Looking for info on 1963 AFB 3503SA jets & metering rods

Discussion in 'Carter' started by DAVESS1987, Oct 13, 2015.

  1. DAVESS1987

    DAVESS1987 Member

    My dad bought a 1963 Wildcat with 401 & Carter AFB. it was running way too rich so we bought a rebuild kit and pulled it apart. The vents are plugged solid and the bowls are full of rust, showing a problem with the gas tank. (When we replaced the sending unit I expected this since the original sending unit was all rusted and the strainer and fitting was missing). So I found some information on Mike's Carburetor Parts - www.carburetor-parts.com
    where he lists the correct jets and metering rods for this carb. Main jets are .092 part # 120-256 and secondary jets are .082 120-158. The metering rods are part # 16-219. A thread on this site shows that the 16-219 rods measure .0685 cruise and .063 power.
    The problem I'm finding is that these rods and jets are nowhere to be found. Would the newer style jets used in the Edelbrock carbs work in this carb? The closest rods I can find are .068 x .057, would these work well? Not sure what difference the larger rods would make if any, but dad is looking to restore it to stock. One other mystery, the rods in the carb may be able to be cleaned but look like they are slightly bent. One of the rods is a # 16-219 and the other is a 16-128 (which I can find no specs for). Would the factory have maybe installed the wrong rod? and would the two different part #s make any difference? Of course the original jets are all bent up it has been rebuilt sometime in the past, I can read the 120 # but the rest of the number on the other side is scraped off on all of them.
    So if anyone knows about using the different rods with the stock sized jets, or has some NOS Carter rods and jets they are looking to sell give me a shout!
    Thanks
    Dave
     
  2. DEADMANSCURVE

    DEADMANSCURVE my first word : truck

    uh yeah - good luck reading those jet n rod numbers . I keep a small magnifying glass on carb table for those .
    checked my carter book , listed that carb # as for a '63 buick , automatic , 4400-4800 series big car . service replacement #3578 . so probably good there .
    nope the factory probably did not install wrong size rods . either some one did a quickee rebuild , bent one , replaced with something laying around - or - was sent out to a place for rebuild and they just did the same . that usually happens by pre assembling the top section of carb with rods installed then trying to drop top section into place , rod gets hung up on way down , force it a little = bent rod . always put rods in last carefully . they should travel up n down freely once together . and the shape n size of rods works in conjunction with jet size to control fuel flow depending upon throttle position . more throttle , rod moves up and opens up jet opening . the spring under rod piston also has some part# choices .
    I have an old carter comp series tune kit with some extra jets n rods . the closest I could come was :
    (2) 92 jets
    (2) 80 jets
    (2) #16-98 rods ( .068 x .0555 )
    look new .
    or ya could order up some edelbrock replacements and see how they match up shape n size wise . and I would be tempted to try their basic 600cfm manual choke internals ( a little more aggressive than the elec choke spec parts ) . if you can't find those part numbers let me know . readily available through summit or jegs or even through like advanced auto probably . but have your part numbers researched and ready for those guys .
    make sure ya flush that carb out good , that rusty leftover gas sludge will be trapped in all the nooks n crannies - better to remove jets for that . also a problem area on those design carbs . I just had to drill out a jet ( 1/4" ) and retap at 5/16" fine . 3 good , last one . a 1/4 reverse drill bit may work well - ? maybe i'll try one next time .
    contact me if needed .
     
  3. DAVESS1987

    DAVESS1987 Member

    Thanks Del for the info, I will let you know if I need anything else but think we will try the .068 x .057, closest to the original rods that i can find and hopefully they will do the trick. Mike's Carburetors offers these for $4.95 each.
    Dave Calhoun
     

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