Carter AVS on a Ford motor?

pyroman

Founding Member
Jul 28, 2002
480
3
18
Ennis, Texas
Carter AVS carburators?

I decided to stop being lazy and look up exactly what carb has been on my 289 for at least the 6 years that I've owned it.

What I found?

Well it is a Carter AVS 4638 and from the information I have gathered it was used heavily on Mopars and some Chevys. A little odd, I'm not aware if this is a popular thing to do or just one time deal with whoever owned it last. Anyone else with this carb?

I was wondering if any of you guys have some information on this carb and whether it is a decent fit for a SBF. If so, I thought I might get a rebuild kit for it.

So, how about it guys?
 
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A carb is a carb, as long as it's not oversized for the motor (I'm thinking "AVS" means its a vacuum secondary carb which is perfect for a smaller motor) it doesn't care what brand it's on. If you're happy with it, keep it.
 
I had the same one on my first 67 back in1989 and it ran great. That is why I put the edelbrock carb on my 351. Same carb just different sticker. Not as many performance related parts as a Holly or Demon but good for a 289.
 
A carb is a carb, as long as it's not oversized for the motor (I'm thinking "AVS" means its a vacuum secondary carb which is perfect for a smaller motor) it doesn't care what brand it's on. If you're happy with it, keep it.

I think he might mean he has one of the Edelbrock 'Thunder AVS (adjustable valve secondaries? i think?)' carb... basically Edelbrock's answer to the Holley Street Avenger. Should be a pretty nice carb, actually.
 
I think he might mean he has one of the Edelbrock 'Thunder AVS (adjustable valve secondaries? i think?)' carb... basically Edelbrock's answer to the Holley Street Avenger. Should be a pretty nice carb, actually.

From what I've read, AVS stands for Aluminum Vacuum Secondaries. Hemmings said that the AVS carbs can fetch between $100 and $200 depending on tag number! Not bad for what I thought was just a junker. I'm trying to find out if the 4638 is one of the desirable ones...
 
Most likely it's a 625 CFM. From what I recall, the AVS stood for Air Valve or Vacuum Secondaries. AFB was for Aluminum Four Barrel. The AVS is the same design as the new Edelbrock Thunder Series, while the AFB is the same as the Performer series. The AVS has a valve above the secondaries that is pulled open by the engine vacuum. I believe it was exclusive to Mopar. They are decent carbs, but just like the modern versions from Edelbrock, a Holley of the same CFM will usually out perform them. You could probably decode the numbers on with info on the net, and sell it to a mopar guy, and buy a holley or Autolite 4100 ending up with a better running car.