I have a 235 engine that makes spitting sounds. It occurs most frequently after the engine is warm and running about 50 mph. The spitting is intermittent. The previous owner said this car sat for several years before he found it at an estate sale. Could this problem be in the carburetor?
Thanks,
Sid

I would suspect the "spitting" is more ignition than carb because it is intermittent. Can be carb if the nozzle is not properly installed or jetted lean.

May have some sticking valves. I wwould run some Marvel Mystery oil through the carburetor throat with the engine running - or ATF.Then add about a pint to the gas tank.
If an intake valve dosen't close all the way it will spit back through the carb.

Thanks guys, I'll check out your suggestions soon. Would a carburetor for a '41 run too lean for a 235? That appears to be what is on it. I'll provide the number later when I get back from visiting the farm where I keep it. This carb has what looks like an extra item at its base. This item is bronze colored and has a rectangular bulb shape that protrudes from under the carb. Could it be some kind of after market economizer gizmo? This carb also develops a yellowish spot on its front after the engine warms up. Nothing like a good mystery!

A 216 carburetor will not fit on a 235 manifold. Also it has a smaller throat and calibrated for a 216 engine. The "thing" on the bottom of the 235 carburetor is a dash pot. It prevents the engine from stalling if you take off the in drive and suddenly remove your foot from the pedal.

W1 carb was available as an aftermarket? option for the 235. I had a 51 powerglide engine (babbit rods) with a W1 carb on it. I gave it to a friend for his 1932 Chevrolet.

I checked on the engine today. Its casting numbers indicate it is a 235 engine from 1956. It has a 216 valve cover and 216 intake manifold. The carburetor is a Carter W-1. I'll try the ATF treatment next week when I get some more time. Would the dash pot serve any purpose in a vehicle with standard transmission? If the problem is in the ignition, would it be the condenser? I replaced it and the coil just a few months ago. The points looked good and after I re-set them, it starts and runs smoothly. The spit symptom does not seem to affect performance. It doen't stumble when spitting. The spitting is happening at about 50 mph, but not a slower speeds.
Thanks,
Sid

It might be your distributor. You can have it checked out on a distributor machine.

I went out to the farm today and added anti-freeze to get the car ready for winter. I drove it about 8 miles at about 40 mph, and did not hear it spit. Later I drove it at 50 mph for a few seconds, and it spit. When it spits, there is no hesitation, just noise. I checked the distributor shaft, and there is very little side-to-side play. The points were adjusted to .020. I did not run ATF through the carburetor, because I would think that a sticking valve would cause some hesitation. Any more thoughts?
Thanks,
Sid

Bad sparkplug or something in the high speed circuit of the carb.