OK so I'm wanting to replace my Holley 4180 4bbl on my 84 f150 351. I'm looking to get another Holley but I was wondering if I should try a edlebrock? I have a Holley 4160 on my 79' 460 and was thinking of going with another 4160 or should I go with an edlebrock or does anybody have another brand carb that they'd recommend?

 

I would stick with the 4180. It is a great carburetor. Even better than the 4160.

WHY do you want to change it?

 

Its been giving me a lot of trouble. The fast idle won't engage when it's cold and if I put my foot in it from a stand still it stumbles and coughs and chokes out and tries to die and its been causing the engine to like speed up then down really quick then speed up and slow down real quick again if I go over 65 and it caused black smoke to come out of the tail pipe for a few minutes. I tried to rebuild the 4180 that I replaced on my 79' but it ended horriblely and I had nothing to drive for several weeks till I got my 4160 put on. I really do not like the fact that I can't adjust the idle/air mixture if I have to on the 4180. I'm pretty happy with the 4160 on my 79' 460 and the way it performs and the throttle response compared to the old 4180 which is why I want to replace the one on my 351

 

I'm not a Holley fan. Put an Edelbrock 1406 on it and you won't regret it.

 

Any mods to go from Holley to edlebrock? Or is it pretty much plug and play so to speak? Do you know anything about demon carbs?

 

I don't think it is hard to go to the Eddy when using the stock manifold, but I think you will have to keep the original EGR spacer or you'll have an exhaust leak. And, I think you have to buy a stud from the parts store and screw it in a hole for the linkage to snap onto.

Demons? I have a new Street Demon but haven't installed it yet. It is destined for Dad's truck and that isn't ready. But, I've read really good things about them.

 

I may go with a edlebrock so I can compare and see which i like better holley or eblebrock. I haven't made up my mind yet i just know that i want rid of the crappy wornout Carb that's on it now

I'd like to know how the demon performs when you get it put on.

 

From a scale of 1 to 10 my luck with Holley carbs is 0. When they start having problems, all of the replacement parts in the world would not help. Its the only brand of carb I could never get working correctly, ever. I am referring to the 2100 and 4100 series carbs.

Edlebrock has been plug and play for me. Even junked out ones could be brought back to life.

My biggest complaint about Holleys is the float bowls always leak, no matter what you have done to prevent that. Every one of them that has been sitting for any length of time has gas residue around base of carb and even puddles on manifold.

I wish I had met someone that was proficient with Holleys back when carbs were the way to go.

They also have way too many adjustments for most mortals to comprehend.

This is just my personal experience with them. Your results may vary. Void where prohibited.

 

I am just the opposite. I like the Holleys. If you have one and it has given you good service, then get another one just like it. I run the #1850 600 cfm 4160 and have it on several vehicles. And have been known to swap them around when I have a problem and want to know if it's the carb or not.

 

It might be a little off topic, but you guys should look up Fitech Fuel injection. FiTech Fuel Injection It is more than double the cost of a carb set up. I have a guy at work who put it on a Chevy and loves it. I like the idea of better mpg, and response. Carlos still has the stock 2bbl and intake, but I am currently looking to see which route to go with. I like Garry's suggestion on the Edelbrock 1406. I have my setup narrowed down to a Edelbrock 7121 intake and a 1406 carb.

 

If you go with an aftermarket intake that will place the carb differently and you will have to do something with the throttle cable bracket to reposition it. Edelbrock sells a flimsy thing to do the job, but I don't like it and wouldn't run it. I cut the bracket in two, repositioned it, and welded it up with a spacer.

However, I wouldn't change the intake if I were you. The Eddy is better, but not enough to make it worth it IMHO. Stay with the stock manifold and you won't have the throttle problems.

 

So you would suggest just changing out the carb?

 

Will the Eddy bolt up to the stock intake?

 

I may go with another 4160 sence I'm already familier with the set up and I already know what to expect from it I haven't decided yet.

I read somewhere that Eddy's ain't as good as Holleys for off road and inclines. Any truth to that?

 

I have also had good sevice out of Holley carbs. They are easy to adjust and most of
the leakage problems are from the old type gaskets and overtighting the bowl gasket
screws which over time will warp the sealing sevice.

I run a 4180 on my truck and like it. It gives good service and is trouble free if you
take care of it.