single main air bleed carb - 0.050" air bleed

[novadude]

In reviewing the recommendations in Cliff's book, I see that most "recipies" involve resizing the air bleeds to 0.080", and using a larger main jet.  I have one with 0.050" air bleeds. 

I've build one of the SMAB carbs with a 0.050" bleed using 73 jets and 50M metering rods.  It's on a mild Chevy 396, and it works really well.  Getting ready to build another one of these for a 9.6:1 355 Chevy that pulls 14-15" at idle (217/225 deg cam).  Is there any reason to run larger 75-77 jets and 0.080" air bleeds?  I was thinking of leaving these at 0.050" and running the 73/50M combo that worked so well on the other carb.  Thoughts?  Pros / Cons of each set-up?

[Malibu72]

Did you reduce the 2 main air bleeds in the air horn down to .050? Thats what I was wondering about in my post.

[novadude]

Mine are already at 0.050".  Factory calibration is 73 jet, 50M metering rod.  The metering rods still have the 0.036" tips, so to answer your question, I think you ALWAYS need the 0.036" tip rods with the SMAB carbs.  Maybe someone more knowledgeable can confirm.

[Cliff Ruggles]

73/50M will be fine with the smaller MAB's....Cliff