C1 & C2 Corvettes General C1 Corvette & C2 Corvette Discussion, Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Project Builds, Restorations

[C1] Need some Help...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 21, 2017 | 03:23 PM
  #21  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
Default

You have to decide how original you want to keep things. You have a tach driven by the generator so a distributor swap wouldn't be such a problem.
I dropped a complete Pertronix distributor in my '61 and it worked perfectly, provided an electronic points conversion and worked with the ignition shielding.

With an HEI you can kiss that center ignition shielding goodbye (one of the distinctive features of a C1 engine bay IMO).

If you ball up some tin foil and tape it to various areas of the air cleaner and close the hood it will tell you how much hood clearance you have to play with. Trust me, it isn't much. The technique is similar to what I show here to check my air conditioning compressor clearance.

These cars do not have a PCV system originally, they use a road draft tube to scavenge the crankcase vapors at the rear of the block - I don't think you will lose that function if you swap intake/carb....but I could be wrong. PCV systems were introduced as factory standard in '63 except for option RPO-242 on '61 California cars.

Frankly, I would rebuild the WCFB if needed, get some unmolested valve covers (repros are available), get rid of that rubber hose in the fuel pump-to-carb line (repro, correct 'hard' lines are available), tune the car up and drive the snot out of it.
Attached Images  

Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Sep 21, 2017 at 03:40 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2017 | 03:44 PM
  #22  
Sovsen's Avatar
Sovsen
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
What performance gains are you looking for? If the car is running and your not looking for 10ths on the track why would you mess with it.
It is running very very bad. Its been parked in a barn for 16 years until this sommer. And it has been in and out of shops ever since.... My usual mechanic who is an elderly man, has given up. The carb has been cleaned 2 times and severel bits in it has been replaced. But it still cruises like a kangaroo and either dies in idle or run at 1000rpm.
I dont trust the car...4 times my dad in law have had to come out somewhere and tow me back to the shop.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2017 | 03:47 PM
  #23  
Sovsen's Avatar
Sovsen
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Sovsen
It is running very very bad. Its been parked in a barn for 16 years until this sommer. And it has been in and out of shops ever since.... My usual mechanic who is an elderly man, has given up. The carb has been cleaned 2 times and severel bits in it has been replaced. But it still cruises like a kangaroo and either dies in idle or run at 1000rpm.
I dont trust the car...4 times my dad in law have had to come out somewhere and tow me back to the shop.
I just want it to run smooth and reliable.... Dont trust any "rebuildt" stuff. Im afraid after a long journey here to Denmark and severel hours at the mechanic, it wont run much better than the one it replaced. After all it is very old and worn too.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2017 | 03:47 PM
  #24  
Nowhere Man's Avatar
Nowhere Man
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,073
Likes: 9,398
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Default

If it's the original carb you might want to send it to someone in the states that knows what he's doing.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2017 | 03:51 PM
  #25  
Geralds57's Avatar
Geralds57
Safety Car
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,677
Likes: 646
From: Indiana
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C1 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
Default

I doubt if it's the original engine but check the numbers. Finned covers and they don't look to be staggered bolt configuration for a 58.

Last edited by Geralds57; Sep 21, 2017 at 06:30 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2017 | 03:54 PM
  #26  
Sovsen's Avatar
Sovsen
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

Dont know if it is original....
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2017 | 05:39 PM
  #27  
SDVette's Avatar
SDVette
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 1,557
From: Poway CA
2025 C1 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (stock)
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (stock)
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by Sovsen
I just want it to run smooth and reliable.... Dont trust any "rebuildt" stuff. Im afraid after a long journey here to Denmark and severel hours at the mechanic, it wont run much better than the one it replaced. After all it is very old and worn too.
We all want smooth and reliable.

I took my father's car out of storage 4 years ago. It had sat for 40 years. I have found that rebuilding/restoring the original parts is often the best path - not only to preserve the value of originality, but also you will find that modern reproduction parts are not made with the same quality as originals.

