63 Eldorado carburetor

[Daniela]

All, 
I am currently on the finishing line to get my Cadillac back on the road. The engine is already back in but the mechanic now ran into a new problem - he cannot adjust the carburetor bc the screws are stuck. 

Now I am looking into finding a new or rebuilt replacement. He suggested to buy a rebuilt one with all the caskets from CaddyDaddy and I just wanted to see what your suggestions are? I asked him if it was possible to get a new one e.g. from Edelbrock (something I found via google) but he said that it would not fit espc. since my car has cruise control. 

Happy about any feedback. 

Thanks
Daniela

[Tony and Ginny 429]

Daniela 

Because it is a 63 and the trans shifts are controlled by the TV rod —off the side of that carb —I would rebuild the carb you have or find a 63 carb that is rebuilt already 

Get a 63 Carter carb if at all possible as it is the better carb for your  application 

If you would go with an Edelbrock carb you have to improvise ( make yourself ) the plate for the TV rod as Edelbrock does not supply a part for that rod to work as it should on there carb 

Very glad you are very near getting the car back on the road 

Sure you are very excited about doing that 

Not sure ——but Jason or Russ on this site may have a core carb that you can have rebuilt 

Enjoy 

[Tony and Ginny 429]

Caddy Daddy should have what you need but as a rule they are expensive to deal with 

so some shopping might help with the asking price 

Enjoy 

[Daniela]

Hi Tony, thank you so much for the feedback. That matches about what my mechanic said - I just wanted to make sure.

[Russ Austin]

What carb is on the car? Either a Carter or a Rochester. I have a working Carter for sale. However, I recommend a Rochester. 

[Tony and Ginny 429]

Daniela 

Russ is as good as it gets regarding the 63 Cadillac and its needs so do go with his suggestions on the subject 

63 is his own passion and ride ( a major parts supplier on this site  ) and you can expect the best possible service and pricing from him and Jason regarding our year Cadillacs parts 

Enjoy 

[Daniela]

Thank you all so much!
My dad decided to surprise me and had already ordered the one the mechanic suggested by the time I woke up today.
I will take that as a late Easter present or a very early Bday one.

[Tony and Ginny 429]

Daniela 

Sounds to me you have a very special car guy kind of  Dad to support your Cadillac restoration 

My  car guy kind of Dad did support a lot of the things I enjoyed doing with my cars so you just  reminded me of that which is a enjoyable thought 

Enjoy 

[Daniela]

Dads are the best!
Mine has a couple of classics back in Germany but he is already planning to take my Caddy out for an extended trip through the USA.

And the best part is since I got my car him and I spent a lot of time talking and him explaining me things. It’s all via phone or Skype but it still a joined project.

[Jason Edge]

The 600 cfm Edelbrock 1406 would be a nice replacement as it is a direct bolt down, with no mods to intake required, throttle linkage is the same, gas line is the same if you had the Carter AFB (Rochester has a different gas line), and the only issue is adding an adaptor plate for the TV rod to your Hydramatic transmission.  You would want to replaced the stock intake to carb spacer with the PCV nipple and replace with an aftermarket spacer/insulator. All of this is noted in a help page I posted way back at this link:
https://6364cadillac.ning.com/forum/topics/edelbrock-1406-1411-inst...  I went with the 750 cfm 1411 with my 429 which requires mods to the intake due to front port size on carb, but the 600 cfm 1406 would be perfect for your 390 application and close to the stock cfm (gas flow) rate. You can show that link to your mechanic as one option.

I am guessing you want to get the car on the road ASAP. I saw that the Caddy Daddy price for the rebuilt Carter is $485 and Rochester is $499. Those prices are not bad, and could get you going very soon if they have one on the shelf. There is a huge $400 to $500 core charge so you want to send them your old one. If they don't have one ready to send out they need to provide a specific turn around time. OH, and keep your same carb type. Both Rochester and Carter are fine carbs.  If they have a long turn around time, check Hemmings Motor News, as they have over a dozen rebuilders listed including some, like Daytona Parts Co in Smyrna Beach, Fl that I remember hearing good things about. 
Perhaps others can refer good rebuilders here with quicker turn around times, or post to the CLC forums for reputable carb rebuilders and bet you will get some good responses. Again, if Caddy Daddy has the correct carb ready to ship, I would probably go that route. Just my opinion. In the big scheme of things $500 is not that much to get your car on the road.. which will be priceless! 

[Daniela]

Hi Jason,
Thanks for all the information.
My dad and I had talked about a new one from Edelbrock. I found that article you mentioned after I posted here. But with the odyssey I had with the repairs so far my dad made the decision to buy the carter one from caddydaddy instead of trying to get the tv rod adapter plate. The mechanic said he had already spoken to them and it is in stock.
So fingers crossed that I get the rebuilt one in a couple of days.

[Jason Edge]

That is fantastic! Sometimes it is just better to fork over a bit of booty and get the ride on the road. I know you have already waited too long! 

[Tony and Ginny 429]

Daniela 

That extended travel thu the USA should be a real blast  to be doing especially in your  restored 63 Cadillac Eldo 

That should be —-a make a memory —kind of a special event for the family 

Will you have the time to be joining Dad in seeing the USA in that fine Cadillac ?

Glad you got your carb issue squared away and the price is very reasonable as Jason’s research shows which did surprise me 

Do be aware that there are often a few bugs  in most rebuilds to be worked out once a rebuilt engine is started and running so do allow for that to happen as I know how excited you are to get the car  back on the road but a little time is required for that to happen 

It takes a little time to get things in order and the engine running smooth 

Once running smooth the next most important thing is  breaking in the new engine correctly so you get years of enjoyment from your new TOY so do some research regarding that subject 

Looks like some real fun times are in your near future 

I think I like your dad a lot already 

Enjoy