for all applications and very few are a bolt on to a Studebaker V8. That's why a professionally remanufactured WCFB is just right for many here.

jack vines

The original WCFB on a 1955 259 flowed at about 385cfm I think. Simply replacing it with a 500cfm AFB might be just a tiny bit much for that small displacement 259. I think that there might also be a difference in throttle bore size between the early WCFB and the later ones produced, and that would create a problem with the intake manifold (unless you sent it to Jim Rice for modification). The WCFB I have sitting on my breakfast bar (I'm a single guy) is from a '62-'65 Chevy/Corvette and the bores measure 1-7/16". The 2214A I have from a '55 President is in the trunk of my car right now so I can't measure it at the moment.
National Carburetor will rebuild that WCFB for $199 and do one fine job. If you want it restored and looking better than 'brand new', there are several people who can do that for you .. BTW, Daytona Parts does not restore carbs any more, they are simply selling kits. That's really a shame because his work was impeccable.

[PackardV8]

an Edelbrock 1403 on my Lark. . . . used the adapter plate (Speedway #1351935), the carb link bushings (Speedway #54564920), the chrome fuel line (Edelbrock #8126), and an Edelbrock air cleaner.

For the CASOs among us who might be contemplating the same swap, do you have a total for carb, adapter, bushings, fuel line, air cleaner and shipping?

jack vines

[studeclunker]

Daved T. sells rebuilt WCFBs, for about $10,000

LOL, oh come now Joe! I have an old WCFB sitting around... somewhere in the shop, complete with the air cleaner. It's suffering from a bad case of Rigor-mortis, however I think Dave might be able to resurrect it. Of course, Bess runs quite satisfactorily on her two. So probably better off leaving well enough alone.

[colt45sa]

Daytona Parts Co. is the only place to buy a carb kit, IMO.

He also has a patented needle & seat that you might want to look at. He has stopped restoring carbs, which to me is a real loss to the hobby. His workmanship was the epitome of restoration. When you got your carb back from him, it was gorgeous. Bolt it on and head off to the show. We used him on numerous occasions back in the day.

[colt45sa]

Any WCFB Model used on a Studebaker, would work just fine, wrong year or not.

NONE of the minor "tweaking" they did from year to year, would make it a no fit.

I have a Studebaker WCFB that has the correct throttle lever and dash-pot mount on it. It also has the air dapening counter weight on the secondaries. I'd like to know what that carb cae from. When did they use the 'counter weight' and for what application? I'd also be interested in knowing what the 'tweeking' was over the years and what differences those tweekings were suppose to make in performance.

[StudeRich]

To determine what Model carter WCFB you have, you just need to read the Brass Tag under a Top Cover Screw.

Sorry the Carter and Studebaker Engineers are probably no longer with us to ask what they accomplished with revisions.

We do know that the later models like 1962, (the last that Studebaker used) were the latest and greatest with a Brass baffle between the Needle and Seat and the Float to reduce flooding when cornering, they also did have the "Secondary Dust Doors".

Studebaker WCFB's have Secondaries that open at about 3/4 Primary Throttle opening, not WOT like an AFB.

The WCFB was a Economy 4 Barrel, not a Super Performance Carb. so do not expect the newer ones to do anything much, after all they are only a square bore, no big secondaries.

[altair]

Mid 60s Buick, Chrysler and Cadillac AFBs will fit. I have a '63 259 with 63 Buick 401 AFB on it and it works great. The car is 6 volts and the engine starts and runs on 6 volts, it turns one or two revolutions and starts up smartly. I put the four barrel on as a novelty to see if it could be done. I still have the two barrel assembly if the four barrel system didn't work. These early four barrels have the vacuum choke and that is what I wanted. An electric choke is also a good option. I picked up three early AFBs at swap meets for $10 each. Two have some corrosion and one, the Buick I put right on as it was. Most of the early AFB carb castings are the same and parts can be mixed and matched. Good luck Dave

[SN-60]

I have a Studebaker WCFB that has the correct throttle lever and dash-pot mount on it. It also has the air dapening counter weight on the secondaries. I'd like to know what that carb cae from. When did they use the 'counter weight' and for what application? I'd also be interested in knowing what the 'tweeking' was over the years and what differences those tweekings were suppose to make in performance.

