Do Carb Spacers Do Anything Important

[jimlickster]

I have an Engine that i've been tweeking since it was built.

 

350 Chevy Block bored .060

Lunati Cam 218/218 @ .050 .458/.458 Lift 110 Lobe Separation

Nodular Cast Crank Std/Std

Chevy 882 Heads

1.6:1 Ratio Roller Rockers

Edelbrock Performer Intake

Edelbrock 1406 600 CFM Carb

 

I have recently ordered:

 

Edelbrock Victor Jr Intake

Barry Grant Road Demon 725 CFM Carb

 

I'm thinking that the Swap will be noticable. I've heard good and bad about Carburetor Spacers. I think i'll have room. Should i waste my time with it? What EXACTLY does a Carburetor Spacer Change?

[Lunar240z]

ivew heard if they're made from that phenolic plastic they isolate the carb from some heat from the intake manifold

[GEMINITWIN111]

it allows a little more time for atomization.

[Pop N Wood]

Sounds like a good topic for Grumpyvette.

[RTz]

It will change a dual plane manifold into poor single plane by allowing each cylinder to have 'access' to all barrels instead of half.

[blueovalz]

I believe they also benefit upper rpm power as well.

[veritech-z]

It will change a dual plane manifold into poor single plane by allowing each cylinder to have 'access' to all barrels instead of half.

What if you get a "split" one, or one with 4 holes in it just like the bottom of your carb?

 

[280zwitha383]

ive heard if they're made from that phenolic plastic they isolate the carb from some heat from the intake manifold

 

That sounds like a good enough reason to get one. My carb on my 383 gets too hot to touch in the summer.

[jnjdragracing]

I have messed with various types of intakes and spacers. To me I like the super victor intake, yes they sell parobolic spacers, it does help with keeping the carb cool, thus the fuel is cool and makes more power. Also it will increase top end rpm.

 

Just my two cents worth...

 

John

[Tech @ BG]

Carburetor Spacers:

Carburetors spacers can be a very useful tuning aid when working on your streetcar, or racecar. A spacer can be used to move the torque and power-band where it is more usable in your application, or they can be used to help work out inefficiencies in your combination.

4-Hole Spacers. As a rule of thumb a 4-hole designed spacer (4 individual holes one under each barrel of your carburetor) will increase your throttle response, and acceleration. They can also move the torque and power-band down in the RPM range. This is accomplished by keeping the air and fuel flowing in more of a column, which increases the air velocity. This can be a perfect addition if your vehicles throttle response is not as good as you’d like, or you’re getting passed when you pick up the throttle coming off of the corning. A 4-hole spacer can also help make up for something in the intake tract being larger than optimal (too large of a carburetor, cam, intake, etc.)

Open Spacers. As a rule of thumb an open designed spacer (1 big hole underneath your carburetor) will decrease your throttle response, and acceleration. They can also move the torque and power-band up in the RPM range. This is accomplished by increasing the plenum area, which will help in the higher RPM’s. This can be a perfect addition if your vehicle has traction problems when accelerating, or coming off of the corner. A 4-hole spacer can also help make up for something in the intake tract being smaller than optimal (too small of a carburetor, cam, intake, etc.)

Combination Spacers. A combination spacer (half 4-hole, and half open) can give you the best of both worlds. Increasing your throttle response, and acceleration over not using a spacer, and increasing or broadening the torque and power-band.

Plenum Dividers. A Plenum divider does as the name implies divides the plenum in an open plenum intake manifold from side to side. These are generally used to help prevent fuel slosh from side to side in high G load Oval-Track, or Road-Race applications. It is common on certain engines to have lean cylinders do to fuel slosh. A SBC oval track engine running on methanol can run lean on cylinders 3 & 5 while cylinders 4 & 6 will run rich. A plenum divider can help eliminate this.

Spacer thickness. Varying the thickness of your spacer will affect how it affects your engine. Normally the thicker the spacer the more of an affect if will have on your combination. Meaning if a ½†thick spacer helps you a little a 2†thick spacer can give you more of the same affect.

Spacer Material. There are many different types of materials used for manufacturing spacers. They all have pro’s and con’s. Wood for example is a great material as far as thermo efficiency, but can wick fuel, which is not safe. Plastic, or composite spacers are also very good at not transferring heat, but are not as strong, and can be harder to modify. Generally Phenolic fiber, or Aluminum is preferred. Phenolic is very good at not transferring heat, but can be hard to modify. Aluminum is not as good at heat dissipation, but can be ported or modified easily to work on specific applications.

Spacer Tuning. Since each spacer will react differently on each combination there is not a right or wrong type. Spacers are a great tool to have to help dial in a new combination, or tune your racecar for varying track conditions. Swapping out a spacer is a very simple change that can have great impact on the drivability of your streetcar, or racecar. Having a couple types, and thickness of spacers around is always a good investment.