Help quick!!
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From: Middletown, CT
Help quick!!
Holley 390 ? List 3489-6: eBay Motors (item 380268914607 end time Sep-18-10 18:57:53 PDT)
I have been looking for a 390 for a while now at a decent price, and this looks pretty decent. I will be getting a new intake and exhaust set-up(efi), and a DUI set-up as well. The important things are, electric choke and ford kickdown I believe, right? Don't want to miss this deal if it's what I am looking for.
I have been looking for a 390 for a while now at a decent price, and this looks pretty decent. I will be getting a new intake and exhaust set-up(efi), and a DUI set-up as well. The important things are, electric choke and ford kickdown I believe, right? Don't want to miss this deal if it's what I am looking for.
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I have an 81 e100 300 cube with this carb on it, it does well
The main issue that can sink you on any used carb is throttle shaft wear, creating unwanted air leak and rough low speed running. This is a great carb for versatility in adjustments and options. Dont get too big on your jets and research your power valve selections. Don't be cheap or lazy with the rebuild, it is essential to get it clean and get fresh gaskets and o-rings in place. A new carb will cost you 350 to 500, so keep that in mind when bidding on used unknown stuff. 75 ain't bad for one.
The main issue that can sink you on any used carb is throttle shaft wear, creating unwanted air leak and rough low speed running. This is a great carb for versatility in adjustments and options. Dont get too big on your jets and research your power valve selections. Don't be cheap or lazy with the rebuild, it is essential to get it clean and get fresh gaskets and o-rings in place. A new carb will cost you 350 to 500, so keep that in mind when bidding on used unknown stuff. 75 ain't bad for one.
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From: Boise, Idaho
Looks like a good deal, but I'm not sure what a Holley 3489 is. All 390s that I know of are 8007s. Couldn't find any info on it on the internet either. Maybe he put the date code by accident?
Either way, it looks like a 390. And as Sixshooter pointed out, throttle shaft wear is a big issue on used carbs, as well as warped base plates. This is the biggest issue i've been facing over the last year with mine, until I figured it out.
Don't let that deter you though, since a brand new base plate from Holley, shipped, is $80. I just had one show up on my doorstep yesterday (looking forward to seeing how that goes). So, $75 for the body, $80 for an assuredly good baseplate, and $30 for a top end rebuild kit, and you have yourself a nice Holley 390 for $185. Not too bad.
All of them come with a kickdown, but I think you only have to get something special if you have the AOD. Can't remember, and don't know much about that since I have a manual. Might check up on Holley's site really quick.
Holley Performance Products 390 CFM Four Barrel Street Carburetor*0-8007
PS: If you decide on a new base plate, you have to call them and order it, it isn't listed on their site, or anyone else's, for sale.
Either way, it looks like a 390. And as Sixshooter pointed out, throttle shaft wear is a big issue on used carbs, as well as warped base plates. This is the biggest issue i've been facing over the last year with mine, until I figured it out.
Don't let that deter you though, since a brand new base plate from Holley, shipped, is $80. I just had one show up on my doorstep yesterday (looking forward to seeing how that goes). So, $75 for the body, $80 for an assuredly good baseplate, and $30 for a top end rebuild kit, and you have yourself a nice Holley 390 for $185. Not too bad.
All of them come with a kickdown, but I think you only have to get something special if you have the AOD. Can't remember, and don't know much about that since I have a manual. Might check up on Holley's site really quick.
Holley Performance Products 390 CFM Four Barrel Street Carburetor*0-8007
PS: If you decide on a new base plate, you have to call them and order it, it isn't listed on their site, or anyone else's, for sale.
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From: Middletown, CT
Carb Purchased. Thanks for the help AB. I was hoping you might drop by. Thank you for the input also sixshooter. Much abliged!
89.77 after shipping. Not too shabby considering I haven't found one under 250 used. Now onto the intake manifold(offy dp I think). From what I have been reading the Offy dp, and then some efi exhaust manifolds are the way to go. EFI's are cheap enough to find, but the dp could be a little trickier. Average around 250 I believe, pre-shipping.