The only Studebaker factory WCFB I've seen with a counterweight on the secondaries was the one used on the 1956 Golden Hawk.

[colt45sa]

I replaced my WCFB with a AFB as the AFB didn't cost me anything it was a spare I had laying around , I HAVE the WCFB BUT ITS A BASKET CASE IN pieces along with a instruction sheet it's yours for free I won't ever use it. Just pay postage and I'll sent it to you. I'm in Western Washington on Hood Canal.

Contact me by my e-mail belfairsoper@gmail.com I'm busy with my wife sick so I don't always answer right away but this e-mail is the best way to find me.

The tag Id on the WCFB reads as follows 2219SA and below that number is a 2 digit number that's hard to read I think it says E5

The brass tag reads as follows; model number is '2219SA' (correct in 1955 with 1st update). The two digit number is 'E' (5th letter in alphabet indicates 5th month of year, May) while the '5' is the last number of the year. Your carb was originally on a car built in May 1955.

[colt45sa]

Daved T. sells rebuilt WCFBs, for about $10,000

$10,000~???????????????

[colt45sa]

The most recent better-than-new WCFB a customer had done by Daytona Carburetor was nearly $500, with shipping both ways. It's beautiful.

I think Dave Thibault would do as well for less as does our local carb shop.

It's about a wash as far as cost and performance goes, but the WCFB is original; choke, lines, linkage, air filter all bolt up and the shiny Edelbrock isn't/doesn't. Sadly

Some want bling, some want original. Your build, your money, your decision.

jack vines

Sadly, Daytona Parts is no longer restoring carburetors. His work was almost museum quality. Simply beautiful and the colors were perfect. Had quite a few carbs restored by him and every customer was thrilled~!

[colt45sa]

Yes, for those of us accustomed to fabrication.

No, not really, for Joe CASO. There has been more than once I've gotten a frantic call from a Studer. "I bought this Edelbrock and the guys on the forum said it's a bolt-on, but nothing fits. The secondaries won't clear the intake, the throttle linkage doesn't clear, the fuel line doesn't fit, the air filter doesn't fit, where does the PCV go and how do I wire up the electric choke? Can you come across town because I've got the old carb off the car."

I've got a shelf full of Carter WCFB, Carter AFB, Edelbrock and quite a few Rochester 4GCs and Quadrajets. I've lost count of the Holleys left over from my racing days. Bottom line, there's no one best carburetor for all applications and very few are a bolt on to a Studebaker V8. That's why a professionally remanufactured WCFB is just right for many here.

jack vines

As usual, Jack is 1000% right. When you've found a guy who always gives a straight, knowledgeable, experienced answer, why would you ask anyone else~!

[colt45sa]

The only Studebaker factory WCFB I've seen with a counterweight on the secondaries was the one used on the 1956 Golden Hawk.

WOW~! If that's true I have a rare find. It's also very interesting because I know what the counter weights do and how they affect performance. What I also find interesting is the fact that I've never experienced a bogging or stumble when floor boarding an auto-trans car with a 4-bbl carb., and don't understand whether the counter weight dampening of the air flow was in fact actually effective~!

[colt45sa]

I replaced my WCFB with a AFB as the AFB didn't cost me anything it was a spare I had laying around , I HAVE the WCFB BUT ITS A BASKET CASE IN pieces along with a instruction sheet it's yours for free I won't ever use it. Just pay postage and I'll sent it to you. I'm in Western Washington on Hood Canal.

Contact me by my e-mail belfairsoper@gmail.com I'm busy with my wife sick so I don't always answer right away but this e-mail is the best way to find me.

The tag Id on the WCFB reads as follows 2219SA and below that number is a 2 digit number that's hard to read I think it says E5

Your WCFB if from 1955 (2219SA) and the E5 stamp means May (E) 1955 )5)