Hey gear heads, which carburetor?

[HotRod82]

My uncles 57 GMC needs a new 4bbl carb. The truck is completely stock with a 347 Pontiac BB, so I don't need anything performance oriented. Just need a smooth running 600 with a manual choke. Thoughts? Experiences? Edelbrock, Holley? or ??? Thanks ..

 

[coolchange]

Sniper efi Holley
Bla bla bla thought I’d beat them to it.
Why does it need a new one? Throttle shafts worn out?

 

[Shlbyntro]

My uncles 57 GMC needs a new 4bbl carb. The truck is completely stock with a 347 Pontiac BB, so I don't need anything performance oriented. Just need a smooth running 600 with a manual choke. Thoughts? Experiences? Edelbrock, Holley? or ??? Thanks ..

Any are good really. I have a quickfuel on my Fairlane that does really well. its a Holley style carb, owned by Holley, billet metering blocks, and half the price of a Holley

 

[rrrr]

A good mix of performance and value are the Holley factory refurbished carburetors. This 600 CFM carb has vacuum secondaries, which will provide a true bolt on solution with the best drivability manners. It's $279, about half the cost of new.

It's not the manual choke model, but a conversation with their online customer support will point you to one that has it. Your uncle could also install the electric choke model and convert the choke pull handle on the dash to an ejection seat initiator.



Stand by for someone to recommend EFI or a 750 CFM double pumper.

Holley FR-80451 Holley 0-80451 600CFM Factory Refurbished Emission Legal Replacement Carb

This is an official Holley Performance Factory Refurbished Carburetor.

www.holley.com

 

[Shlbyntro]

A good mix of performance and value are the Holley factory refurbished carburetors. This 600 CFM carb has vacuum secondaries, which will provide a true bolt on solution with the best drivability manners.

Stand by for someone to recommend EFI or a 750 CFM double pumper.

Holley FR-80451 Holley 0-80451 600CFM Factory Refurbished Emission Legal Replacement Carb

This is an official Holley Performance Factory Refurbished Carburetor.

www.holley.com

first response!

heres what I have. looks like they bumped the price since I bught it a little while ago.

fst has had good reviews lately too

 

[coolchange]

Rochester? AFB? Carter?
Bolt patterns

 

[77charger]

Hard to beat a simple Holley.

 

[rivermobster]

My uncles 57 GMC needs a new 4bbl carb. The truck is completely stock with a 347 Pontiac BB, so I don't need anything performance oriented. Just need a smooth running 600 with a manual choke. Thoughts? Experiences? Edelbrock, Holley? or ??? Thanks ..

The new edelbrocks are solid. Probably be my first choice for this application.

Holly? Pass. Go with Quick Fuel if you want that style of carb, but it will probably be a Lot more money.

Is this a spreadbore manifold by any chance??

 

[mjc]

I went with a Quick fuel for the last one I bought. I like the Edelbrocks but the accelerator pumps kept drying out from the gas. QF i could take a bowl screw out and drain gas if car was going to sit awhile.

 

[bonesfab]

if it is just a cruiser, put a 1406 edelbrock on it and leave it alone. Don't waste time or money on a sniper.

 

[HotRod82]

Sniper efi Holley
Bla bla bla thought I’d beat them to it.
Why does it need a new one? Throttle shafts worn out?

Currently has a 50ish year old Holley on it, it's leaky and temperamental. Thought it would be easier to start new to improve it's drivability, also adding an electronic distributor.

 

[HotRod82]

The new edelbrocks are solid. Probably be my first choice for this application.

Holly? Pass. Go with Quick Fuel if you want that style of carb, but it will probably be a Lot more money.

Is this a spreadbore manifold by any chance??

yes, spread bore.

 

[rivermobster]

yes, spread bore.

From a quick Google search it looks like Only Holly makes a direct bolt on replacement.

You'll need to add an adapter plate to run a square bore carb on a spreadbore intake.

Not a big deal really, just check the fitment Very carefully. Not all adaptor plates fit correctly!

