Holley or Edelbrock Carb?
12-14-2005, 05:15 AM
#21
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Marquette Mi
Posts: 3,566
RE: Holley or Edelbrock Carb?
I have a Demon 850 on the GTO, only carb that would idle well and run decent with the 19 in vacuum that engine makes. I doubt you would have that problem on yours. I like the Demon carbs, well built and not too tough to work on. I havent touched it in 4 years, still works great. That particular carb is way to big for your engine, nothing bigger than 650 IMO.
I have an Edelbrock 750 on my 72 Formula, it idles like crap, runs like crap, and is annoying to me at best. Its not really the carbs fault, I havent touched it since I bought the car earlier this year. The previous owner is not a mechanic, so there is alot not quite right on it. Edelbrock is a copy of the Carter AFB or AVS carb. They do have jets, and also meetering rods, swaping those two around changes the fuel curve. Its not tough to do, but neither is a Holley, the chances of dropping a screw into a Carter/Edelbrock is alot higher than with a Holley. Not a bad carb for a stock type small block, especially with an electric choke. Box stock 650 would work well for you.
Holleys are easy to tune, but there is more adjustability to them. Setting the float level is vastly easier with a Holley compared to Carter Edelbrock. Only takes a 5/8 wrench and a screwdriver. Float level is the problem most people have with Holleys. Too high and it will burn your eyes at every stoplight and get horrible mileage. Too low and it will stumble and buck when you crack the throttle. As far as building and modifying carbs, Holley is the easiest to mod and make more power. Its a very forgiving design as far as power production is concerned, in respect to too large or too small.
I have found most people just dont know much about carbs or how they work, let alone how to tune them well. One thing is for sure, a Holley will get the worst mileage out of the box, and the Carter will make the least power box stock. Learning how to set each of them up is the fun part, and if you think you are really good, try a Quadrajet or Thermoquad.
I recomend a Demon 650 vac Secondary, its a bit more money, but you will enjoy it alot more. Quality workmanship on them.
I have an Edelbrock 750 on my 72 Formula, it idles like crap, runs like crap, and is annoying to me at best. Its not really the carbs fault, I havent touched it since I bought the car earlier this year. The previous owner is not a mechanic, so there is alot not quite right on it. Edelbrock is a copy of the Carter AFB or AVS carb. They do have jets, and also meetering rods, swaping those two around changes the fuel curve. Its not tough to do, but neither is a Holley, the chances of dropping a screw into a Carter/Edelbrock is alot higher than with a Holley. Not a bad carb for a stock type small block, especially with an electric choke. Box stock 650 would work well for you.
Holleys are easy to tune, but there is more adjustability to them. Setting the float level is vastly easier with a Holley compared to Carter Edelbrock. Only takes a 5/8 wrench and a screwdriver. Float level is the problem most people have with Holleys. Too high and it will burn your eyes at every stoplight and get horrible mileage. Too low and it will stumble and buck when you crack the throttle. As far as building and modifying carbs, Holley is the easiest to mod and make more power. Its a very forgiving design as far as power production is concerned, in respect to too large or too small.
I have found most people just dont know much about carbs or how they work, let alone how to tune them well. One thing is for sure, a Holley will get the worst mileage out of the box, and the Carter will make the least power box stock. Learning how to set each of them up is the fun part, and if you think you are really good, try a Quadrajet or Thermoquad.
I recomend a Demon 650 vac Secondary, its a bit more money, but you will enjoy it alot more. Quality workmanship on them.
12-14-2005, 01:43 PM
#22
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location:
Posts: 163
RE: Holley or Edelbrock Carb?
ORIGINAL: THUMPIN455
I have a Demon 850 on the GTO, only carb that would idle well and run decent with the 19 in vacuum that engine makes. I doubt you would have that problem on yours. I like the Demon carbs, well built and not too tough to work on. I havent touched it in 4 years, still works great. That particular carb is way to big for your engine, nothing bigger than 650 IMO.
I recomend a Demon 650 vac Secondary, its a bit more money, but you will enjoy it alot more. Quality workmanship on them.
