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I am restoring a 47 Super 8 custom club sedan.

The carb is missing. There is a 40-41 8 cylinder Carter WDO479S available online.

Will that carb work on my 47?

If not, what is the correct carb designation, and where might I find one?

Also, I have had a lot of trouble with the starter not disengaging. I have shimmed the starter motor back 3/16".

Might that help?

Thanks for any advice and comment.

John Verity, Boise, Idaho

with out looking in my books i believe the carb should be a carter 531s, i have an extra. will have to check to make sure it is correct as it is for the 356

The 356 should have the large Autolite gear reduction starter with solenoid pinion shift.

I'd be concerned with shimming the starter motor back because the pinion would only be engaging a small portion of the flywheel.

If something electrical is not keeping the internal relay and solenoid engaged, the solenoid plunger could have dry or gummy lube and be sticking in the bore. It was recommended to periodically clean and regrease the plunger with a thin coat of light grease. Another possibility is the solenoid coil is wound around a plastic core which surrounds the plunger. If the solenoid has been overheated the plastic can swell and also cause the plunger to bind.

Would the carb for a '47 Custom be a Carter WD-O?

WDO 531S is correct for that vehicle.

Regarding the starter motor, shimming it back is a very poor idea and likely can cause damage to both the starter and the flywheel ring gear. Why not just remove the starter and determine what's wrong with it?

Does the starter keep cranking after you let up on the gas pedal(electrical problem) or does the bendix drive stay engaged after starting (mechanical problem)??

Hi, did you find a spare WDO 531S? I would be interested in buying it from you.

johnjverity@hotmail.com or 208 853-0809

Thanks, John Verity, Boise

Hi, the starter would stay engaged before and after a complete rebuild.

I bypassed the carb start switch with a remote switch, and still had the problem even after a total starter rebuild.

Shimming back seems to have solved the problem - I hope.I'm not sure why, because there did appear to be plenty of drive/ring gear clearance.

I sent my carb to a phony rebuilder in Blackwood New Jersey, and am having trouble finding out if or when he will rebuild.

That is the reason I am looking for a replacement WDO 531S.

Thanks, John Verity, Boise

The starter kept cranking after letting up on the accelerator after the engine started.

A remote starter switch didn't seem to help. Shimming the starter back did seem to help.

Wanting to get a replacement carb so I can keep working with the restoration. My carb is at a dysfunctional rebuild shop.

Thanks for your ideas and help. John Verity, Boise

On the gear reduction starters it is often low voltage that causes that phenomenon. Does it crank well?? After starting is it that the starter keeps cranking or just stays engaged with the flywheel? Does removing one battery cable after starting fix the problem temporarily?