I bought a 455 and had it completely rebuilt back to stock specs. (Painted gold to be visually correct in my 68 442.) My machine shop called and asked about what intake manifold I wanted to use. I told them that I wanted to stick to the original J code 398662 intake due to the fact that it had the original divorced choke Rhochester carb and nice breather (that I already restored). Anyway, I let him talk me into putting an Edelbrock performer intake on it. He explained the benefits of less weight on the front end, better performance etc. etc.
Now I have to make a decision about selecting a carb, & dealing with possible clearance issues with the original breather (or if the original breather will work at all with an Edelbrock carb).
My question to you guys is this this. Would you take the Performer intake off and go back the original intake? Or would you move forward on getting a new Edelbrock or something other carb.? I've read some bad reviews about Edebrock carbs.
Here's a few pictures of where I'm at with the project. Thanks in advance for your opinion. E

 

It sounds like you built your engine to be stock. If you want a stock engine then why would you buy an aftermarket intake and carburetor for it? Tell your machinist that you want to use your original intake manifold and carburetor. It's your engine, build it the way you want.

 

I'd go with the Performer. I scrapped all those cast iron lumps.
A performer is just a step above the stock one. You probably won't notice much difference performance wise, but the weight is a definite benefit on a tired old car. I successfully moved all of my stock parts carburetor and all, onto performer intakes. The only issue with your stock carb will be the hold down bracket on the back 2 bolts of the carb if there is one. It will not bolt down all the way because the performer has a 1/2'' high hump behind the carb. Just stick some nuts or stack o washers underneath the bracket to make it sit level. Just remember that they are there if you ever remove the carb, and don't let them wander down the intake.

 

I'm usually all about performance and love to ditch the stock stuff,
BUT, you've done such a nice job with the paint, I have to stay stick
with the stock manifold.
J is right, you probably notice much of a difference except weight.

Alternative...get a performer, plane the carb pad down, grind off the edelbrock
logo and paint it to match the engine.
Just my 2¢

-Pete

 

Why is it gold?
Sleeper mode?

 

Please make me laugh.. What was a bad review of a new Edelbrock carb? I have bought 3 of these carbs ( for 3 seperate cars )and these were the best purchases I have ever made.

 

The correct engine color for the 400 in a 68 442 is bronze. Gold was used on the 350 only that year.

 

I like it both ways.

But this is your engine, build it the way YOU want it.

Those AFB/Edelbrock's were ALWAYS 2 tenths slower than a q-jet, at the races for us.

 

IMHO, if you go with the original manifold, then you should stay with a quadrajet. If you go the Edelbrock route, then it's pretty hard to beat a Holley 750.

 

Thanks for input everybody. I'm still on the fence about whether to use the original intake or not. I have the performer installed right now so I guess I'm going to stick with it and go with a Holley or Edelbrock carb. I got a quote for $595 + shipping for a proper Quadrajet carb to match the OE intake. (Sounds high to me)

LOL - I guess I'll repaint the block to "Bronze" to be visually correct. Thanks again for the info.

 

Yeah that is pretty high. Rebuilt Q-jets can be had for a lot less.

I would recommend you stay away from the Edelbrock carbs tho.... I've had 3 of em on diffferent cars, and I'm not impressed. 'Course, I never did like that Carter carb design....

 

If you are going with an aftermarket carb then I would suggest Edelbrock. Despite what Omicron said, I have had nothing but good results with Edelbrock. The Holley I had experience with was a POS. Then again, everyone has their own opinion.

If you want a Quadrajet you might see if Dan Sarvis (70WCars) can rebuild one for you. He posts here off and on and is really good with Quadrajets.

 

Fair 'nuf - I take no offense. Every carb has it's proponents and detractors.