I have a Demon 850 on the GTO, only carb that would idle well and run decent with the 19 in vacuum that engine makes. I doubt you would have that problem on yours. I like the Demon carbs, well built and not too tough to work on. I havent touched it in 4 years, still works great. That particular carb is way to big for your engine, nothing bigger than 650 IMO.
I recomend a Demon 650 vac Secondary, its a bit more money, but you will enjoy it alot more. Quality workmanship on them.
Holley ----> http://www.holley.com/types.asp?type=7
Demon ---> http://www.lonestarracing.com/cgi-bi...ml?id=MW34syej
12-14-2005, 07:56 PM
#23
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location:
Posts: 1,841
RE: Holley or Edelbrock Carb?
you were a little late on that one Clutch! I got a 4160.[
] i wont have to change the jets often right?[:@]
] i wont have to change the jets often right?[:@]
ORIGINAL: lClutchl
Edelbrock is by far easier to tune. Tuning doesn't require you to pull any part that is below the fuel level of the carb, so no mess. Instead of jets you put rods and springs in to meter the fuel. Access to them is via to openings in the TOP of the carb.
I switched over from a Holley 4160 that was a major PITA to tune. Every time you needed to change the jets, you had to pull the carb, empty the fuel bowl, and take 60% of the thing apart to get at them. Not to mention that the carb was only 6 months old and already leaking heavily thru the throttlebody rods.
The Edelbrock has a nice little 5 page set of tuning instructions... The Holley has a document that heavly refers to other documents, some of which recommend taking a drill and poping holes in the butterflys to get a proper tune out of them.
For performance go Holley, but for reliability and daily driving the Edelbrock wins hands down.
Edelbrock is by far easier to tune. Tuning doesn't require you to pull any part that is below the fuel level of the carb, so no mess. Instead of jets you put rods and springs in to meter the fuel. Access to them is via to openings in the TOP of the carb.
I switched over from a Holley 4160 that was a major PITA to tune. Every time you needed to change the jets, you had to pull the carb, empty the fuel bowl, and take 60% of the thing apart to get at them. Not to mention that the carb was only 6 months old and already leaking heavily thru the throttlebody rods.
The Edelbrock has a nice little 5 page set of tuning instructions... The Holley has a document that heavly refers to other documents, some of which recommend taking a drill and poping holes in the butterflys to get a proper tune out of them.
For performance go Holley, but for reliability and daily driving the Edelbrock wins hands down.
12-15-2005, 10:40 PM
#24
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Arizona
Posts: 4,103
RE: Holley or Edelbrock Carb?
I DID NOT vote, several reasons for that.......
1) What are you goung to use the car for?
2) What size is the motor?
3) Any mods on motor?
Need some info to do anything with this post. I've had both Holley and Carter AFB's (Edelbrock) over the years and both can be made to work great.......
BTW, why are you guys with the Holley 4150/4160 carbs changing jets "all the time?'
1) What are you goung to use the car for?
2) What size is the motor?
3) Any mods on motor?
Need some info to do anything with this post. I've had both Holley and Carter AFB's (Edelbrock) over the years and both can be made to work great.......
BTW, why are you guys with the Holley 4150/4160 carbs changing jets "all the time?'
12-15-2005, 11:13 PM
#25
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location:
Posts: 576
RE: Holley or Edelbrock Carb?
ORIGINAL: 347 stang
I have no experiance with Edelbrock heard just rumers that they are a pain in the *** to tune and keep tunned.
I have no experiance with Edelbrock heard just rumers that they are a pain in the *** to tune and keep tunned.
Most Edelbrocks are perfect right out of the box and require no tuning.
Bolt one on and go!
I've been running a 600 cfm for many years now.
Trouble-free, better gas mileage, smoother idle, and quicker off the line - right outa the box.
12-15-2005, 11:20 PM
#26
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location:
Posts: 576
RE: Holley or Edelbrock Carb?
ORIGINAL: Dan66Stang
What specific carb would you guys recommend? I really dont know what size to get.
