Best CARB ever and why? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Chevy409 · 07-10-2002, 09:42 PM

What do most of you guys and gals run for a carburetor (what make that is)? I've been a Holley fan through and through but just got back from a car show and saw a d@mn lot of Edelbrocks. I like Holley for its easy-to-work-on nature but what's your preference and what differences have you noticed in the variety of carbs offered. Thanks for any and all info.

Also, I'm a 4x4 fanatic so something like an 850 street carb isn't ideal for me at all. What seem to work best at extreme angles and situations like that though? Right now I'm running a Holley 650 double-pumper that feeds the 409 well but tends to overflow if climbing a STEEP hill covered in bumps.

68 with 350 TPI · 07-10-2002, 09:54 PM

Well I had a 1407 edelbrock on a 383 and it was the best carb I ever had for the street/strip.

I run a pair of holleys on my 6-71 blower as they are a little better about getting the right signal with a blower.(or at least that is what I was told.
Been done by a lot of people and all I had to do was follow in their foot steps with the holleys.

I had no help with my edelbrock 750 I had on my old 383 but....It was a very easy carb to tune and get right.
No day did it ever seem to run better than others like the holleys I had in the past.

They run fair right out of the box and all you need a fuel pressure regulator to get them to work right.
Mine worked best just about at 5 psi.
At 6 psi I was pushing the needle out of the seat and it was loading up a bit.

After that just play with the metering rods.

I recomend them for anyone

Im even thinking about getting another one and putting them on my blower to see what happens.

If it does as good as it did on my 383 I cant go wrong

mikep · 07-10-2002, 10:01 PM

Are the carbs on your blower the manifold pressure referenced Holleys? My dad is trying to fugure out what carbs to get for his 8-71 blown 454 and is leaning towards Edelbrocks as he cant find anyone who has used the boost referenced holleys who swears by them plus they run $680 each.

CE20934 · 07-10-2002, 10:08 PM

I'm more than happy with my rebuilt Qjet. Does it's job quite well (especially when clean), and it doesn't puke gas down the intake going over bumps or while I'm mudding like the AFB in my S10 (may it rot in junkyard hell).

6869704X4 · 07-10-2002, 10:25 PM

Q-jet is the off road king. Tolerates angles better than holleys. Holley just came out with an off road carb. Have'nt heard about their performance. I say holleys are easy to work on because you have to all the time.
Anybody heard how the predator carbs perform? They are $$$$$

>X< · 07-10-2002, 10:51 PM

i dont know bout best carb ever, but the edelbrock 650 cfm performerthat i have on my 71 was the best thing that i ever bought for that truck, i replaced an old rochester, it was like dropping a new tor in, havent touched it since i out it on a year go, i am prob gonna go with the performer 850 for my 454 4x4

junkyardjohn · 07-10-2002, 11:21 PM

I RUN EDELBROCKS ON ALL THREE OF MY TRUCKS, & HAVE HAD PRETTY GOOD LUCK WITH EM. THERE EASY TO TUNE & I DON'T HAVE TO SCREW WITH THEM MUCH. I LIKE THAT IN A CARBURATOR

Longhorn Man · 07-10-2002, 11:44 PM

I agree with pretty much everyone in this thread. Holley is nothing more than an expensive chock for when your truck is on the ramps.

mikep · 07-11-2002, 12:30 AM

I guess I am going to have to counter that argument. Ive used a ton of holleys, edelbrocks, carters both AFB and WCFB, Dellortos, Strombergs, Webers of all types, Rochesters, and others.

For my money the best out of the box are the edelbrocks. They will not build the most power by far but if you want one that any schmoe can take out of the box and have fairly close to the right calibration on a stock or mildly build engine they are the way to go. They dont leak but they are never going to make the kind of power a well tuned holley will although Ive run low 12's with a edelbrock 750 and thats no mean feat. The trick with holleys is that you have to really LIKE working on carburetors. I like working on carbs so I think theyre great carburetors . In fact I think the vacuum secondary 4175 is a great street performance carb that is every bit as user friendly as the edelbrock for mildly built engines but is one of their most underrated carbs.

Theyre a little on the exotic side but I think the easiest carb to work on and tune is the Weber IDF. 4 IDF's on a small block makes me happy.

