Hello again boys, long time no visit. Glad to see these forums are as hopping and busy as ever. ;-) I've had my car in storage now for over two years and just yesterday I finally got it down to where I live now. It apparently started right up but ran like crap, then began spewing gasoline. My boyfriends going to see if he can salvage the Holley carb but it wasn't working right when I had it last so I've already determined to get a new one. I had originally been thinking another Holley but lately I've gotten lazy and don't want to worry with having to adjust anything once it's in so I've been looking at Edelbrocks. Thing is, I'm not sure what I want. I've seriously considered both the 2- and 4-barrels but am not sure on specs I want. It's going to be one of my daily drivers so while I want adequate power I don't want a gas guzzler. I'm also going to get an Edelbrock intake at a later date (exact model also TBD) so don't want to spend more $$$ later for another carb. I would like a 10sec car sure, but mostly I want something reliable. Most carb threads on here deal with high performance - I'm looking for something with kick but not a drag racer. I worry I'd make a mistake on my own because I don't even know the difference between manual/electric choke or what I'd need for my car. Its a 73 Comet 5.0L, all stock, and I'm hoping to get her running by next week or so. Any ideas for this first step (in a LONG journey lol)? Sarah
Sounds like a stuck needle and seat. Smacking the float bowls with the plastic end of a screwdriver will usually knock them loose. What manifold do you have now?
Stock, the engine's been rebuilt but as far as I can tell it's all factory. I was originally thinking of a Holley 500cfm 2-barrel but I've heard Holley's take more tinkering than Edelbrocks.
If it were me, I would replace the manifold and carb at the same time. Nice dual plane 4 barrel manifold with either a Holley or Edelbrock carb. I am more of a Holley person. I think it is ones preference more than one requiring more tinkering than the other. Don't forget about the Road Demon carbs as an option as well.
Hm, what intake do you recommend then? I want Edelbrock but am not sure which is best for what I want.
For a stock engine I would use an Edelbrock Performer if your planning a cam swap later go with the Edelbrock Performer RPM.
Are you going to do the work or is your boyfriend? If it is you I would reccomend the edelbrocks for beginners, there is alot less work involved in maintaining those carbs. The Holley when tuned right can put out as much if not more power at the strip but for beginners can easily become a nightmare. For a day to day driver get a vacum secondary carb with an electric choke, either Edelbrock or Holley. An Edelbrock performer will be one of the better choices for you as it is not that radical of an intake and has decent street characteristics..... (on a note the BG (demon) carbs always struck me funny they basically sell a Holley carb they "fixed" to run right J/K i heard it phrased that way once and I always laughed about it)
Edelbrock performer intake and a holly 600 cfm w/vacuum secondaries/elec choke or the edelbrock 600 cfm afb style carb...both are good choices.both work well.Both have their own tuning quirks. The choice is yours.You cant go wrong either way.
Holleys take no more tinkering than any other carb. My 3 duece setup hasn't been adjusted in the 4 years I've had it on my 331 since the initial tuning. That Holley spewing fuel is simply a stuck needle/seat as maverick1970 stated. That's no fault of the carb, that's from sitting and not being run for two years. Anyone who has a Holley and thinks it needs tinkering frequently, simply does not understand carbs to start with. That and/or they're still running a points ignition system. With a Holley. set it and LEAVE IT THE HELL ALONE!!!!!!!!!!! If you do think there's a problem, 99% of the time, it's ignition related stuff causing it.
In my expeience with carbs it seems to me that the same cfm carb (Holley or Edelbrock) the Edelbrock will give you better mileage out of the box (about 2 mpg difference)then the Holley, Holley will give you better performance. At anyrate a 2 barrel carb isnt as good as a 4 barrel for fuel mileage . CFM on 2 barrel is bigger than the primaries on a 4 barrel. So as long as you keep your foot out of the 4 barrel your mileage will be better. But were is the fun in that. Holley seems to be easier to tinker with than an Edelbrock, but those that understand Edelbrocks tend to argue.
Holley all the way. Get a 600 CFM vacuum secondary carb with electric choke, Performer RPM intake, put it together, and cruise. I've tried two Edlebrock carbs, and didn't like them at all.
I have a Weind Stealth intake and a 600 cfm Edelbrock on my comet that is otherwise stock. The 600 cfm is to big and it runs ok but after running for a while you can smell gas. If you stomp it it will bog the engine. Im thinking of going to a smaller Holley. I know many of you say 600 cfm but is that for a stock engine or do I have another problem. Sorry if I hijacked this thread but it seems to fit right in.
It's my car so I'll be doing most of the work. The boyo has taken it upon himself to help me out as much as possible (which is bound to get annoying very soon as I want *my* hands dirty) but I'm the one who will be playing with it (hes got his own 64 El Camino and is a motorcycle guy anyway). I just want some specs that will get the job done without having to remove the entire engine (no garage, woe!) and maybe fairly inexpensive.The Holley carb I had is working fine now thanks to a rebuild but I'm planning on putting a chunk of my refund into getting this thing in good working order (and so it starts lol) so thanks a lot for the recommendations! :-D
To do best on a STOCK 302,just use a motorcraft 2bbl.If you're for sure gonna go 4bbl,get a Weiand Stealth(just as good as a Performer...w/o the higher price if you're buying new)and top it w/a holley street avenger 570.Every Edelbrock I've seen uses more gas than a same sized holley and run slower at the track.I've got a holley 600 that I bought new back in '90,it's been on about 20 different vehicles/engine combos and has only been rebuilt once.I like holleys,or if you can find a good one,the Autolite 4100.