You might have some linkage issues as well with the adapter plate, but nothing that can't be overcome. You'll have to use a different fuel feed set up as well. You probably have a solid steel line at the moment?

 

[Bigbore500r]

I'll be the 8th person to recommend......

Get a new 650 vacuum secondary holly or equivalent 4150 style.
Adapter from square to spread bore.

Edelbrock or Carter AFB 600 are reliable but good luck with that awesome hiccup at throttle tip-in......
I'm not a fan of them, never have been. Like for Like cfm VS 4150 style carbs, they don't make the same power either. All CFM's are not created equal......despite saying they are the same cfm.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Edelbrock, ran those for years on anything I had the used a gas passer.

 

[rrrr]

I'll be the 8th person to recommend......

Get a new 650 vacuum secondary holly or equivalent 4150 style.
Adapter from square to spread bore.

Edelbrock or Carter AFB 600 are reliable but good luck with that awesome hiccup at throttle tip-in......
I'm not a fan of them, never have been. Like for Like cfm VS 4150 style carbs, they don't make the same power either. All CFM's are not created equal......despite saying they are the same cfm.

Some people swear the AFB (that's an acronym for aluminum four barrel, first used in the 1950s) is a better carb and easier to tune. I disagree. Dealing with both metering rods and jet opening sizes of the AFB style, it's possible to spend money and time chasing drivability issues that will never be fully resolved.

The Holley 4160 series carbs are dead nuts simple. Adjustments to tip in and fuel flow are straightforward and easily accomplished. There are volumes of user generated tech tips and performance.studies on the internet. I run a Holley squarebore 4160 style carb on the 352 cubic inch FE in my 1966 Ford F-100. Dialing it in and maintaining good performance was easy.

 

[jetboatperformance]

if it is just a cruiser, put a 1406 edelbrock on it and leave it alone. Don't waste time or money on a sniper.

This ^^^^^^ I dont Use EDe's for boats but they are sufficiant for door slammers , I probably got a half dozen kicking around here if you need one (we use them for wheel chocks) (JK)

 

[rivermobster]

I'll be the 8th person to recommend......

Get a new 650 vacuum secondary holly or equivalent 4150 style.
Adapter from square to spread bore.

Edelbrock or Carter AFB 600 are reliable but good luck with that awesome hiccup at throttle tip-in......
I'm not a fan of them, never have been. Like for Like cfm VS 4150 style carbs, they don't make the same power either. All CFM's are not created equal......despite saying they are the same cfm.

They Definitely take more effort (and experience) to tune than a Holley.

I'm going say the QFT carbs have the Best out of the box drivability hands down. They just freaking work.

 

[spectra3279]

Hell, any of them would be a good choice. As stated if using an adapter plate you may need to do some work on the throttle linkage. Wouldn't be hard to convert to an electric choke either

 

[HotRod82]

Thanks for all the input guys. I haven't bought a new carb in decades which is why I threw the question out there. Honestly sounds like nothing has changed much. I'm trying to sell my uncles's 57 for him, it needs to be cleaned up a bit and get it running a little better. Now, it's one of those old rigs you have to know it to be able to drive it. Starts a certain way, runs like total shit until it's warmed up, has a hesitation here or there depending on how you shift it, etc. etc. I'm hoping a new carb, ignition, and a full tune up will smooth it out a bit and make it more attractive to potential buyers. Now all I need is to find the time to actually work on it.

 

[MK1MOD0]

I had two Edelbrocks over the last ten years. One was on a 65 Caddie, the other on a hot rod. Both would boil the fuel out of the carbs after a drive, and flood the motor. It’s a known issue. Yea people say run a phenolic spacer..... I just ran a new carb. Stick to a small Holley and be done with it.

 

[Bigbore500r]

They Definitely take more effort (and experience) to tune than a Holley.

I'm going say the QFT carbs have the Best out of the box drivability hands down. They just freaking work.

By effort / experience you mean - “learn to Drive around the flat spot”

 

[Bigbore500r]

I had two Edelbrocks over the last ten years. One was on a 65 Caddie, the other on a hot rod. Both would boil the fuel out of the carbs after a drive, and flood the motor. It’s a known issue. Yea people say run a phenolic spacer..... I just ran a new carb. Stick to a small Holley and be done with it.