**breeh** · 07-11-2002, 12:31 AM

4-Wheel and Offroad did a review on the new Holley offroad carbs and they claimed that they did well in off camber situations. Of course, Holley is a major advertiser in that rag so what else are they going to say? Anyway, I would love to hear if anyone unbiased has tried them.

colohusker · 07-11-2002, 01:10 AM

I like Edelbrocks just because of the no hassle, but I agree that for max performance Holley's win out, but, in my experience you have to constantly tune them. I ran Holleys in my Aspen and Challenger ages ago, but nowadays I run Edelbrocks since I don't have an hour or so a day to tune them. Depends on what you want, max performance and have the time to tune, or would you rather be driving your truck instead of wrenching on it? Might be a moot point since I don't think I'd run a 1406 or 1407 on a 4X4 since they have a tendency to spill fuel from the float. Just my nickel's worth...

jostrans68 · 07-11-2002, 01:47 AM

best of both worlds the Edelbrock Quad , 6 yrs not a lick of trouble. Havent been able to say that about the holleys or afb's Just my .02 worth

68 with 350 TPI · 07-11-2002, 02:21 AM

Schulzautomotive@Hotmail.com is my email.

Let me know some stuff about your dads engine and maby I can help a bit.

devinfife · 07-11-2002, 03:06 AM

4 wheel drive magazine did a review of 5 or 6 different carbs and one of them was the q jet. it performed well on every test including steep inclines, rock crawling, you name it they tested it and the Q-jet blew everything else out of the water. they said the only way to get the thing to stall would be to flip it over. Q-jets rock. get one of those.

Suicide-D · 07-11-2002, 09:32 AM

I have an Edelbrock 600 cfm electric choke ... has run like crap on two different engines...I have never heard about needing a pressure regulator... I was on the verge of buying a Demon Carb 750 vacuum secondary.... I may try the regulator first and see what happens

68 with 350 TPI · 07-11-2002, 11:29 AM

Dirt dobber when you get the fuel pressure regulator make sure it is a good one and you install a guage to see what the pressure is right after the regulator.

Some of those cheap dial pressure regulators arent worth much.

Most AFB/Edelbrock carbs dont like more than 4-5 psi.

Suicide-D · 07-11-2002, 12:57 PM

my local speed shop... (Martel Brothers)... has a holley regulator and the guage is seperate for about 50 bucks for all of it...I'm running a stock fuel pump, does it have the capability of delivering too much pressure? I'm wondering if I need to change the Jets and stuff also? I really would prefer to fix this one as opposed to dropping the 4 bills on a new Demon... This carb is only 2 years old...

68 with 350 TPI · 07-11-2002, 02:30 PM

A holley regulator and guage should work fine

And yes most stock pumps will flow enough to cause problems... Between 6-9 psi depending on the year/type.

I have found that most of these carbs run best at 4-5 psi.

Paul Clark · 07-11-2002, 03:02 PM

Vent anti-slosh tubes like drag cars use?
Neighbor made his own out of some copper tubing that he flattened out on one end.
Holley makes a trick kit to prevent slosh, but it costs $75 in Summit.
A Quadra-Junk that runs right is tough to beat. Flows (I think) 850 cfm.
Had a Holley that ran real well. Just make sure you do the check-ball thing. Everytime it farted in cold weather I had to replace the power valve.
Got a small Edelbrock now w/electric choke. Haven't touched it in 8 years. Ran fine right out of the box.

XXL · 07-11-2002, 04:00 PM

64-7132 Rochester 1bbl Hooooahhhh!

Kenneth

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 07-11-2002, 04:05 PM

Edelbrock 1406, Pi** on Quadra Sucks, and Power Valves!!!!!!! :p

Suicide-D · 07-11-2002, 05:14 PM

OK I ordered the holley regulator and liquid filled guage... I also orderd the calibration kit for the 1406...I hope this does it... Helluva alot better than spending money that should be going towards the body...

68 with 350 TPI · 07-11-2002, 05:26 PM

sounds good

BTW if you still have the tuning book that came with the carb it has a lot of info on how to help tune the part throttle/full throttle. If not edelbrock will send you another one if you write them.