Lots of things can make a car run poorly. Have you checked the valve clearances? Spark plugs? Points? Fuel tank and lines (for rust, crud)? Old gas? Has a compression test been done?

It also appears you have an oil leak causing a puddle on the manifold.

Last edited by SDVette; Sep 21, 2017 at 05:41 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2017 | 06:00 PM
  #28  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
Default

Originally Posted by Geralds57
I doubt if it's the original engine but check the numbers. Finned covers and they don't look to be staggered bolt configuration or a 58.
Nice catch.

I totally blew by that
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
Old Sep 22, 2017 | 12:08 AM
  #29  
Sovsen's Avatar
Sovsen
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by SDVette
We all want smooth and reliable.

I took my father's car out of storage 4 years ago. It had sat for 40 years. I have found that rebuilding/restoring the original parts is often the best path - not only to preserve the value of originality, but also you will find that modern reproduction parts are not made with the same quality as originals.

Lots of things can make a car run poorly. Have you checked the valve clearances? Spark plugs? Points? Fuel tank and lines (for rust, crud)? Old gas? Has a compression test been done?

It also appears you have an oil leak causing a puddle on the manifold.
The oil comes from the breathers on the valve covers. I forgot to mention it it drives Okey the first few miles when its cold. But the hotter it gets the bigger the problem gets... its impossible to cruise slowly down the boulevard...
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2017 | 12:11 AM
  #30  
Sovsen's Avatar
Sovsen
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Sovsen
The oil comes from the breathers on the valve covers. I forgot to mention it it drives Okey the first few miles when its cold. But the hotter it gets the bigger the problem gets... its impossible to cruise slowly down the boulevard...
The plugs are new. And he fitted a gas filter right Before the carb to catch any dirt.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2017 | 12:14 AM
  #31  
Sovsen's Avatar
Sovsen
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

This is the rebuild from CorvetteCentral. Is it the right one ? Maybe I should consider it....but 839$ 🤤
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2017 | 07:50 AM
  #32  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
Default

That is NOT the right carb - that is for a later 62 or even a 63 as it has the fresh air tube at the passenger side at the rear of the air horn and doesn't have the brass vent tubes arching over the throttle bores. Besides being way over priced. Your carb should be a 2669S WCFB Carter with an air horn number of 6-1354 and a main body number of 0-208 or 0-1208, but, nearly any of the later C1 single carbs (not dual quads) can work on your car.

This is a 1957 Corvette carburetor but it may be as close as you can get...pricey but appears to be a quality rebuild: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1957-Chevrol...1ZnvPe&vxp=mtr

The fuel filter is inside the big fitting on the fuel inlet in the air horn on WCFBs. Its a sintered bronze filter - you may want to take that off to see if it needs cleaned out (note the direction of the filter and spring - they only go in one way).. You do NOT need that external filter and rubber fuel line.

Your problem may be as simple as a stuck choke based on your symptoms.
Attached Images   

Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Sep 22, 2017 at 09:19 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2017 | 08:51 AM
  #33  
Sovsen's Avatar
Sovsen
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink
That is NOT the right carb - that is for a later 62 or even a 63 as it has the fresh air tube at the passenger side at the rear of the air horn and doesn't have the brass vent tubes arching over the throttle bores. Besides being way over priced. Your carb should be a 2669S WCFB Carter with an air horn number of 6-1354 and a main body number of 0-208 or 0-1208, but, nearly any of the later C1 single carbs (not dual quads) can work on your car.

This is a 1957 Corvette carburetor but it may be as close as you can get...pricey but appears to be a quality rebuild: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1957-Chevrol...1ZnvPe&vxp=mtr

The fuel filter is inside the big fitting on the fuel inlet in the air horn on WCFBs. Its a sintered bronze filter - you may want to take that off to see if it needs cleaned out (note the direction of the filter and spring - they only go in one way).. You do NOT need that external filter and rubber fuel line.