89.77 after shipping. Not too shabby considering I haven't found one under 250 used. Now onto the intake manifold(offy dp I think). From what I have been reading the Offy dp, and then some efi exhaust manifolds are the way to go. EFI's are cheap enough to find, but the dp could be a little trickier. Average around 250 I believe, pre-shipping.
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From: Boise, Idaho
Glad to help. 
Hopefully it works out for you.
My recommendation before installing it is to get yourself a really good straight edge and check the base plate for any warpage. Place the straight edge on opposing tabs (criss-cross) to check for curled tabs, etc.
Then, wobble the throttle shaft up and down and check for play. If either are questionable, definitely just replace the baseplate with a brand new one from Holley before installing. You'll be glad you did, and still come out on top as far as cost.
EFI manifolds are definitely easy to find, I think the local JY here wants $40 for the pair. They're just a pain to remove from the donor vehicle. Those EFI's have SO MUCH stuff in the way. If not, they're easy to find on EBay too.
Keep checking EBay for the DP too, or Craigslist. Sometimes you'll get lucky on there. I got my DP with a 390 bolted to it, with an air cleaner and K&N filter for $300. Just gotta keep your eyes open.
Hopefully it works out for you.My recommendation before installing it is to get yourself a really good straight edge and check the base plate for any warpage. Place the straight edge on opposing tabs (criss-cross) to check for curled tabs, etc.
Then, wobble the throttle shaft up and down and check for play. If either are questionable, definitely just replace the baseplate with a brand new one from Holley before installing. You'll be glad you did, and still come out on top as far as cost.
EFI manifolds are definitely easy to find, I think the local JY here wants $40 for the pair. They're just a pain to remove from the donor vehicle. Those EFI's have SO MUCH stuff in the way. If not, they're easy to find on EBay too.
Keep checking EBay for the DP too, or Craigslist. Sometimes you'll get lucky on there. I got my DP with a 390 bolted to it, with an air cleaner and K&N filter for $300. Just gotta keep your eyes open.
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From: Middletown, CT
I believe we call that a "jackpot" situation! That is a nice find. I always keep my eyes open for deals on that stuff. I haven't had a problem finding new EFI exhaust manifolds for under $100 a pair. I am a pretty good shopper for deals. It rarely fails however that you find exactly what you are looking for just after buying a similar part for slightly more expensive.
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Hah, that's very true. That's why I've learned to stop looking after I've purchased what I wanted. There may be a better deal I missed out on, but at least I don't know about it. 
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From: Boise, Idaho
Not necessarily,
The intake and exhaust manifolds are interchangeable between the carb and EFI engines since the blocks and bolt holes are the same.
It's popular to put exhaust manifolds from an EFI engine onto a carb'd engine because of the gains in exhaust flow.
It is also possible to put a carb'd intake onto an EFI engine and convert the engine to carbureted, but you'd need a carb designated intake manifold (exhaust can stay the same.)
The intake and exhaust manifolds are interchangeable between the carb and EFI engines since the blocks and bolt holes are the same.
It's popular to put exhaust manifolds from an EFI engine onto a carb'd engine because of the gains in exhaust flow.
It is also possible to put a carb'd intake onto an EFI engine and convert the engine to carbureted, but you'd need a carb designated intake manifold (exhaust can stay the same.)
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From: Middletown, CT
We are referring to the EFI EXHAUST manifolds. The EFI exhaust manifolds flow much better than the stock log-style exhaust manifold found on the carbureted 300's. Obviously there are guys on here that can explain all the details, but that's the basics of it.
Edit: Sorry AB, didn't see you had already answered.
Edit: Sorry AB, didn't see you had already answered.
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Postmaster
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From: Middletown, CT
Hey AB, how does your exhaust sound with the set-up you have? Any sound clips? I have heard it is tough to get a decent sound out of I6's. Obviously not going to get an 8 sound out of a 6.
No