Let us know how it goes

Chevy409 · 07-11-2002, 05:53 PM

Hmm, sounds like the same result as the car show, most of you are standing by Edelbrock. If I could stop the overflow of my Holley going up steep hills, I think I'd have my mind made up. I did lower the float level though, hoping to end that but we'll see what happens.
I've heard of that new Truck Avenger crab by Holley too, the one for off-road. The ONLY things i liked about it was the clear sight plugs and the vent tube that was all bent and funny looking, and tose are two things I could add to my carb right now anyway. Other than that, i hate electric choke and vacuum secondaries and especially the price. I love Holley, but that carb's nothing but a gimmick.
If I was looking to buy like a 650 "Idle-Break"

what would I be looking to pay? Thanks again.

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 07-11-2002, 06:28 PM

A heckuva lot less than a Street Avenger or a Truck Avenger those run from $369.00 to over $400.00!! I bought an Edlebrock 1406 600cfm for $209.00!! I was wanting the Street Avenger, but the Price scared me!!

07-10-2002, 09:42 PM	#1
Chevy409 Giddy up giddy up... Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: US Posts: 483	Best CARB ever and why? What do most of you guys and gals run for a carburetor (what make that is)? I've been a Holley fan through and through but just got back from a car show and saw a d@mn lot of Edelbrocks. I like Holley for its easy-to-work-on nature but what's your preference and what differences have you noticed in the variety of carbs offered. Thanks for any and all info. Also, I'm a 4x4 fanatic so something like an 850 street carb isn't ideal for me at all. What seem to work best at extreme angles and situations like that though? Right now I'm running a Holley 650 double-pumper that feeds the 409 well but tends to overflow if climbing a STEEP hill covered in bumps. __________________ 72 with 69 grille and custom 73-87 stepside. BIG BLOCK 409, SM465, NP205, 3/4 axles slung under a 5" lift, 3"bodylift, 112" frame, and 35inch Pro Comp X-terrains... "BUILT NOT BOUGHT" Here's the site...

07-10-2002, 09:54 PM	#2
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	Well I had a 1407 edelbrock on a 383 and it was the best carb I ever had for the street/strip. I run a pair of holleys on my 6-71 blower as they are a little better about getting the right signal with a blower.(or at least that is what I was told. Been done by a lot of people and all I had to do was follow in their foot steps with the holleys. I had no help with my edelbrock 750 I had on my old 383 but....It was a very easy carb to tune and get right. No day did it ever seem to run better than others like the holleys I had in the past. They run fair right out of the box and all you need a fuel pressure regulator to get them to work right. Mine worked best just about at 5 psi. At 6 psi I was pushing the needle out of the seat and it was loading up a bit. After that just play with the metering rods. I recomend them for anyone Im even thinking about getting another one and putting them on my blower to see what happens. If it does as good as it did on my 383 I cant go wrong __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

07-10-2002, 10:01 PM	#3
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Are the carbs on your blower the manifold pressure referenced Holleys? My dad is trying to fugure out what carbs to get for his 8-71 blown 454 and is leaning towards Edelbrocks as he cant find anyone who has used the boost referenced holleys who swears by them plus they run $680 each. __________________ No truck :-(

07-10-2002, 10:08 PM	#4
CE20934 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Help! I'm in an office park with its own network of freeways! Posts: 470	I'm more than happy with my rebuilt Qjet. Does it's job quite well (especially when clean), and it doesn't puke gas down the intake going over bumps or while I'm mudding like the AFB in my S10 (may it rot in junkyard hell). __________________ '67 C20--427 tall deck/SM420, 4.10 HO52 (Michigan has not been kind to the Old Man) '95 Caprice--355 LT1/T56/3.42 8.5" 10-bolt (daily driver, almost 300k on the chassis) '07 Outback--wife's car. 125k & counting. No head gasket or transmission issues yet. fingers crossed

07-10-2002, 10:25 PM	#5
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	Q-jet is the off road king. Tolerates angles better than holleys. Holley just came out with an off road carb. Have'nt heard about their performance. I say holleys are easy to work on because you have to all the time. Anybody heard how the predator carbs perform? They are $$$$$ __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

07-10-2002, 10:51 PM	#6
>X< registered IWATA user Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 4,483	i dont know bout best carb ever, but the edelbrock 650 cfm performerthat i have on my 71 was the best thing that i ever bought for that truck, i replaced an old rochester, it was like dropping a new tor in, havent touched it since i out it on a year go, i am prob gonna go with the performer 850 for my 454 4x4 __________________ -'63 Ford Fairlane 500 coupe, v8, auto, faded and rusty. awaiting built roller 302 and some flat black -'99 Honda Prelude. vtech/5spd. no pipe, no intake, bone stock. awaiting new top end. -01 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3 dented and scratched with a noisy tranny. Take off that Von Dutch hat before i stab you with a 000 Mack.

