Rebuild or buy new? Holley 1904 carb

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

#16

11-25-2012, 09:07 PM

1952henry

Fleet Mechanic

Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: Mandan, ND

Posts: 1,749

Likes: 101

Received 152 Likes on 92 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by AXracer

Often the problem with older single and 2B carbs is the throttle plate shaft wears the bushing holes in the carb body until an air leak develops. Unfortunately most rebuilders don't check the cores for this wear, and checking it yourself is difficult. The older and/or more popular the carb the more likely the risk of getting a freshly rebuilt leaker is. It's near impossible to find a 94 or 97 with an original body casting that doesn't leak. That's why companies like Grant has started manufacturing their own all new replacements.

I'd say rebuild yours, if that doesn't solve your problems, sell it as rebuilt, and buy a new replacement. Make sure you buy a pail of carb boilout like Gunk and soak all the parts after removing any/all passage plugs. Just flushing with parts or carb cleaner won't clean out the passages.

I've run into quite a few that are quite tight. Basic rule of thumb, if you can't jiggle the throttle arm/shaft, it is good. The 97s, if loose, are an easy fix, as they have a replaceable bushing, readily available. The 94s can be bushed, if one has a ream and the patience to set up a jig to get everything square. In either case, 94 or 97, the throttle shafts themselves can be worn, but built up again with silver solder. Have done it many times with nary a complaint.

I believe the BG company is kaput, or at least went bankrupt.

Reply Like

#17

11-25-2012, 10:52 PM

AXracer

Hotshot

Join Date: Oct 2004

Location: Durham NC

Posts: 15,844

Likes: 12

Received 53 Likes on 34 Posts

Thanks for the info, it's been a number of years since I last rebuilt a carb.

Reply Like

#18

11-26-2012, 06:18 AM

49willard

Cargo Master

Join Date: Apr 2005

Location: Harpswell Maine

Posts: 3,294

Likes: 1

Received 124 Likes on 63 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by NumberDummy

Try here: North Hollywood Carburetor & Ignition (818-769-0040), been in the biz for over 50 years.

Did all of Harrah's Auto Collection carb & ignition work. When Harrah owned it, he had over 2,500 vehicles on display.

For many years, Harrah put on a 4 day show/swap meet in Reno. He died in 1977, the night before the car show was to be held, car show was cancelled.

After he died, his kids had no interest, sold the whole shebang (casinos, hotels, car/truck collection, former William Lyons collection of old west artifacts) to Holiday Inn Inc.

Some stuff was later saved, now part of the National Auto Museum in Reno.

Fortunately I went the the swap meet in June of 1977 the last year of the swap meet. ( I know that it was 1977 because I convinced my wife to go on our 10th wedding anniversary!) Harrah died one year later on June 30th 1978.
You may be correct about all of the assets being sold to Holliday Inn. It was my understanding that the reason that control of the collection went to Holiday Inn was that he put the collection up as assets when he built Harrahs in Atlantic City in partnership with Holiday Inn. After his death, the collection was run for a few years until Holiday Inn decided that the collection was not a money maker and as a business they sold most of the collection over 3 separate auctions in 3 years. Many people paid "stupid money" at the time for cars with the Bill Harrah name.

Reply Like