Yes!

 

[rivermobster]

By effort / experience you mean - “learn to Drive around the flat spot”

Well if you don't know how to tune a carb properly, I suppose the answer to your question would be "yes".

 

[Bigbore500r]

Some people swear the AFB (that's an acronym for aluminum four barrel, first used in the 1950s) is a better carb and easier to tune. I disagree. Dealing with both metering rods and jet opening sizes of the AFB style, it's possible to spend money and time chasing drivability issues that will never be fully resolved.

The Holley 4160 series carbs are dead nuts simple. Adjustments to tip in and fuel flow are straightforward and easily accomplished. There are volumes of user generated tech tips and performance.studies on the internet. I run a Holley squarebore 4160 style carb on the 352 cubic inch FE in my 1966 Ford F-100. Dialing it in and maintaining good performance was easy.

I thought AFB stood for - “Always fuckin boggin”
The 3-1 kickdown is something you just need patience for…..the deceleration while you wait for it to snap back to life as it gasps for lack of pump shot also gives you a false sense of acceleration as it picks back up

 

[Bigbore500r]

Well if you don't know how to tune a carb properly, I suppose the answer to your question would be "yes".

Show me your boxes of AFB metering rods. I’ll wait…..

 

[rivermobster]

Show me your boxes of AFB metering rods. I’ll wait…..

I had a whole tool box full of just carb parts I put together at JMS. You name it, we had it. For any carb you can think of.

I also built a bitchin carb rebuild table out of white Corian. Routered in a nice drip grove all around the edge. Nice bright lights just above it.

The tool box and bench sits right outside the Dyno room still...

Beings I'm retired, I can't just walk over there and get pics, just to pacify You!

 

[rivermobster]

I built this car for a member on here back in 2013. Zero driveability issues. Haven't talked to him for a couple months now, but I'm pretty sure it's still running perfect today.

 

[coolchange]

Show me your boxes of AFB metering rods. I’ll wait…..

How long will you wait? They’re in the box with QJ rods. Pretty sure my brother has them. FACTORY variable taper, robbed from all the carbs in pic your part. You know waayyyy back when they had that sort of thing.

 

[boatdoc55]

The new edelbrocks are solid. Probably be my first choice for this application.

Holly? Pass. Go with Quick Fuel if you want that style of carb, but it will probably be a Lot more money.

Is this a spreadbore manifold by any chance??

Edelbrock 100%. I put a slew of them on Volvo Pentas back in the day and never had a problem. The first thing I'd do with a Holly is throw it in the trash unless less it was a pair of 660 center squirters!!!!!

 

[rivermobster]

How long will you wait? They’re in the box with QJ rods. Pretty sure my brother has them. FACTORY variable taper, robbed from all the carbs in pic your part. You know waayyyy back when they had that sort of thing.

Or you can just go buy em...

Edelbrock 1489 Edelbrock Performer Series Carburetor Calibration Kits | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Edelbrock Performer Series Carburetor Calibration Kits with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Carburetor Calibration Kits at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[coolchange]

Or you can just go buy em...

Edelbrock 1489 Edelbrock Performer Series Carburetor Calibration Kits | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Edelbrock Performer Series Carburetor Calibration Kits with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Carburetor Calibration Kits at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

Not the same

 

[rivermobster]

Not the same

Yeah. It's much easier that's for sure!

 

[Bigbore500r]

How long will you wait? They’re in the box with QJ rods. Pretty sure my brother has them. FACTORY variable taper, robbed from all the carbs in pic your part. You know waayyyy back when they had that sort of thing.

Ahh quadrajets…..cue the Pontiac guys - they love them some performance Q-Jets!

 

[Bigbore500r]

I also built a bitchin carb rebuild table out of white Corian. Routered in a nice drip grove all around the edge. Nice bright lights just above it.

The tool box and bench sits right outside the Dyno room still...

Beings I'm retired, I can't just walk over there and get pics, just to pacify You!

