Holley vs Edelbrock

[johnhinds]

Need some opinions. For a bone stock 69' 383 which would be the overall best carb for the street. Edelbrock 1405 600cfm or Holley 4160 600cfm. both about the same money. any input would be appreciated. John

 

[Budnicks]

I prefer the Holley over the Edelbrock carbs, a stock style Carter AFB would be a great choice too, I'm not a fan of the Edelbrock/Weber copies at all, there are many that will claim they're just as good... I'm not one of those people... but on a mostly all stock combo, they don't have as many issues, as they do on more modified combinations... boiling fuel, vapor lock, fuel draining out into the engines intake overnight or after it sits for any period of time, causing you to have to crank for ever to get fuel back up-to the carb & big flat spots in the fuel curve or hesitations off idle are the usual claims... just read anywhere on the W-W-W Google it or go to any Mopar forums you will find several repeated threads on any of them, about Edelbrock Carb Tuning complaints... they have allot of other great products, but their carbs aren't on of them IMHFO anyway...

 

[johnhinds]

I have an Edelbrock now and ive had those same issues. i dont know if i should rebuild it or buy a new Holley.

 

[Budnicks]

IMHFO, I would just put a Holley on it, sell the Edelbrock to someone else or go back to an Original style Carter AFB myself & don't waste any more money or anymore time on the Edelbrock carb... but there is a guy here Meep Meep who like them allot more than I do & does pretty well with them, he's more patient & might be able to aid/help you... I've pretty much gotten fed up & won't ever use one again, won't ever recommend one to anyone & unless it's a multi carb type set up & even then I would have to completely change almost everything anyway... but that's just me... good luck what ever you decide...

 

[johnhinds]

So is the 4160 the Holley you would use or another part #?

 

[Budnicks]

I've replaced Edelbrock carbs on a few car, that had those same issues, replaced with a Holley/I prefer the Quickfuel/Holley or Proform carbs {little more money, better metering blocks, etc.} & no other changes & had none of the same issues, that the Edlebrock had... there have been a few that needed probably an insulator under the carb, for the heat soak problem & also insulate the fuel lines from the heat or block off the heat riser between the heads & intake, might help too... The Holley's don't seem to be anywhere near as prone to that problem thou... my $0.02 cents

- - - Updated - - -

So is the 4160 the Holley you would use or another part #?

It's a basic 4bbl no frills... how do you intend to use the car, just street driving/cruising ?? keeping it mostly all stock, that will work just fine, you will also need a kit for the throttle linkage/cable adapter {I don't remember the # or actual cost off hand, but they are cheap/inexpensive too} Summit Racing sells the 4160 600cfm Vac. Sec. for something like $269, you can get the adapter there too I'm sure...

 

[johnhinds]

Yeah, I have an inch spacer on it now. phenolic

 

[ykf7b0]

If you are looking for performance get the Holley. If you just want a decent street carburetor then the Edelbrock will suffice.

 

[Coronet 500]

Just put one of these on the 318 truck and like it very much, off idle breakaway is great.

http://www.demoncarbs.com/Types/Street Demon.asp

 

[J5 GTX]

You ask 2 different people , you'll get two different answers. Ask an open forum and there's no telling what you'll get.

Bone stock, '69 383, (I had one, 383 Magnum), I'd go with the stock AFB, because that's what I actually did from a Holley 650.

Had the Holley, it was constant headaches, never tuned properly, rejetted, change springs. Sometimes leaked badly from the inlet fitting, needle stuck one time: filled the valley pan with fuel. Removed, installed an AFB out of the box, adjusted idle mixture: seat of the pants definite increase in h.p. and throttle response. Daily driver, started/ran every time, no stall/stumble or leaks.

For hi.po. street/ strip , the Holley is probably the better choice. Crusin': Carter.

Yes, I know. There are plenty of Holley aficionados (big name, famous people, with tons of real engine performance experience) that would vehemently disagree with me. And yes, I have other experience with Holley performance 4 bbls other than my 383 car.

You asked for an opinion, I gave it.

 

[moparmarks]

For me it is Holley all the way. They don't fit Mopars as well as the Carter style but I still like them better. Easiest carb in the would to setup. I too like the Carters better then the Edelbrocks.

 

[68gtx]

I haven't had any luck with edelbrock, leaks, they did warranty them. and just headaches with stumbles etc, I have had very good luck with the barry grant mighty demion series of carbs, haven't tried these new street carbs , but just might have to

 

[Moparsmitty]

I like the old Carter AFBs better than the Eddys too, but I'm running a 750cfm Eddy on my 440 without any problems. Needed a jet and metering rod change and a little adjusting to make it run just right. I prefer Holleys for racing though. Much easier to tune at the track. Most carbs will work out of the box but they are so much nicer if they are tuned by someone who knows what he's doing.

 

[Photon440]

Carter/Edelbrock, tried several. Tried a lot of Holley carbs too. They both had similar power on my engines, but the Carters usually gave me 4 mpg. better economy.

The best carb I had on my 440 was a Rochester Quadrajet, needed an adapter plate. Didn't look as cool as a Holley, but response was wonderful.

 

[johnhinds]

Thanks for the info guys, ive seen a few other Mopars with Quadrajets. i dont think you can buy a new Carter anymore. i cant find one anyway.

 

[Photon440]

Maybe not new, but rebuilt to as good as new:
http://www.carburetorsandmore.com/afbcarter.htm

 

[Budnicks]

Just put one of these on the 318 truck and like it very much, off idle breakaway is great.

http://www.demoncarbs.com/Types/Street Demon.asp

I saw them a while ago advertised, those do look interesting, never seen or used one personally thou, {Demon is owned by Holley now}, an old Road Demon 525cfm VS {looks allot like an 1850 600cfm Holley} them Street Demon 625cfm look an older 3bbl carb...

 

[johnhinds]

I may just clean up my Edelbrock and rebuild it for now. been running that cheap gas,that might be the problem.

 

[Budnicks]

Haven't heard anything negative about the Street Demon like you do about the Edelbrock carbs either...Yet anyway

 

[JamieZ]

I just ordered a Holley for my 68 charger. I've only had the Charger for two weeks and I can tell the carb needs some rebuild/tuning/adjusting (off idle hesitation, doesn't fast idle right, etc). I have a Holley on my Challenger so I already have all the parts to tune it, plus I know what I am getting into. I've never rebuilt an AFB, but I have rebuilt a TQ, and the adjustability of the Holley blows the TQ away. Almost everything on the Holley can be adjusted on the car...the TQ requires removal and disassembly (float level is a perfect example).

I've never used an Eddy, but I assume being an aftermarket carb they are also pretty adjustable.