Thread: Edelbrock EDL-54261 Dual Quad Intake Manifold & 2x Edelbrock 500 CFM carb

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Building a 32 Ford Coupe replica with GM 350cid-330HP crate engine, topped off with an Edlebrock Dual Quad intake manifold EDL-54261 and 2 Edlebrock 500cfm carbs. Going for the old look, any suggestions on setting up the carbs, metering rods, linkage, idle mixture, etc before the initial start up? Never messed with dual quads before. Thanks.

That's a question to be answered after you get it running, part of the final tuning. The most I would do before first fire would be to check the floats. The jetting should be close to start with, floats can change because of handling and shipping. You can always call Eldo give them the 350 - 330 hp information and see what they say. After all the motor sounds like an out of the box specific build so specs will be solid, love dual quads myself.

Harry,
You might read through Pete's (prpmmp username) thread here - Tunnel ram set up for some good information on his dual quad setup. From the video clip he's got his set up right, and he has a good understanding of how they work together and how to get them tuned. If Pete doesn't chime in you might PM him to see what advice he has for your pre-start adjustments. Good luck on the setup!!

Welcome to CHR!

I too love dual quads and while I’ve installed a few have never run them on one of my own – have to put that on my “bucket list” near the ’67 Chevelle! It would appear that you’ve bought these components separately and not as a “kit”? If that’s the case you need to keep a couple things in mind.

Edelbrock has a couple series of 500cfm carburetors – “Thunder” and “Performance".
The Thunder series Edelbrock comes in two versions/series. The 1801(electric choke) and 1802’s (manual choke) are calibrated for single use. They come with the following:
Jets - Primary .86, Secondary .095, Primary Metering Rod .065 x .052, orange spring.

The 1803 and 1804’s are the ones you want for dual quad setup. Ideally, you have one 1803 (electric choke) and one 1804 (manual choke). Difference being:
1803 Jets - Primary .086, Secondary .077; Metering Rods - .065 x .057;
1804 jets - Primary .086, Secondary .077; Metering Rods - .065 x .052; Step-Up Spring - orange (5" Hg).

The Performance Series 500cfm are the 1403 (electric choke) and 1404 (manual choke). Both are factory calibrated with .086 Primary and .095 Secondary jets and .065 x .052 Metering Rods with the orange Step-Up Spring (5" Hg).

All that said – if you don’t have one 1803 and one 1804, you should buy the jets/metering rods to match the above.
.065 x .057 metering rod – part number 1461
.077 secondary jet – part number 1420

I know the differences seem miniscule, but they are important if you want to have success here - idle through WOT.

The manifold you’re using is late model (Vortec heads) typically used where under-hood clearances are an issue. Make sure to mount the 1083 (or the one you modify to meet that spec) to the rear and use Edelbrock progressive linkage (part 7094) or you will be very disappointed.

I'd use Felpro intake manifold gaskets - my personal preference.

Go with 1-1/2 turns on all idle screws to begin and tune accordingly – use a vacuum gauge here

Timing – start with 8 degrees initial and 32-34 degrees total.

Have Fun,
Glenn

Thanks for the good information / advise. Using other people's past experience on new projects is what makes clubhotrod a really great web site.

Back at ya Harry - be sure you keep us updated and post a few pictures!

Regards,
Glenn

The AFB/AVSs are some of my favorite carburetors, and will be a good choice for your project. You have been given some good advice on setting them up so far and I really don’t have anything to add to that.

I have bought several over the years for both my own cars and customers, and my experience is that about 1 in every 5 or 6 usually have some quality control issues. Usually it’s something minor like loose internal screws or as mentioned float level. The last one I got was a real eye opener. they had installed a step rod that hadn’t been machined........kind of like sticking a plug on one of the jets!!!!!



I would also recommend pulling the tops off both carbs and checking them before trying to fire it up on a fresh engine you need to break in.

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Wow, How'd you find that one Mike? Did it run at all?

It just kind of seemed like it was running a little lean on the first test drive


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Originally Posted by Mike P

It just kind of seemed like it was running a little lean on the first test drive .

I can only imagine your expression when you pulled that from the carb. Like, what the _ _ _ _ ! So much for QA/QC ! HAHAHAHAHA...

Originally Posted by Mike P

It just kind of seemed like it was running a little lean on the first test drive


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A little lean???? Kind of like being a little pregnant, huh????