Carb selection - first time build

[BKWDco]

I was curious if anybody here had used the Holley Street Demon Series Carbs? Im debating whether to drop the money on a new carb, or buy used and rebuild. But this series seems like a great price point. Since this is my first build and I'm relatively new to the game, I thought I would try to get some input from the community.

https://www.holley.com/products/fuel...n/parts/1901BK

It would be going onto a SB 350 in my 59 Fleetside. Its an everyday driver/long term work in progress. (i attached some pictures, because i've been lurking in the forums long enough to know everybody wants pics. These were taken during the IFS install/engine clean up).

I am open to any and all feed back

thank you

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[_Ogre]

imo... 650 cfm is a little much for a stock 350
idle and gas mileage would suffer

[BKWDco]

thanks for the feedback.

What would you recommend? What are you running?

[mr48chev]

I'm not so sure about that. 650 cfm is pretty well standard issue for a 350 across the board.
It comes down to how well you can tune one by swapping jets or other pieces to get it to do what you want it to do.

I have a now pretty well worn out 650 Holley spread bore that I had on a number of engines including the 307 in my son's 70 C-10 backed by a compound 4 speed and 3.73 Posi and it would pull 16.5 at a steady 70 on the freeway on a road trip to Texas and didn't do that bad pulling a new cattle trailer loaded with furniture on the way back. I had spent more than a little bit of time working with the jets on it before I got it where I wanted it though.

[xaircav]

I'm an Edelbrock performer fan. Available in 500, 600 and 750 CFM, readily available jets and rods and easy to tune. I run a 500 CFM on my 283 and leaned it for Denver's altitude using the manual.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I'd suggest an Edelbrock too. I've always been told Holleys do not like it if they're not regularly used. They tend to leak. Not sure this is accurate or an old wive's tale. If/when I swap out the Holley I have it will be for a 1406 Edelbrock.

[Apachemike]

I'm a Quadrajet fan. If you decide to go that route pm me for a builder who will answer all of your questions and help pic out a carb for rebuild

[Stevetoxic]

I'm running one of Summitt's own 600 vac sec carbs on my ZZ4 350.
It was a temporary fitting/purchase as I wanted a Barry Grant carb - but several years later it's still on there and gives great performance and reliable starting.
Can't see me replacing it any time soon.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-m08600vs

[_Ogre]

quadrajet will work fine if you can work and adjust carbs well they are very good carbs
i hate all carbs; i hate my mower, i hate my chain saw and i hate my weed trimmer
can you tell i'm an efi fan?

as mr48 suggested a 650 will work fine if you want to rejet and work with it
imo... the 500 cfm will work better right out of the box with minor adjustments
again that is just my opinion from a carb hater

nice before and after of the engine clean up

[Bad Apache]

I'm a self proclaimed carb guru, but what Ogre said is true. EFI just plain can't be beat for reliability and ease of starting cold or after sitting a long time. But it doesn't come cheap. To attempt to answer your original question, for someone unfamiliar with tuning an edelbrock or quadrajet is hard to beat. The primaries are small, responsive and fuel efficient out of the box. I'd say if this is driver, stay at the afore mentioned 500-650 cfm range. Some tuning will be in order for any carb to get the best results.

Keep posting progress of your project. It looks good!

[capnduane]

I have nothing but good things to say about the Edelbrock #1405 600 cfm carb that's on my 400 Pontiac engine in my 55 2nd truck. Starts everytime, winter or summer (if you can call what we have here in SoCalif "winter") Idles at 600rpm, and runs great. I did have to put in a pressure gauge and regulator, in the fuel line, as my fuel pump was putting out 10.5lbs pressure and the truck was rich on the bottom end. Reducing pressure to 5-6lbs worked good. Going on 2 yrs with no problems, and I drive my truck every day.

[BKWDco]

thanks everyone for your comments/feedback, I appreciate it.

This might be a stupid question, but do people tend to pick a brand and stick with it? ie holley carb/intake/engine dress up kits etc?

I like the idea of keeping it all in the same family, i'd be curious to hear other peoples set ups.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I've got an Edelbrock Performer dual plane intake manifold under a Holley but only because the Holley was on there when I bought the truck. It had a totally gummed up single plane manifold so I ditched that for a new dual plane. At some point I'll put an Edelbrock 1405 or 1406 on it.

[Old Crow]

I've got the Edelbrock carb and intake on my shop truck because they came with the motor when I bought it. I got the air cleaner free from Edelbrock when I bought a carb/intake setup for a customer(he wanted a fancier air cleaner than the free one they were offering). Then I bought the valve covers to match the air cleaner.
No pics as the truck has a 4 letter word on the grille.

[crossfire84]

..

[Bad Apache]

Done it both ways. I think it's just personal preference. The total packages from edelbrock look interesting. But you're not replacing from the heads up.

[Goldengophersax56]

I haven't actually driven it yet, but I put an Edelbrock Thunder Series 650 cfm on my SBC 350. It starts easy, idles great and has great throttle response. Again, it's only on the stand which doesn't tell the whole story, but I'm extremely happy so far.

[yossarian19]

I'll catch some flack about this, but:
Go EFI.
Whether you go TBI, MPFI or SFI you won't regret it.
Want / need the old school air cleaner? Like the intake you've already got? TBI.

Every weekend I go to the car show and there is somebody who has to argue with their carb to get it started. I just turn the key to "on" , push the button and it starts.
My old man had a 455 in a 1972 LeMans convertible. With carb: 8 mpg, weather and altitude sensitive. Cadillac MPFI: 12 mpg, indifferent to conditions.
Watch almost any episode of Roadkill on youtube (great show if you haven't seen it) and compare it to turning the key on your daily driver.

Carbs are great for old school appearances and little else. You say this is for a DD build. I say DD = fuel injection.