Fuel System: Carb suggestions for Chevy baker

[HawkBuilder]

My first Chevy baker. Picked up a '66 2-door Daytona. No engine or trans. I knew of a 4-door '65 Commander in a club member's salvage yard and got the 283 V8 out of it. It has the original 2 bbl carb. And I talked to the guy who owned and drove the Commander back in early 2000s. He said he got 27 mpg, which I find hard to believe, since it was an automatic. And now I'm having the engine rebuilt... So, what carb should I use? I'm inclined to keep the 2 bbl, if it gets better mileage than a 4 bbl. And I'm old now, so not so much of a lead-foot anymore. What say you? If there is a 4 bbl alternative that gets reasonable mileage I'd go that route. Transmission is a rebuilt flight-o-matic with first gear start. I know I'd help myself with a different trans, but I wanted the flight-o-matic cause I really like the way they work with the first gear start (I mean, if I were smart, I wouldn't be messing with old Studebakers at all). I will entertain all suggestions, but I am wed to the 283 with the flight-o-matic.
Thanks

[PackardV8]

If one has any CASO sensibilities, there's nothing better than the original recipe Rochester 2GC.

If one wants to spend far too much money, there are EFI conversions which will never pay back in fuel savings.

If one really wants to get creative, there are later SBC intakes which mount the Rochester Quadrajet. One of those done right is the best street carburetor money can buy.

And yes, the first gear start B-W is a really good all-around transmission for an old not-so-lead-foot.

And no, I'd bet my last dollar a Chevybaker 283" automatic would not get 27 MPG.

jack vines

[DTHolder]

If one really wants to get creative, there are later SBC intakes which mount the Rochester Quadrajet. One of those done right is the best street carburetor money can buy.

Winner Winner - Chicken Dinner!

Glad to see another Chevy Baker around...

[Mike Van Veghten]

Well...being that the 283 is VERY similar in inches to the 289 Studebaker, it might...stand to reason that what works well on the Studebaker engine, will work equally as well on the 283 Chevrolet engine..!

So...read what Jack wrote, and throw in one more, one of the various Edelbrock 500 cfm, four barrel carburetors.

The carburetor (or throttle body!), has no idea what engine is underneath it.

Mike

[PackardV8]

Well...being that the 283 is VERY similar in inches to the 289 Studebaker, it might...stand to reason that what works well on the Studebaker engine, will work equally as well on the 283 Chevrolet engine..!

So...read what Jack wrote, and throw in one more, one of the various Edelbrock 500 cfm, four barrel carburetors.

The carburetor (or throttle body!), has no idea what engine is underneath it.

Mike

As MVV correctly states, the same Carter WCFB 4-bbl used on Studebaker 259" and 289"s from '55-'62 was also used on Chevrolet 265" and 283" in the period.

jack vines

[Corbinstein0]

I'd go Edelbrock and keep my foot out of it.

[Ron Dame]

Is there any truth to what I heard years ago, that a 4bbl will get better economy that a 2 bbl IF you keep out of the secondaries?

[JoeHall]

In the late 1980s I had a 65 Daytona SS, with 283, FOM, and 3.07 rear gears. Between then girlfriend and I, we drove it about 25,00 miles. I loved the lil 283, its performance was on par with Stude 289, and it got about same MPG, 16-18 around town and 18-20 on open roads. Its stock 2B carb was trouble free, and seemed well suited to the 283. If I were the OP, I'd rebuild the stock carb, drive and enjoy. Nothing to be gained with an Edlebrock, IMHO.

[Buzzard]

I have always liked this Holley on smaller displacement engines (if you have deep pockets these days):
Part # 0-8007

390 CFM CLASSIC HOLLEY CARBURETOR


Electric Choke Vacuum Secondaries-4160

[PackardV8]

I have always liked this Holley on smaller displacement engines (if you have deep pockets these days):
Part # 0-8007

390 CFM CLASSIC HOLLEY CARBURETOR


Electric Choke Vacuum Secondaries-4160

For true, Bill. I built several of those for the SBF in my Sunbeam Tiger. (Where have all the Holley guys gone? I've got a couple of 390 CFM cores and a shelf full of Holley parts which need a good home.)

The downside to Holleys is they don't bolt on to Stude intakes; just me, but I have an aversion to carb adapter plates.

jack vines

[Buzzard]

I agree Jack. But then I solved another application dilemma by having Jeff R custom make me a manifold which does work. I think we are among the few non caso's.
Cheers,
Bill
PS: I never knew you had a Tiger. I could make U-Tube money filming your entry and egress.

[HawkBuilder]

Thank you all for the input. I believe I will go with the stock 2 bbl that's on the engine now. This sweet little car came with power brakes, power steering & AC. Aside from the first gear start I think the only other non-stock mod I will make is a better compressor for the AC. Oh, and a HEI distributor. Does anybody have a suggestion for a source on that? -- thanks again