The Differences Between Edelbrock and Carter Carburetors

Ever wanted to know the differences between the Edelbrock and Carter Competition Series carburetors? Think you KNOW the differences? Today we’re going to put a few internet myths to rest as we look at three different carburetors side by side and give them a through inspection. Be prepared! We found some surprises! Long video, but a through review!

#edelbrock #carterafb #carburetor

[duals]

Something you need to take into account is, those two Carter carbs you used for comparison came out at the same time Edelbrock had come out with their carbs.
The comparison would have been better with the original Carter comp series carbs. I ran two 500 cfm Carter Comp series carbs on a Mustang I had back in the late eighties. You can tell by the part number difference, the slotted screws (Edelbrock started the torx bit screws and then the Carters like yours had them as well). Even the little Comp Series name plate across the top affixed by the two top screws was different. They were attached using small rivets in the air horn on the Carters.
I have an old early eighties Carter catalog that lists all the info on the Comp Series as well as all the factory replacement carbs that I kept from a parts place I worked at that went out of business.
I hated the Edelbrock's when they came out at first, but I agree that Edelbrock gives out why more tuning info then Carter ever did. And tuning parts are a lot easier to get. Back in the day only folks that were good with carbs knew how to tune the Carter, which is why Holley's were always more popular.

[stephenhotzjustdriveit]

Thank you for the info. I am picking up a rescue and it has a Carter carb on it. this makes it easier bringing my own gasket set.

[phillippautler]

I have 2 625 Caters that I bought around 1983. The one with a manual choke is a comp. The auto choke is not a comp. If I remember right the comp. came with different jets and rods, and I never got the gas mileage. I do know that I put the same rods and jets in it as the other one, but could not make the gas milage as the one with the auto choke. All I have are two Cater strip kits, that I have used on both Caters and all my 600 cfm Edelbrocks. Over the last 35 years I have benn using the Carter rebuild kits. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR videos.

[alleyoop]

After seeing this video, I will do the same comparison. But between a 1406, and my '65 400hp 409's Carter carb. I do already know the bowl gaskets are the same.
I used to have a Carter Strip Kit back in the 80's that had all the needles & jets. And I do still have an old Carter catalogue

[pacbrian]

this is awesom info!! thanks for breaking this down. now I know!

[VinoRatRodbuilds]

Quadrajet brought back memories, had one on a 68 super sport Camaro that I bought in senatobia 1978 for 750.00 . 1981 drove it to California where I'm at now, it's sold now.

[nramcharger]

A few years back I pulled a Carter AFB competition series carburetor off a Chevy 350 engine in a junkyard. Looks like the carburetor was never taken apart from what I can see it did have the off-road kit for the carburetor float bowls already in place

[jesseduke]

I've been watching sevral of your videos lately & I must say, l love them. Very helpful in my learning about carbs better. I currently have a couple Eldebrock 750's I use. Now I do want to try out some Holleys or off brand Holleys someday. Such as Quick feul or I've also been interested in the Summit carbs. But back to my question, I've heard you talk about the deterioration of the finish from ethanol blend fuels & im wondering what I can do to help protect my carbs. I'm poor & quite hillbilly so my hotrods consist of 50yr old engines alot so they are broke down much more than they run so they sit. For storage I do dump the fuel out of them but im sure the residue still affects the finish, especially sitting?

[seansmithyman]

I assume the primary venturi size on the 625 is slightly wider to justify the extra 25cfm rating? 🤔

[honestabe]

My Carter uses a vacuum piston for choke return. What does edelbrock utilize to return the choke

[gabrieldimarco]

Great comparison video, thank you. Here in Canada, Shell sells 91 octane gasoline with no ethanol added. Better for carbs and FI. Not sure if it's the same in the US??

[rickynelson]

Can you do a video on dual carburetors tuning, I have a tunnel ram with two old AFBs on it

[carebear]

My 1968 base model charger had a Carter ABS on it and I found a original Carter AVS, think it’s 4011S if I remember it right, I know the difference, but what one performs better, the kick down linkage was not working I’m guessing because it works of the vacuum secondary’s and the ABS has open secondary’s?

[wintonwright]

The Rochester quadriget was actually designed by old man Carter and he sold it to General Motors in the mid sixties. Then? When I did design the thermoquad the most fantastic split board car would ever built in my mind

[FACEBOOKS-WBDS]

MISSED ONE DETAIL . I worked at SUPER SHOPS back in the day when these both were being sold. I pressed for the your answer "what is the difference" so I could better sell to my customer. Then I was let in on the fact. The Carter is made of a better grade of aluminum and the Edelbrock is made of an alloy that polishes up easier ( unfortunatly this makes it highly subseptable to heat soak and boaling gas out of the bowls, under a non-freash air type hood) I have verified this more then a few times over the years. You can fix this with spacer/heat sheild/isolators space provided

[mrpenland]

i was wondering performance wise is the carter afb better than a carter quadrajet for racing...i have a afb on my 78 bronco and i had a quadrajet on my 68 nova, nova ran mid 7's i/8th mile times back in the 1990's and i really liked the quadrajet on it, had a local carb guy modify it

[darwinfoster]

I have used edelbrock kits on all my old carters, even used the metering rod kits in Carter.. bad gas from pre ethanol looks like the problem with that 600 carter .

[sidthompso]

Had one on my 64 Olds 88 with a 394 cu. In. 345 HP

[Jimeoin]

Does anyone know if Thermoquads use the same tune up kits (gaskets, jeta and metering rods)?

[johnweaver]

Good info as always can't wait to see your video on the new Edelbrock race carb