New toy, have questions

[Don Lyon]

It's a 1950 303 engine with the original intake and carb, which is a side draft. It runs fine, my question is whats the reliability of the carb, if it's problematic, what can i use for replacement, carb and/ or manifold? Thanks in advance.

[keith6989]

nice new toy I wouldn't worry about your carb being porblematic, atleast i never hears of them being like that, and if the car starts bogging, a simple rebuild should mahe it reliable.

just one man's opionion, good luck with your new toy, you should post some pictures, we would all love to see your new ride.

[Oldsguy]

Hi Don, welcome to our site and I am looking forward to pictures of your car as well.

[tarps3]

Hey Don

I have a '53 with the original 303.
My carb has been rebuilt, but for some reason, it leaks down if it sits longer than 12 or 14 hours. Dang thing won't start without some starter fluid.
Once it starts, it runs perfectly and will restart throughout the day...until you park it overnight.
Like I said, I've had it professionally rebuilt (twice). The ignition system and fuel system is all new too.

I recently bought an Edelbrock Performer carb to replace the original. I haven't mounted it yet as the car is in the shop getting painted - finally.

I am concerned about it's adaptability to my intake. Has anyone else here installed one of these??

Casey

[Oldsguy]

Casey, Are you sure it isn't just that the choke isn't set correctly?

[Olds64]

I know the jets leaked on Quadrajets because fuel would seep through the jets and fuel bowl into the intake. You could fix this by putting some fuel resistant compound on the bottom of the jets (on the opposite side of the fuel bowl). Clear nail polish worked fine. Maybe there is a similar problem on those old carbs.

[88 coupe]

Originally Posted by Don Lyon

........ carb, which is a side draft ........

Filter/air intake should be from the back, not the side.

They have, erroneously, been called "back draft" or "rear draft" since they came out in '49. Mixture flows down from the carb, into the manifold, defining it as a "downdraft" carb.

........ whats the reliability of the carb ........

It was designed, and built, in an Era when customers paid good money for a quality product. If there were any "problems" it would not have been used on an Oldsmobile.

Fusick.com sells a reproduction '50-'51 Factory Service Manual (FSM) for $70, or you can go here and download a '49 Manual. Except for some small, exterior, trim differences, '49 and '50 are the same car.

Norm

[88 coupe]

Originally Posted by tarps3

........ but for some reason, it leaks down if it ........

This should be in its own thread.

........ I am concerned about it's adaptability to my intake .........

Nothing lines up. It won't fit without some kind of adapter. Slim chance one was even made for that application. Add to that, you do not know if the carb is a fault.

Easier to find the actual cause of your problem.

Norm