I’ll give you that they are reliable. Reliably slow!
If you want something you can run with a rusty fuel tank and a cheap clear plastic fuel filter - that’s your carb. They always work. They are also always down on power compared to a like sized 4150 carb.

99%* of them have a flat spot, boil fuel when hot and have a major bog when the mechanical secondaries kick in. The other 1%…well….. you have seen and tuned

 

[rivermobster]

I’ll give you that they are reliable. Reliably slow!
If you want something you can run with a rusty fuel tank and a cheap clear plastic fuel filter - that’s your carb. They always work. They are also always down on power compared to a like sized 4150 carb.

99%* of them have a flat spot, boil fuel when hot and have a major bog when the mechanical secondaries kick in. The other 1%…well….. you have seen and tuned View attachment 1168859

You're like the media...

You think if say it enough times, it will be true!

P. S. Boiling Anything, is a result of the temperature of the container, the liquid is in. There is NO mystical property that allows a liquid to boil sooner in one container rather than another!

You can put the shovel down any ol time...

 

[coolchange]

Well, I was going to say put a Qjet on it but that’s as controversial as sayin pit bull around here!.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

It's been a while since we've had a good religious war thread over carburators... LOL.

I had an AFB on my Cutlass and daily drove it in Tucson, in the summer. Nothing ever boiled (other than me since it didn't have AC).
Had another on my 85 Chevy pickup with a BBC. Drove it for years in Colorado in all types of weather and it worked great.

The first thing I'd do when I bought a new vehicle would be to order a new Edelbrock carb for it from Summit.

Never experienced any flat spots or bogs when accelerating. Maybe if I took it to a track the time slips would tell but my ass never could.

So you have two camps, Holley and Edelbrock/AFB. Both do the same thing. Every once in a while one of mad monks from the Qjet reservation wonders into town and tries to convert the heathens. LOL...

 

[was thatguy]

Edelbrock 100%. I put a slew of them on Volvo Pentas back in the day and never had a problem. The first thing I'd do with a Holly is throw it in the trash unless less it was a pair of 660 center squirters!!!!!

Is this the place to say I have a pair of 660’s for sale?
4224’s

 

[sml]

I recently went with quick fuel black diamond slayer series carb (450). At the time when i had to order what i needed for my build, holley or edelbrock weren’t in stock anywhere.

 

[was thatguy]

Is this the place to say I have a pair of 660’s for sale?
4224’s

I’m being serious!

 

[hman442]

Won't it have to have the ugly adapter plate to install an aftermarket carb? Have we ruled out rebuilding the original?

 

[Nordie]

This debate is funny, it's all in the carb tuning. Holleys are pretty easy to tune, the quadrajet stuff isn't really that difficult either. We're talking about a 250HP engine that probably doesn't even use 600CFM.

I'm a little disappointed in you guys. You should of had the OP ordering a new aluminum intake and a Holley 750 double pumper.

You can get a remanufactured Holley 650 spread bore, or get one of the quadrajets from edelbrock, 600-650cfm.

 

[ibelio]

said he has original just rebuild it if you know how

 

[LazyLavey]

while we're at it... what the best oil to use???

 

[Shlbyntro]

while we're at it... what the best oil to use???

the slippery kind

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Amsoil.

 

[Bigbore500r]

You're like the media...

You think if say it enough times, it will be true!

P. S. Boiling Anything, is a result of the temperature of the container, the liquid is in. There is NO mystical property that allows a liquid to boil sooner in one container rather than another!

You can put the shovel down any ol time...

You act like I haven’t ran 20 of each type lol…
They have their place…..but it ain’t on the top of anything fast

 

[Blackmagic94]

Sniper efi Holley
Bla bla bla thought I’d beat them to it.
Why does it need a new one? Throttle shafts worn out?

I was gonna post the same. My CJ7 runs amazing now

 

[rivermobster]

You act like I haven’t ran 20 of each type lol…
They have their place…..but it ain’t on the top of anything fast

Still at it with that shovel eh??

China awaits your arrival. Won't be much longer now.