Mr Gasket 146

A Complete Overview of This Versatile Performance Carburetor Spacer

The Mr Gasket 146 is a popular carburetor spacer that can provide noticeable performance improvements for many vehicles. With the right information, you can determine if this affordable upgrade is the right choice for your ride. This comprehensive buying guide will provide everything you need to know to shop smart.

What Exactly is the Mr Gasket 146?

The Mr Gasket 146 is a carburetor spacer made from durable aluminum that installs between the intake manifold and the carburetor. This simple component can provide multiple benefits by altering air flow and intake temperatures.

Spacers like the 146 are designed to increase airflow velocity for improved atomization and mixing of the air and fuel. This leads to better vaporization and more complete combustion, which improves horsepower, throttle response, and mileage.

The 3/8 inch thick 146 also helps insulate the carburetor from hot intake air by providing an air gap. Lower inlet temperatures promote denser, cooler air for even better performance. The spacer also allows for easy carburetor swaps by providing a universal mounting surface.

Key Features of the Mr Gasket 146

• Compatible with square bore carburetors: Designed to work with popular square flange carburetors like the Edelbrock Performer Series or Holley.
• Open center design: The large 3.1 inch diameter open center promotes unrestricted airflow for maximum horsepower.
• Made from billet aluminum: CNC machined from durable aluminum alloy for precise tolerances. Anodized for corrosion resistance.
• Includes mounting studs: Contains mounting studs to securely attach the carburetor and intake manifold. Zinc dichromate coated for rust prevention.
• Universal fit: Works with many American V8s including small and big block Chevy, Chrysler Hemi, Ford FE, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile. Verify vehicle fitment.
• Made in the USA: Proudly manufactured in America for quality assurance.

How Does the Mr Gasket 146 Improve Performance?

This popular spacer enhances several aspects of engine performance when properly tuned:

• Increased horsepower – By speeding up airflow and improving fuel atomization, the 146 enables more complete combustion for max horsepower. Gains of 10-20 HP are common with carburetor tuning.
• Better throttle response – The accelerated airflow reduces lag between throttle input and power delivery for crisper acceleration.
• Improved fuel efficiency – Better fuel vaporization means less is wasted, allowing leaner cruising for increased miles per gallon.
• Cooler inlet temperatures – The insulating air gap lowers heat soak to the carburetor for denser intake charges.
• Faster carb swaps – The universal fitment makes it easy to swap different carbs by providing a consistent base.

With the right parts combo and tuning, the 146 spacer can provide very noticeable seat-of-the-pants performance!

What Vehicles is the Mr Gasket 146 Compatible With?

The Mr Gasket 146 is designed as a universal carburetor spacer to fit a wide range of vehicles. It is best suited for classic and performance cars and trucks running a square bore carburetor. Typical compatibility includes:

• Classic muscle cars like the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac GTO, Dodge Charger, etc.
• Hot rodded trucks with V8 engine swaps
• Many classic American sedans from the 50s-70s
• Jeep CJ and early Wrangler models with carbureted 4.2L I6 or V8s
• Early NASCAR and circle track race cars
• Custom street rods and pro-touring builds
• Certain European sports cars with square bore carbs

It is critical to check for proper carburetor, intake manifold, and hood clearance before installing the 146. It may not work with some factory restrictive intake manifolds. The spacer also requires carburetor tuning.

Step-By-Step 146 Installation Guide

While a carb spacer is simple in concept, proper installation is critical for safety and optimal performance. Follow these key steps:

1. Verify Fitment

Confirm the 146 will clear your specific intake manifold, carburetor, and hood before starting. Check all orientations and corners for tight clearances.

2. Clean Mounting Surfaces

Use carb cleaner and rags to thoroughly clean the spacer, intake manifold, and carburetor mating surfaces. Remove any grease or debris.

3. Apply Gasket Sealer

Apply a continuous bead of OEM-approved gasket sealer to both sides of the supplied intake gaskets. This prevents vacuum leaks.

4. Install Base Gasket

Carefully set the thicker base gasket in place on the intake manifold mounting flange. Ensure it fully seals.

5. Install the Carb Spacer

Place the Mr Gasket 146 on top of the base gasket. Line up the mounting bolt holes.

6. Install Top Gasket

Put the thinner top gasket in place on top of the spacer, again ensuring full sealing.

7. Mount the Carburetor

Set the carburetor atop the assembly. Insert the provided zinc-plated mounting studs through the aligned holes.

8. Secure Fasteners

Thread on the lock nuts or retaining brackets and evenly torque the fasteners to the proper spec.

9. Reconnect Throttle Linkage, Fuel Lines, etc.

Hook up the throttle linkage, transmission kickdown, fuel lines, vacuum lines, and any other connections to the carburetor.

10. Tune the Engine

With everything assembled, fire up the engine and make final adjustments to idle speed, fuel mixture, and timing for best performance.

Proper installation combined with tuning will provide huge dividends in power, drivability, and mileage.

Where to Buy the Genuine Mr Gasket 146

The Mr Gasket 146 is a very popular upgrade that is available through many major retailers. For guaranteed fitment, only purchase from an authorized Mr Gasket dealer. Recommended sources include:

• Local auto parts stores – Major chains like AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto Parts, and Advance Auto Parts often stock the 146 in-store or available for order.
• Online at Summit Racing – The largest online performance parts retailer carries the full Mr Gasket line with quick shipping.
• From JEGS – Another trusted mail order source for racers with great prices and fast fulfillment.
• Direct from Mr Gasket – You can buy directly from the manufacturer if you have any trouble finding it elsewhere.

