which carb do you guys prefer for more power

[Will]

Edelbrock.

I can never get a holley to stay in tune.

A carb doesn't have to stay in tune. It has to meter fuel. But I agree--Holleys stink compared to AFBs. I say AFB because Edlebrock has bought every damn thing but Holley and branded it an Edlebrock. An AFB-type Edlebrock is they way to go. I like an old double-pump with mechanical secondaries on an engine that needs it, but what engine needs that? Not something you want to drive and leave the hood closed between oil changes. You can find AFBs down to 400cfm used. The 600 will work fine out of the box for any V8 just about. I've used all of these extensively and I'll use a double-pump, no power valves, if I ever build a race motor, but for a street or offroad I'll buy an AFB. A vac-suck Holley does a bad job of anything.

 

[baddad457]

I've always run Holleys. I've NEVER had to "retune" one. I've touched my 6 pack setup once since I first tuned it 5 years ago, and it was only because after adding carb spacers under em, I felt the need to richen the mixture slightly (2 jet sizes all around) The 570 SA in my Ranger runs and acts exactly like it's got EFI. The 3 year old spark plugs still look like new on the cylinder ends. If you feel the need to tinker with a Holley because it's "out of tune" then you're barking up the wrong tree. It's the ignition causing that feeling. Feed it clean, quality fuel and it'll run for years without touching it. Thru all kinds of weather.

 

[fordmike1]

I've always run Holleys. I've NEVER had to "retune" one. I've touched my 6 pack setup once since I first tuned it 5 years ago, and it was only because after adding carb spacers under em, I felt the need to richen the mixture slightly (2 jet sizes all around) The 570 SA in my Ranger runs and acts exactly like it's got EFI. The 3 year old spark plugs still look like new on the cylinder ends. If you feel the need to tinker with a Holley because it's "out of tune" then you're barking up the wrong tree. It's the ignition causing that feeling. Feed it clean, quality fuel and it'll run for years without touching it. Thru all kinds of weather.

X2

 

[RangerFabWorks]

so im reviving my old thread.

im having some problems with my edelbrock. its a 1406 600 cfm electric choke.

ive had it for about 3 years. i took it apart and cleaned it all out before i put it on the ranger.

after a week of driving, it wont idle right, and it was bogging down when you step on the gas. ive tried messing with the timing, and adjusting it, but ive had this problem on the other engine it was on.

so now im looking at a holley 600 cfm carb, because i get a discount at advance auto, and there 269 right now.

what do you guys think? will this add a little more power? better economy?

 

[flaminranger]

I run holley on my car with a built 302 and I have had to tune it but it was easy.
I tried a edelbrock and the car never ran good. I was told I didn't have enough vacuum @ idle so it wouldn't idle good thats when I put on a holley 3310(750) and it runs great now.
2 cents

 

[bearsrngr]

I guess I like both, but for reliability on a D/D I'd take the AFB. The Holleys are good runners but do require a touch more maintinence. For those that put a vehicle in storage for the winter with a Holley you better plan on replacing the dried up shrunken gaskets in the spring. With the AFB just fill the bowels, pump it a few times and it's running.

 

[baddad457]

I guess I like both, but for reliability on a D/D I'd take the AFB. The Holleys are good runners but do require a touch more maintinence. For those that put a vehicle in storage for the winter with a Holley you better plan on replacing the dried up shrunken gaskets in the spring. With the AFB just fill the bowels, pump it a few times and it's running.

I see you haven't had a Holley in quite some time. They need no maintenence, other than clean fuel & filters. And the gaskets they've used for at least the last ten years don't shrink.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

Ok Holley ftw. I'll try it. Even if it did need tuning once in a while I don't mind. That's the whole point of owning an old car.

 

[baddad457]

The tuning was due to running em with a points ignition. It was the points all along, not the carb's fault. That's where running multiple carbs got such a bad rep.

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

The Eddy 600 i have on my 351 runs good, and you can pick them up for $100 on ebay all day long.
When I get time i will rebuild the Holley that came on the new motor and the Eddy will come off.
If I can tune 2 650's to run together one should not be a problem lol!

I do like the Eddys because used they can be blown out,cleaned up and slapped on but IMO cant out perform a Holley.

 

[The_Dealer]

had an edelbrock avs truck carb on my 350/383 in the jeep easy to tune, had no major problems. although alot of side to side rocking back and forth at a decent crawl pace it would starve somewhat. for the street it was awesome. holley TA is good too, but holleys are a pita to get tuned right

 

[doorgunner]

Had to take the power valve outta my Holley....since I didn't go with a "bigger" cam, the 350 is blowing black smoke-rings outta the dual Harley mufflers>>>>waaaaaaaahahahahahhahaaaaaaa.......


took out the valve & plugged the hole.......no more smoke rings.....sounds a lot crisper going thru the gears.........

 

[fordmike1]

The Weber/Edelbrock carbs are for guys who have no clue on how to put on a carb and get it dialed in for their engine correctly. The Holley's are for the guys that want the power, performance, reliability & fuel milage all in one carb. I bought a 79 Mustang coupe that had a Weber/Edeljunk on it and it ran ok and took it off bolted on a Holley 600 vac, sec, and holly cow the power and throttle responce was great. Now to be fair I did try to dial in the Weber/Edeljunk and like I said it ran ok but it couldnt, wouldnt and never will ever match what a Holley could do. I took that Weber/Edeljunk carb which was new and thru it up in the air as high as I could to watch it smash on the ground and did that a few times and then my mini sledge finished it off. I didnt want any one else to ever have to deal with such a POS carb so I made sure they couldnt use it. Edelbrock makes some very nice products and their quality is very nice but I just cant figure out why they would put their name on such a POS and give them selfs a black eye like that. The only thing better then a Holley carb is EFI and that is becuse way to many guy can't tune a Holley in so they should stay away from carbs all together.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

well i do know how to tune a carb so ill be giving the holley a whirl.

thanks guys

 

[Mac]

Holley three barrel? Just for you old timers who might remember! No opion myself but had good luck with all the Holleys.
Dave