07-10-2002, 11:21 PM	#7
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	I RUN EDELBROCKS ON ALL THREE OF MY TRUCKS, & HAVE HAD PRETTY GOOD LUCK WITH EM. THERE EASY TO TUNE & I DON'T HAVE TO SCREW WITH THEM MUCH. I LIKE THAT IN A CARBURATOR __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

07-10-2002, 11:44 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I agree with pretty much everyone in this thread. Holley is nothing more than an expensive chock for when your truck is on the ramps.

07-11-2002, 12:30 AM	#9
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	I guess I am going to have to counter that argument. Ive used a ton of holleys, edelbrocks, carters both AFB and WCFB, Dellortos, Strombergs, Webers of all types, Rochesters, and others. For my money the best out of the box are the edelbrocks. They will not build the most power by far but if you want one that any schmoe can take out of the box and have fairly close to the right calibration on a stock or mildly build engine they are the way to go. They dont leak but they are never going to make the kind of power a well tuned holley will although Ive run low 12's with a edelbrock 750 and thats no mean feat. The trick with holleys is that you have to really LIKE working on carburetors. I like working on carbs so I think theyre great carburetors . In fact I think the vacuum secondary 4175 is a great street performance carb that is every bit as user friendly as the edelbrock for mildly built engines but is one of their most underrated carbs. Theyre a little on the exotic side but I think the easiest carb to work on and tune is the Weber IDF. 4 IDF's on a small block makes me happy. __________________ No truck :-(

07-11-2002, 12:31 AM	#10
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	4-Wheel and Offroad did a review on the new Holley offroad carbs and they claimed that they did well in off camber situations. Of course, Holley is a major advertiser in that rag so what else are they going to say? Anyway, I would love to hear if anyone unbiased has tried them. __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

07-11-2002, 01:10 AM	#11
colohusker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 436	I like Edelbrocks just because of the no hassle, but I agree that for max performance Holley's win out, but, in my experience you have to constantly tune them. I ran Holleys in my Aspen and Challenger ages ago, but nowadays I run Edelbrocks since I don't have an hour or so a day to tune them. Depends on what you want, max performance and have the time to tune, or would you rather be driving your truck instead of wrenching on it? Might be a moot point since I don't think I'd run a 1406 or 1407 on a 4X4 since they have a tendency to spill fuel from the float. Just my nickel's worth... __________________ ------------------------------------------------ I say it's only money, my wife says it's only a truck.... '71 C10 Deluxe, factory ac, ps, pb, should be done by 2102 Longmont, CO husker95@hotmail.com

07-11-2002, 01:47 AM	#12
jostrans68 Jostrans68 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Bloomington indiana Posts: 1,182	best of both worlds the Edelbrock Quad , 6 yrs not a lick of trouble. Havent been able to say that about the holleys or afb's Just my .02 worth __________________ [CGTW Member former 67-72 now with a 96 silverado

07-11-2002, 02:21 AM	#13
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	Mikep, Email me and we can talk about some carbs for blowers. Schulzautomotive@Hotmail.com is my email. Let me know some stuff about your dads engine and maby I can help a bit. __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

07-11-2002, 03:06 AM	#14
devinfife Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 171	4 wheel drive magazine did a review of 5 or 6 different carbs and one of them was the q jet. it performed well on every test including steep inclines, rock crawling, you name it they tested it and the Q-jet blew everything else out of the water. they said the only way to get the thing to stall would be to flip it over. Q-jets rock. get one of those. __________________ FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB 69 c-10. turquoise. 350 motor with 400 trans. long fleet. headers and dual flowmaster exhaust. K & N air cleaner, aluminum wheels and radials, stereo system and a bed liner. Manual drums and manual steering. Kickin it in Seattle, WA p.s. i love my longbed. must be a phallic thing.

