4 barrel and intake really worth it?

[erics667]

Hi, just trying to get some opinions about carbs and intakes. My stock 2 barrel is leaking gas and needs a new gasket and probably a rebuild as well :/ So I was contemplating a new intake and 4 barrel carb instead but I am just wondering out loud if rebuilding the stocker is a better option? Obviously cheaper but what do I get by upgrading? I will be mostly driving in the spring/summer/fall and most likely will not do any 4-wheeling. Not a DD. Thanks for your input!!

 

[broncodriver99]

Every Bronco I have had already had a 4BBL on it so I have no idea what a 2BBL is like. My understanding is the stock 2BBL gives pretty good power as is. I have had several Edelbrocks that were a PITA. I had good luck with a Quadrajet and currently run and Autolite 4100 which is essentially the 4BBL version of the stock 2BBL. You will gain a little power which will get you worse fuel economy due to using that power. Unless you are unhappy with the power you have now I would just rebuild the stock 2100/2150. It is a good solid carb that has very few issues.

If you do decide to swap I would suggest finding a 4100 and stock Ford intake. They are a bullet proof combination much like the stock setup you have now.

 

[roundhouse]

If you do any off roading or trail riding. I'd keep a 2 bbl

The stock 2 bbl is very good off road

 

[73azbronco]

Stock 2bl is superior if you really just need a good reliable truck. You mention fuel leaking, from gaskets or cracks?

 

[spap]

Nothing sounds better than a 4 barrel when the secndarys kick in, that being said unless your going to do headers you probably won't feel that much diff except to your gas gauge.
I agree what was said earlier for reliability and off road the 2 barrel can't be beat.

 

[erics667]

Stock 2bl is superior if you really just need a good reliable truck. You mention fuel leaking, from gaskets or cracks?

99% sure its leaking from the gasket but I've yet to pull it or examine it up close. I think that a rebuild is in my future! Thanks for all the help!

 

[Unaweep]

I just put on a Q jet and 4 barrel spread bore intake manifold vs. the old 2 barrel intake manifold with plate adapter. It made a difference, much better.

I really like the Q jet - I would do the swap again.

J.E.

 

[G's Baja Bronco]

rebuild it, if you want more power, port heads, larger exhaust, cam, and gears are the answer!

G

 

[00gyrhed]

properly sized 4 bb will always out perform the 2 bb in both power and fuel milage as long as you drive it properly. A properly tuned Q jet may well still be the best carb out there and the closest thing to EFI.

2 bb gains are basically only seat of the pants gains based on the fact that a little pedal opens the throttle more.

 

[TN1776]

An aluminum 4bbl intake will drop a few pounds vs the cast iron 2bbl intake. You will feel an improvement with a 4bbl carb but as was said, without a cam swap, headers, etc it won't be a night and day difference.
Quadrajets do pretty well but like any carb, they can be finicky. I loved mine on the road but as it was tuned for sea level, it was never happy when I'd take it up to 6000-10000 feet in the mountains. I know I could have stuck with it and gotten it dialed in better, but I went the other direction and swapped to EFI. That made a huge difference!

 

[jw0747]

If your engine is bone stock and you add a 4bbl good luck on getting it tuned right so that it runs efficiently and gives you no problems. It's a little too much carb for a stock engine.
A stock 302 came from the factory with a 2bbl and if your 2bbl is rebuilt properly by someone who knows how to get it right you will have no problems.

 

[broncnaz]

Id say rebuild your stock 2v it will be fine. That said I like 4V's. Id search for a used intake and carb as its pretty spendy to buy new and as was said there is not really any gain. Your actually better off with a good exhuast system and tuning your engine correctly than you are swapping on a new intake/carb.
On the flip side 4v can give you better mileage usually the primary side which you drive on most of the time is smaller than your current 2V most people think they have a power increase when they swap on a 4v but what really happens is they have improved lowend throttle response due to those smaller primaries.
Since most 4v carbs are aftermarket you can usually get tuning parts easier so that can help as well.
If you wont do any offroading at all then a 500 cfm edelbrock performer would be a very good choice for the street and a stock 302.

 

[americanhorses]

I got a Q-jet from BC, upgraded my cam and exhaust. 'Finicky' what TN1776 said for me is an understatement! I'm sure it was mostly me not understanding how to adjust it. The smallest vacuum leak drove me crazy. Once that was fixed it is running very well. Now I need to learn the altitude adjustment.

 

[jckkys]

You have remember that when all the above posts talk about performance or power this means moving the power or torque curve to a higher rpm. The main shortcoming of the 302 is limited low rpm torque and those "power upgrades" don't help with this. A small 4bbl on a stock type intake will work like the 2bbl until the engine revs over 3000 rpm then there will be more power. The 1.08 venturi 4100 has a primary side that's identicle to the 1.08 venturi 2100 that was original on most 289-302 Broncos. So given the same calibration, both will run about the same at low rpm. Holley made a List#4548 as a replacement carb for Ford engines, that flows 450 cfm, or about the same as the 1.08" 4100. These are a lot easier to find and tune than the 4100. To see real improvement in low end torque, a longer stroke is how to get there. So a 347 crank or 351w swap will do more than 4bbls, cams, or headers. There's no replacement for displacement.