What specific carb would you guys recommend? I really dont know what size to get.
And I have never heard such negative feedback about Edelbrocks. They're bulletproof and reliable. If you go with a Holley, I'm willing to bet you change to an Edelbrock within the first year. Take it from someone that's been there...
12-15-2005, 11:53 PM
#27
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Waterford, MI
Posts: 515
RE: Holley or Edelbrock Carb?
ORIGINAL: tylerdru
you were a little late on that one Clutch! I got a 4160.[] i wont have to change the jets often right?[:@]
you were a little late on that one Clutch! I got a 4160.[
] i wont have to change the jets often right?[:@]
ORIGINAL: lClutchl
Edelbrock is by far easier to tune. Tuning doesn't require you to pull any part that is below the fuel level of the carb, so no mess. Instead of jets you put rods and springs in to meter the fuel. Access to them is via to openings in the TOP of the carb.
I switched over from a Holley 4160 that was a major PITA to tune. Every time you needed to change the jets, you had to pull the carb, empty the fuel bowl, and take 60% of the thing apart to get at them. Not to mention that the carb was only 6 months old and already leaking heavily thru the throttlebody rods.
The Edelbrock has a nice little 5 page set of tuning instructions... The Holley has a document that heavly refers to other documents, some of which recommend taking a drill and poping holes in the butterflys to get a proper tune out of them.
For performance go Holley, but for reliability and daily driving the Edelbrock wins hands down.
Edelbrock is by far easier to tune. Tuning doesn't require you to pull any part that is below the fuel level of the carb, so no mess. Instead of jets you put rods and springs in to meter the fuel. Access to them is via to openings in the TOP of the carb.
I switched over from a Holley 4160 that was a major PITA to tune. Every time you needed to change the jets, you had to pull the carb, empty the fuel bowl, and take 60% of the thing apart to get at them. Not to mention that the carb was only 6 months old and already leaking heavily thru the throttlebody rods.
The Edelbrock has a nice little 5 page set of tuning instructions... The Holley has a document that heavly refers to other documents, some of which recommend taking a drill and poping holes in the butterflys to get a proper tune out of them.
For performance go Holley, but for reliability and daily driving the Edelbrock wins hands down.
Sorry tyler, No, I was doing some tuning to get the car running good on the dragstrip when I got fed up with it. The main reason I pulled it was because it was leaking on my intake. I switched because I was frustrated. I had to drill out the butterflys because I'm running a monster cam and it doesn't have the greatest vaccuum at idle.
You're 4160 will serve you well. Just make sure you actually set the carb up for the car. If you just bolted it on the intake right out of the box I'll guarantee it's nowhere near tuned right. Order a jet kit and download the basic instructions on tuning the carb. Follow them and you'll be fine.
12-16-2005, 12:35 AM
#29
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location:
Posts: 163
RE: Holley or Edelbrock Carb?
Well I just don't know what I'm gonna do. The Holley I was looking at is said to be street ready out of the box, all you have to do is adjust 2 things then thats it. They have that in a 570 CFM, which is what my mechanic recommended earlier today. Then theres the Edelbrock supporters. I've heard even support for both between people on here and other people I have talked to. I think Im gonna go w/ the Holley, idk, I'm gonna do some more research...
12-16-2005, 01:25 AM
#30
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 6
RE: Holley or Edelbrock Carb?
i put the street avenger 670 on my 351C..and it is a great carb...easy to get the mixes for winter or summer...
electric choke is nice...didnt have that when i was running the orginial carb...but i agree with the other that your thinking to big...
IIRC the 351 came with a 650 so i uped it a bit to 670 for the cam and other goodies i plan to toss in...
i am def. a supporter of the holley but i have been so satisfied with this one i had no reason to try anything else
electric choke is nice...didnt have that when i was running the orginial carb...but i agree with the other that your thinking to big...
IIRC the 351 came with a 650 so i uped it a bit to 670 for the cam and other goodies i plan to toss in...
i am def. a supporter of the holley but i have been so satisfied with this one i had no reason to try anything else