07-11-2002, 09:32 AM	#15
Suicide-D Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Katy, TX...but the love of my life resides in Dublin,OH. Posts: 1,408	i must have a lemon I have an Edelbrock 600 cfm electric choke ... has run like crap on two different engines...I have never heard about needing a pressure regulator... I was on the verge of buying a Demon Carb 750 vacuum secondary.... I may try the regulator first and see what happens



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07-11-2002, 11:29 AM	#16
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	Dirt dobber when you get the fuel pressure regulator make sure it is a good one and you install a guage to see what the pressure is right after the regulator. Some of those cheap dial pressure regulators arent worth much. Most AFB/Edelbrock carbs dont like more than 4-5 psi. __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

07-11-2002, 12:57 PM	#17
Suicide-D Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Katy, TX...but the love of my life resides in Dublin,OH. Posts: 1,408	my local speed shop... (Martel Brothers)... has a holley regulator and the guage is seperate for about 50 bucks for all of it...I'm running a stock fuel pump, does it have the capability of delivering too much pressure? I'm wondering if I need to change the Jets and stuff also? I really would prefer to fix this one as opposed to dropping the 4 bills on a new Demon... This carb is only 2 years old...

07-11-2002, 02:30 PM	#18
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	A holley regulator and guage should work fine And yes most stock pumps will flow enough to cause problems... Between 6-9 psi depending on the year/type. I have found that most of these carbs run best at 4-5 psi. __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

07-11-2002, 03:02 PM	#19
Paul Clark Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Center Point, IA Posts: 502	Vent anti-slosh tubes like drag cars use? Neighbor made his own out of some copper tubing that he flattened out on one end. Holley makes a trick kit to prevent slosh, but it costs $75 in Summit. A Quadra-Junk that runs right is tough to beat. Flows (I think) 850 cfm. Had a Holley that ran real well. Just make sure you do the check-ball thing. Everytime it farted in cold weather I had to replace the power valve. Got a small Edelbrock now w/electric choke. Haven't touched it in 8 years. Ran fine right out of the box.

07-11-2002, 04:00 PM	#20
XXL Señor Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edge of the world Posts: 5,367	64-7132 Rochester 1bbl Hooooahhhh! Kenneth __________________ Craigslist \| ebay \| Engrishtees \| www.myattitudesucks.com \| Follow me on Twitter

07-11-2002, 04:05 PM	#21
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Edelbrock 1406, Pi** on Quadra Sucks, and Power Valves!!!!!!! :p __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

07-11-2002, 05:14 PM	#22
Suicide-D Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Katy, TX...but the love of my life resides in Dublin,OH. Posts: 1,408	OK I ordered the holley regulator and liquid filled guage... I also orderd the calibration kit for the 1406...I hope this does it... Helluva alot better than spending money that should be going towards the body...

07-11-2002, 05:26 PM	#23
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	sounds good BTW if you still have the tuning book that came with the carb it has a lot of info on how to help tune the part throttle/full throttle. If not edelbrock will send you another one if you write them. Let us know how it goes __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

07-11-2002, 05:53 PM	#24
Chevy409 Giddy up giddy up... Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: US Posts: 483	Thanks for all the input... Hmm, sounds like the same result as the car show, most of you are standing by Edelbrock. If I could stop the overflow of my Holley going up steep hills, I think I'd have my mind made up. I did lower the float level though, hoping to end that but we'll see what happens. I've heard of that new Truck Avenger crab by Holley too, the one for off-road. The ONLY things i liked about it was the clear sight plugs and the vent tube that was all bent and funny looking, and tose are two things I could add to my carb right now anyway. Other than that, i hate electric choke and vacuum secondaries and especially the price. I love Holley, but that carb's nothing but a gimmick. If I was looking to buy like a 650 "Idle-Break" what would I be looking to pay? Thanks again. __________________ 72 with 69 grille and custom 73-87 stepside. BIG BLOCK 409, SM465, NP205, 3/4 axles slung under a 5" lift, 3"bodylift, 112" frame, and 35inch Pro Comp X-terrains... "BUILT NOT BOUGHT" Here's the site...

07-11-2002, 06:28 PM	#25
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	A heckuva lot less than a Street Avenger or a Truck Avenger those run from $369.00 to over $400.00!! I bought an Edlebrock 1406 600cfm for $209.00!! I was wanting the Street Avenger, but the Price scared me!! __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

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