Holley Carb Questions

[Airmapper]

I may have an opportunity to get what has been described to me as a Holley Carb from the factory "at cost." Of course I'm a little skeptical still, but what I think the deal is employees can buy them at cost and this would just be they buy one and I pay them what it cost them.

For those of you who don't happen to know where the Holley factory is, it's here in my stomping grounds, Bowling Green, KY and I pass by it often. If anything pride in using a locally made product is what has me thinking on getting a Holley, and the fact that I've heard favorable things about them for off road.

So my question is, if I were to entertain the offer, what Holley Carb would be the best to get? I'm assuming a Truck Avenger is what I want, the off road carb, but as far as technical details I'm not sure what cfm I would need and other specifics for my 302, which is mostly stock but I'm not positive.

I currently have a Edelbrock 1406 (600cfm) that came with my Bronco. I don't dislike it, but I have no special fondness for it either. I just put a fresh rebuild kit in it, and wouldn't be opposed to selling it to potentially upgrade to the Holley.

I do have a add on intake. It is Weiand brand, which I believe is Holley brand under a different label. I also do not know anything about my cams and if they are original or not. The '70 is still quite new to me. I also wonder about my air filter height, it is just an inch or so below my hood bubble, so if the Holley is taller than the Edlebrock that could be an issue.

Any input would be appreciated, I can try to get more specific info on my Bronco if needed as well.

 

[Airmapper]

Oh one more thing, I do want to drive on the road with this Bronco. I'm going for balanced on and off road ability, so if a carb like the Truck Avenger is overkill I'd like to know that as well. Thanks!

 

[broncnaz]

If the price is right then I'd go with a holley TA. A 470 cfm would be my choice unless you plan on running high RPM's then I would consider the 670. the smaller CFM carb will give better throttle response than the larger carb. but really just about any 600 cfm or less 4v holley carb with side hung floats(model 4160) that are adjustable(some of there newer carbs dont have adjustable floats which is a draw back IMO) would be a good choice. As I've run just the standard holleys for many years with just minor mods(see my tech article) without issue.
I'd have to measure the holley vs the edelbrock heights I have both sitting in my shop right now. Can get you measurements in the morning if nobody else knows.
Really I'd get prices on several different carbs see if there pricing is any good.

 

[dave67fd]

Well, If your edelbrock carb is working fine, gives you good performance off road and good driveability on the road i wouldn't change a thing. Especially after you just did a rebuild kit.

If the edelbrock has served you well, leave it alone. If you can get a super deal on the Holley maybe go ahead and pick one up so you dont have to pass up a deal. If you can get the deal anytime then leave it alone until you feel you need a new one.

Research the truck avenger as im sure it will also provide good street driveability. You shouldn't need anything more than 600cfm with the 302. If you had an agressive cam i think you would know it so the 600 should be fine. Your basic 1850S with vacuum sec. should be adequate for your application unless your doing some serious hill climbing. I think the carb heights should be the same but can say for sure.

 

[thegreatjustino]

So my question is, if I were to entertain the offer, what Holley Carb would be the best to get?

Holley has a "what carb should I use" feature on their website:

http://www.holley.com/applications/CarburetorSelector/CarbSelection.asp

 

[SteveL]

I would stay with the edelbrock if it's working for you. I had nothing but trouble trying to get the holley right on my bronco.

 

[Gummi Bear]

The Edelbrock carb will do you fine so long as you stay on the road. Get on the trail, and it'll stall like crazy, no matter whether you do the "off road kit" in it or not.


If the Eddy isn't giving you trouble, and you're not looking at any difficult off road time in the near future, I'd pass up the deal, or maybe share it with a buddy that is in need of a new carb.


I'm not now, nor have I ever been a fan of Holley anything. Some folks love them; I think they make dandy trot line weights.

 

[Airmapper]

Thanks for the replies. I suspect whatever the savings are, it won't be worth going to the trouble of getting it and changing my setup, which I've really had no opportunity to use other than a few runs up and down the driveway.

Out of curiosity though I'll probably see how much for the Truck Avenger 470cfm. The Holley carb finder recommend some street 4 barrels, but that is what the Edelbrock is so not really changing anything there. I might ask the price for a few of those just to see if it is consistent.

Once again I appreciate the input, kinda reminded me to just keep working with what I've got. I have enough little things to fix without creating new ones.

 

[broncnaz]

Holley street carbs are better offroad than edlebrocks hands down. Most of the carbs they recommend are probably pretty close to dialed in so they should be pretty much a bolt on and go kind of deal. It would be less hassle bolting on a new carb than trying to modify that edelbrock. I've uesed bottom of the line holley universal 600 cfm carbs(basically there cheapest carbs) had to do a little tuning on some but otherwise they work pretty darn good offroad in stock form but you can do a few mods outlined in my tech article and make your self a real good carb without the TA cost.
I measured the hieghts of the holley and edelbrock carbs they are the same height from the base to the air cleaner mounting surface.

 

[SteveL]

guys who know holleys love em. To the rest of us they're a pita. I prefer something you can set up once and leave it alone. I would run the edelbrock til you have any issues. Then either go q-jet or efi.

 

[broncnaz]

There really isnt a carb out there you can set once and leave alone. they all need adjusting over time. I like holleys because I've messed with all the rest as well qjunks being the worst IMO along with edelbrocks being next. I had far less issues with holleys than anything else besides the 2100 carbs.