I don’t know anything about carburetors but my son wants for us to try and rebuild it because of some isues we are having on our 1967 XR7. It is a 289 engine with an automatic transmission. So the help I need is for the following:
1 -To identify what type of carburetor this is. Is this an Autolite 4300 4V carburetor?
2 - Decide whether to rebuild ourselves or not. I see rebuild kits on WCCC and CJ Pony parts for about $30. Is this something a novice can do?
Looks to be a service replacement, 1968 Autolite 4300. C8ZF-9510-C ( engineering # ) is Ford p/n C8ZZ-9510-C ( CA-544 ) not listed in the L-M MPC for a 289, but is the ONLY applicable carburetor for 1968 models C, F ( S/T & T/E ) 302 V8. You will notice the electric throttle / idle solenoid on your carb - this is indicative of its application to an A/C equipped car or as an anti-diesel check ( to stop engine run-on when it is turned off ). Have a look at this Hemmings article on the 4300 : https://www.hemmings.com/blog/article/autolite-4-barrel-carburetors/
Rebuilding ? Lots of people in the carb overhaul business feel the 4300 has been underrated as a carb, and with a proper rebuild ( to address some inherent flaws in its design ) it can be a good, long service trouble-free 4-barrel. Others condemn the carb as not worthy of the time and money required to get it to give good performance with a smooth power curve, these individuals recommend replacement with a Holley ( a Ford part numbered Holley ) or a Holley application for Ford small blocks ( like the 8150 - which has a appropriate CFM rating for a 302 / 351W ). If you choose to rebuild yourself, and it’s doable, just be meticulous with the disassembly, cleaning, and re-assembly - paying careful attention to the set-up of the float levels and all linkages. I’m not sure if the CJ pony kit contains a detailed, step by step guide to the overhaul - but there are good print manuals dedicated to the overhaul of carburetors, esp. the Holley ( check on-line or at a local speed shops ). Check at your local Ford ‘store’ ( i.e. - dealership ) to see if the Motorcraft Carb tune-up kit contains a rebuild sheet - they often do, and are quite detailed, covering all possible variations in the 4300 ( 1966 -1978 )
Another option is the Autolite 4100 for 289’s, used in 66/67 (the 65 models have different fuel filter inlets). The 4100 is an extremely well designed carb, easy to rebuild, and fairly plentiful in the Mustang community. The 4100 is the model that Summit used as a basis for their new carbs. Be careful, though, as that model was used throughout the engine line (289, 390, 289 hipo, etc.) so you want the right one for your application (still very plentiful and available).
Hooboy! That is a now-rare '68 441 CFM 4300 carb all right. My '68 had a 1975 “big” 600CFM one on it with the C8ZF tag swapped over. The 4300 kits have gaskets for both throttle sizes. The kits come with a float gauge (cardboard, but by God it works). Go for rebuilding, but beware a sloppy primary throttle shaft-to-base fit. If it’s real loose you’re resourceful and don’t mind extra work, you can find bushings and re-bush the shaft, but you’ll be trailblazing (and should document it here!)
In my '71 351C M-Code, I ran 13s using the bigger brother 600 version and had daily driven response all over the tach, so yeah, the 4300 can run. While you fiddle with the 4300, you may want to buy a Holley “refurb” at about half the price of a new one (they work fine) as an interim solution. You’ll have manageable fuel line mods to connect to it - I sent the link in a PM. Best of success!
I too have the 441 CFM running in Pole Cat. I am very pleased with the performance. The various instructions available are good and understandable. Once the car warms up it is amazingly stout with no hesitation or bogging. Cold, it runs fine as long as I don’t floor it. I would say that a novice that is good with tools can do this rebuild with proper instructions and rebuild kit in hand.
The shaft is another issue and can not be easily fixed. Mine has a slight bit of slop and does not seem to be an issue, yet. I do plan on bringing the carb into my shop here over the winter and bush the shaft. Might do it sooner if I can find the tolerance of the shaft to hole. Rebuild it.
