Carberator Water Heated Spacers
 

In my quest to clean up my engine compartment and minimize, I would like to eliminate the Water Heated Spacers. I have Strombergs and they look like they would bolt right up to the intake manifold when eliminating the Water Heated Spacers. Any downside? They didn't used to be there on previous 4.2's.


HAPPY NEW YEAR!


Bill

Heating the mixture as it leaves the carb and enters the intake manifold has been around in most critters for decades. Originaly for cold start drivability and in cold climes to prevent icing in the intake. And, in more recent times as an emission reduction thing.


Usually done with hot exhaust. The water method takes a bit longer...


If it fits. the engine will do just fine, once warmed. but, fussy on start up.


On my last project, a hot rod of the 40's. I blocked the unique passage from the V8 exhaust. The exhaust in that engine leaves via the block. A copper penny in each bank fits just right. Dual carbs so lots of fuel. A lot fussy when cold. But sharp when warm. A definite sound in the exhaust more crackle....


Carl.

My FI LT1 includes a hot water intake just behind the throttle butterfly. Dome bypass them for a cooler mix and more power. True, and with FI little or no cold engine drivability. I left mine. Plenty of power as is.


Carl

Thanks for the reply. As I live in Florida and it is a fair weather car, I'm not concerned with cold starting at all. Besides the water doesn't warm up the air until the engine is warmed up so I don't get the cold starting issue? I also have converted to a manual choke. Again never had cold start problems.

Bill:


Not so much hard to start cold. The chokes aid that. It is once fired up and in gear, it might be fussy. Hence drivebility, not startability.
But, true in your warm clime, much less an issue.


And clearly, carb icing never....


Carl

I should also say that a main reason why I want to eliminate the heater carb spacers is that with air filter assembly pushed out that far towards the fender well because of the heater carb spacer, it's hard to work on changing oil, etc. I believe, although I haven't fitted it up yet. I'll gain some space under there w/o the heater assembly. I may have to rework the throttle brackets a little though.

not that I have an answer, but I can pose the question. The intake track, from the air cleaner through the carbs and intake manifold is normally carefully engineered to cater to the power band wanted from the engine. Eldelbrock made a fortune selling this.


So the question is: Is the water heated intake also the "perfect" length intake runner?


BytheBy, I have eliminated the water part of the intake on my car. not yet tested,,,,watch this space!!!
geneo

I think you bring up a good point, however the intake manifold on the Series I w/o the heater spacer and intake manifold on the Series II with the heater spacer are the same depth and the Carbs are the same. So I'm not messing with intake length. And... if it doesn't work, it's a simple bolt back on job - no problem.