Fuel System: 1952 Champion carb ANYONE have a good(great) WE carb?

[poweroptions]

Does anyone have a good WE carb for my car? I really think my carb is a big part of the problems I'm having.

[41 Frank]

If you have no luck with your request here check with Dave Thibeault, he may have one rebuilt exchange.

[poweroptions]

My carb is a 989 WE Carter , I have a 53 intake on my 52 Champion for some reason.

[RadioRoy]

Then you want a carb from 53-57 or so. The base is totally different than a 47-52 carb.

[poweroptions]

Roy, I am looking for the right 52 manifold now. Seems mine was replaced before my ownership. I might be having the motor rebuilt in the not to distant future. My longtime mechanic is back working again now out of his home after closing down during his wife's terminal illness. George is awesome and old school. I told him of all the problems I'm having with the Champion. He is suspecting low compression. He is going to check it out for me next week. I told George that the car will roll on a slope even in first gear, (as you recall I have no emergency brakes right now) George said that it is a telltale sign of weak compression. So, if I have to go thru all of this I want the car right with the right intake.

Then you want a carb from 53-57 or so. The base is totally different than a 47-52 carb.

[52-fan]

I guess when it rolls in first gear you have the overdrive locked out? I always parked my 52 in reverse in case I forgot about the overdrive.

[poweroptions]

52Fan, no I don't have it locked out of overdrive. This is the first car I've had with overdrive. I told George over the phone it rolled in 1st gear and he said "OH you've lost compression." I always had used the emergency brake when I parked. Then while at the last shop they screwed with the brakes and now I have no emergency brake. I'm use to my Ford pickups that I put in 1st when I park. So the Champion will roll in gear? I did not know that. I have been putting it in reverse when parking. I have been running about 45lbs of oil pressure when hot at 50-55mph, it drops to 20 at hot idle. I know it's quiet as can be when running, no noises of any kind. The smoking is getting less I notice. Maybe I won't need a rebuild immediately like I was talking myself into. I think it sitting for over a 1 1/2 yrs was hard on it. It sure won't start on my old Autolite plugs. I have these new longer NGK plugs that put the spark down into the chamber. I was told by this last mechanic that is what I needed to get it to start easier. I've heard so much BS from mechanics I could choke.

I guess when it rolls in first gear you have the overdrive locked out? I always parked my 52 in reverse in case I forgot about the overdrive.

[RadioRoy]

You should always park an overdrive equipped car in reverse.

1. it automatically disengages the overdrive without any further thought or action on the driver's part
2. it has the greatest numerical ratio, so the effect of motor compression is the greatest in reverse

Overdrive transmissions have a freewheeling function when they are below overdrive cut-in speed. Parking an overdrive equipped car in first or second or third will allow the car to roll and it will act as if there is no compression holding the car from rolling.

Of course, the best test for compression is a good old compression test with a gauge. That's the way to tell what the compression actually is.

In any case, you should be parking in reverse.

[poweroptions]

Thanks Roy, I had a dry compression done at the last garage. 5 Cylinders were at 110lbs one was 95 but they thought it was because of it sitting and washed down . I will say a lot of my smoke is subsiding and I plan for a new carburetor immediately. I have 53/54 intakes on my car, it came that way to me. Would you keep it that way?? I was going to have it changed back as original but another member here on the forum said the 53/54 intakes were better and the WE 989 carb was more readily available. What are your thoughts??????????

You should always park an overdrive equipped car in reverse.

1. it automatically disengages the overdrive without any further thought or action on the driver's part
2. it has the greatest numerical ratio, so the effect of motor compression is the greatest in reverse

Overdrive transmissions have a freewheeling function when they are below overdrive cut-in speed. Parking an overdrive equipped car in first or second or third will allow the car to roll and it will act as if there is no compression holding the car from rolling.

Of course, the best test for compression is a good old compression test with a gauge. That's the way to tell what the compression actually is.

In any case, you should be parking in reverse.

[RadioRoy]

In my opinion, your compression is just fine. I wish mine were that good.

I have little or no experience with the 53 and newer Champion carburetors, so no opinion on them versus the earlier type.