I have a 62 tbird with a stock Holley four barrel carb and stock manaifold. I need to replace the carb and wanted to install an edelbrock carb. I was told that a spacer would have to be added between the existing carb and the new one. The concern is that with the air cleaner on there may not be enough space for the hood to close. HAs anyone done this retrofit without changing the manaifold. If so did you have any problem using the stock air cleaner or the chrome edelbrock type without interferring with the hood closing

Thanks,

Bob, your '62 should have had a single Ford 4v caruretor (excluding the M code). If yours has a Holley carburetor, then it is not original. Ford and others sold replacement type Holley carburetors over the counter and that may be what you have. They are very common and easy to rebuild. The more correct Ford carburetors are getting harder to find but they are offered on e-bay and by many aftermarket vendors. I have used both Ford and Holley carburetors on my '66 and both will work fine. I prefer the Ford carb because it is more correct and matches perfectly with the throttle and transmission linkage. The Edelbrock carb is based on the Carter AFB which Ford used on the 430 T-birds and Lincolns. It is an older design and the Edelbrock version is a "one size fits some" type of piece. It will recquire at least some fabricating to make it work on your 'bird. Nothing major but it is not an exact replacement. Unless your present carb has significant damage or excessive wear, I would just rebuild it. Better still would be to find a suitable Ford carburetor and keep your bird all Ford. JMO