Your problem may be as simple as a stuck choke based on your symptoms.
Okey thanks for the reply. But will the one CorvetteCentral recommend on the picture fit and work on my 58 ? It is not that important to me that it is the same as now. I just want a smooth driving har.. .

Last edited by Sovsen; Sep 22, 2017 at 09:02 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2017 | 09:00 AM
  #34  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
Default

It can probably be made to work; I looked at the web site, I don't know why they call it a 1958 specific carb when the picture is clearly NOT a '58 carb. These vendors have third parties that do the specialist work so there is nothing unique about buying it through Corvette Central. Why would you pay more for this clearly wrong carb than the more correct '57 carb I included above for less money ? Unless they don't ship overseas.

Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Sep 22, 2017 at 09:01 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2017 | 09:24 AM
  #35  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
Default

Originally Posted by Sovsen
Dont know if it is original....
That is about as 'hosed up' as you can get. Its not original, don't think its even a Carter carburetor. It looks huge and you may well be over-carbed...resulting in bog and poor performance. Looking at that, you need to make sure your intake manifold is original before you go buying a carb. The WCFBs have small bores and the manifolds are unique.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2017 | 09:35 AM
  #36  
Sovsen's Avatar
Sovsen
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink
That is about as 'hosed up' as you can get. Its not original, don't think its even a Carter carburetor. It looks huge and you may well be over-carbed...resulting in bog and poor performance. Looking at that, you need to make sure your intake manifold is original before you go buying a carb. The WCFBs have small bores and the manifolds are unique.
Is it a Rochester then ?
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2017 | 10:00 AM
  #37  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
Default

Thought it was a Rochester, it needs to go IMO...
And the manifold application needs checked.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Need some Help...

Old Sep 22, 2017 | 10:38 AM
  #38  
Sovsen's Avatar
Sovsen
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink
Thought it was a Rochester, it needs to go IMO...
And the manifold application needs checked.
Needs to go ? Why? Is a Rochester like this one a bad match for a 58 Vette ? But your right, id needs to go, because it dosent work....
Can any one tell me what carburetor will fit on the intake under a Rochester like this ? Someone clearly made some changes on this car in the past... I dont have the time to take of the carb. We are in a hurry, cause my dad in law is going to the States next month to visit Hersheys. And he need the parts to be ordered and delivered to a friend called Bob who trades vintage cars. From there they will load a container and ship to Denmark...
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2017 | 11:08 AM
  #39  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
Default

Originally Posted by Sovsen
Needs to go ? Why? Is a Rochester like this one a bad match for a 58 Vette ? But your right, id needs to go, because it dosent work....
Can any one tell me what carburetor will fit on the intake under a Rochester like this ? Someone clearly made some changes on this car in the past... I dont have the time to take of the carb. We are in a hurry, cause my dad in law is going to the States next month to visit Hersheys. And he need the parts to be ordered and delivered to a friend called Bob who trades vintage cars. From there they will load a container and ship to Denmark...
For one thing I believe they are spread bore carbs and might not match your manifold. For another that carb doesn't have air valve controlled secondaries. When you hit the gas it'll dump oceans of air-fuel mixture into your engine unregulated by engine demands. It appears you need to find somebody that knows classic cars nearby.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2017 | 11:15 AM
  #40  
Nowhere Man's Avatar
Nowhere Man
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,073
Likes: 9,398
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Default

Before anyone else recomends parts we should first figure out what you have. Locate on the intake manifold and block the casting numbers of each. Then tell us if you don't mind keeping the intake if we can tell you what carb you need. If indeed you really want a new intake and carb set up someone can recommend that too. But the way you discribe is the carb and possible the timing is not set up correctly causing your problems. If that's really the case then throwing parts at it won't solve anything.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:49 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-5
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE