Carb advice

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Oct 12, 2012 | 04:25 PM

#16

Gary Lewis

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Joined: Jul 2010

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From: Northeast, OK

Quote:

Originally Posted by big vann

I'll be the last to defend Holley as I still have a bitter taste from a crappy Street Avenger that caused me lots of headaches.That being said,I'm sure there have been many issues with Holley carbs,just as there are issues with other manufacturers carbs.The reality is that you can retrofit a older Holley carb with non stick reusable gaskets,power valve blow out kits etc...I like my older Holleys because thats what I've used and I know how to tune them.Once tuned for a performance application they don't get out of tune.Jets,shooters,pump cams don't change by themseves.I've never had a secondary vacuum diaphragm rupture,but have had a accelerator diaphragm leak.I've also had accelerator diaphragm leaks on OEM carbs.I see that there is alot of dislke towards Holley carbs,but there are millions of them in use.I don't understand Eddy carbs but would try one(on a stock engine) if I found one cheap enough.I once had a Carter AFB(closest to a Eddy) on a 440 powered '73 Duster.I swapped it for a holley and never looked back.I guess I haven't had nearly as many problems with Holley's as some people have had.Since I have lots of spare parts,cores and know how,I'll stick with what I know.

Yes, there are kits to "retrofit a older Holley carb with non stick reusable gaskets,power valve blow out kits etc" to fix the design flaws. Unfortunately there are those "millions in use", but unfortunately many of them haven't had the kits installed on them, so they are still subject to those problems, and many of those are FTE'ers. And, if they buy a Holley off of Craigslist they won't know if the design flaws have been fixed unless they are quite savvy.

Oct 12, 2012 | 04:45 PM

#17

mmalte2

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Joined: Jun 2008

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From: Baltimore City, MD

I seemed to have unintentionally ignited the Holley vs. Edelbrock debate. I've had, rebuilt, and tuned 6 or so Holleys but all on pre emissions vehicles. I'd put a 4180 back on there and I think I'd be fine but I don't think I can fine tune it as well as the 4160 or 1406.

Oct 12, 2012 | 05:21 PM

#18

Gary Lewis

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Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 32,875

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From: Northeast, OK

I'm just having fun. Hope everyone else is as well.

Oct 12, 2012 | 06:24 PM

#19

mmalte2

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From: Baltimore City, MD

You bet. Good times!

Oct 12, 2012 | 07:13 PM

#20

truckertrav

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Joined: Jan 2012

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From: Norman, Ar

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmalte2

You bet. Good times!

True on the Good Times...

I personally like the E-Brocks...(on both my Trucks)..Trav..

Oct 13, 2012 | 02:12 PM

#21

big vann

Senior User

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 369

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From: BC Cana'duh

I'd be wary of any used carb regardless of brand.Plus anything you buy off Craigslist is risky,especially used engine parts.Unless I could see/hear a used carb on a running engine,I'd consider it a core.A little knowledge is as bad as no knowledge.On a side note,Edelbrocks are not without issues.Just look at the threads in the Performance section.The Holley/Eddy debate will continue just as the headers vs cast exhaust manifolds ignites some passionate debate or even carbs vs injection.Want some passion?Ask how to convert EFI to carb in the '87 up forum.To me,tuning a fresh high performance engine with a Holley is almost more satisfying than driving said vehicle.Once everything is running right,I find myself looking for another project to put a Holley on.Just had to add the last sentence.

And yes it is all in fun as everyone has an opinion.

Oct 13, 2012 | 03:19 PM

#22

Gary Lewis

FTE Legend

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 32,875

Likes: 48

From: Northeast, OK

Quote:

Originally Posted by big vann

And yes it is all in fun as everyone has an opinion.

Yes, given how much of a challenge that is it must feel really good when you finally get it working correctly.

Oct 15, 2012 | 01:00 PM

#23

big vann

Senior User

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 369

Likes: 2

From: BC Cana'duh

Challenge,ha ha,good one.Holleys go well with high lift cams,headers,free flowing exhaust and aftermarket intakes etc...All the things that make driving your truck that much more fun.Most engine mods require tuning.The more mods,the more tuning needed.Timing curves,air fuel ratios and even the darn C6 trans modulator all need adjusting.It's time consuming wether you run a Holley or a Edelbrock.The carb is just another part of engine tuning.Choosing the right carb depends on how far you want to go with the engine.IMO Holley makes a much more tunable carb if future mods are planned.