The Mr Gasket website has a dealer locator to help find local retailers that carry their products. Price shop between sources for the best deal.

Materials and Construction of the 146

This spacer is crafted from high quality components to strike the ideal balance of performance, durability, and value. Here are the materials used:

• Aircraft grade 6061 aluminum – The main body is CNC machined from this lightweight yet strong aluminum alloy. It is then anodized for corrosion and scratch resistance.
• Grade 8 mounting studs – The supplied mounting bolts are made from 8.8 grade steel for high shear and tensile strength. Zinc plating deters rust.
• Buna-N gaskets – The included intake gaskets use oil resistant Buna-N rubber to securely seal without decomposing over time.
• Steel retaining nuts – Grade 5 zinc-plated nuts provide the proper stretch capability for a reliable clamping load on the studs.

Precision construction from these premium materials allow the 146 to withstand years of performance use while avoiding dangerous vacuum leaks.

Reviews of the Mr Gasket 146 by Owners

With decades on the market, the 146 has proven itself time and again to countless enthusiasts. Here are excerpts from positive owner reviews:

• “Easy to install and netted an extra 15 hp on my retro muscle car build. Great bang for your buck mod!”
• “The throttle response improved dramatically after tuning my Holley. My classic truck just feels much quicker now.”
• “Fit my Nova intake perfectly and didn’t require any hood clearance mods. Looks good too with the polished finish.”
• “Running the 146 on my 410 SBC dirt track motor. Lower intake temps helped keep heat soak away on longer runs.”
• “Made my old Mustang’s 351W much more fun to drive after dialing in the carb. Awesome mod for the money.”

Owners of all types of performance vehicles report strong satisfaction with the real world benefits of the Mr Gasket carb spacer.

How Does the 146 Compare to Other Spacer Options?

The Mr Gasket 146 is one of the most proven carb spacers, but there are alternatives to consider:

• Weiand 7547 Street Warrior – Very similar in design to the 146 but about twice the cost. Provides comparable gains.
• Wilson Manifolds Heat Spacer – Uses a composite material to insulate better but doesn’t improve airflow. Cheaper option.
• Homemade spacers – Some DIY enthusiasts make custom spacers but achieving proper fitment is difficult.
• Open plenum intakes – Aftermarket intakes like from Edelbrock can outperform spacers but are far more expensive.

For most applications, the 146 provides the best bang for your buck based on dyno tests and owner reviews. Its open port matched with aluminum construction optimizes airflow for measurable performance improvement versus other budget spacers.

Maximum Performance with the Mr Gasket 146

While effective on stock engines, the 146 spacer really shines when paired with other common hot rodding upgrades:

• Header upgrade – High flow headers further take advantage of the improved airflow. Long tube headers are ideal.
• Camshaft upgrade – A more aggressive cam working with the spacer keeps the RPMs up in the power band.
• Free-flow air filter – A low restriction cone filter feeds more air into the carburetor.
• Tune and valve adjustment – Proper tuning and lash setting ensures peak cylinder filling and detonation avoidance.

By combining the spacer with exhaust, intake, and ignition upgrades, you can achieve huge horsepower and torque gains reliably. An adjustable fuel pressure regulator is also wise for tuning.

Is the Mr Gasket 146 Right for My Vehicle?

The versatile 146 can work great on many vehicles, but consideration should be given to these factors:

• Carburetor – The spacer was designed for square bore carbs. Verify carburetor fitment and make any modifications needed.
• Intake manifold – Ensure the spacer does not hit the manifold. Some factory manifolds are very restrictive.
• Hood clearance – Measure for adequate hood clearance at the front and back of the carb/spacer assembly in all positions.
• Performance goals – Less effective gains on near stock engines. Optimized for modified performance engines.
• Tuning capability – Carburetor tuning is required to see full benefits. If you can’t properly tune, gains will be limited.
• Use of other gaskets – Never use additional gaskets not specified by Mr Gasket. This can block airflow.

As long as your vehicle meets the requirements, the 146 can be a very rewarding upgrade. Contact Mr Gasket support for specific vehicle compatibility questions.

Maintaining Peak Performance

Like any performance part seeing extreme conditions, the 146 will last longer and perform better by following these maintenance tips:

• Regular gasket inspections – Check carb and intake gaskets for vacuum leaks which can hurt power and lead to damage. Reseal if needed.
• Check fastener torque – Ensure studs and nuts maintain proper torque over time to prevent leaks.
• Inspect for wear/cracks – Periodically look for signs of physical wear like scratches or cracks which could affect function.
• Keep mounting surfaces clean – Don’t allow dirt buildup in the spacer opening or on mating surfaces. Use carb cleaner to periodically wipe down.
• Avoid overheating – Excessive carb or engine heat can warp the aluminum spacer over time. Upgrade cooling system if needed.
• Proper winter storage – Either coat steel parts in anti-rust lubricant or remove entire assembly for indoor storage to prevent corrosion.

With occasional inspection and cleaning, the Mr Gasket carb spacer will provide years of trouble-free performance.

Bottom Line on the Mr Gasket 146

For many classic and performance vehicles, this reasonably priced carb spacer is a smart upgrade for noticeable power gains, crisper acceleration, and improved fuel economy when properly installed and tuned.

The Mr Gasket 146 utilizes a proven open port design that enhances airflow and intake temperatures for measurably better performance on modified engines. Countless enthusiasts have benefited from its easy DIY installation and universal carb compatibility.

By following this comprehensive buying guide, you can decide if the 146 is right for your ride. Paired with other affordable go-fast mods, this spacer delivers excellent bang for the buck. So use this knowledge to shop confidently and let the power gains begin!