Holley: Gotta start somewhere...

[zerfetzen]

Ok, it's time for me to learn Holley.  I have to admit I'm scared of them, because I hear there are a billion and one parts and springs inside, and that you always have to tinker with them, but that might actually suit me because I like it complicated and to get things specific.  Then again, I'm very new to tinkering with carburetors.

I'm pretty sure my current setup has a 750 double pumper on it.  Which carb is better to learn with: 750dp, dominator, or street avenger?  If I stay with the dp on it, so if I buy a replacement (he said it should be re-jetted, and I don't know how he set it, so start from scratch for about the same price?), I could have one to tear apart in my spare time?

Also, which one is best for books and articles?  I did a search on Amazon.com for Holley books.  Another thing that scares me with them, is that none of the books had good feedback, except from pros.  Regular guys who bought the books, trying to learrn how to set their carbs, said they did not cover what they wanted, or present it for a beginner to grasp (probably failing to define terms I'm guessing).

My goal is street/strip (but hey, that's probably everyone's!).  Being new, what's the best approach?  Thanks.

[Chryco Psycho]

the Holley book by Dave emaual is the best one
 I would use the carb you have , nothing wrong with a 750 DP 

[tactransman]

I would not consider a Holley Carb "complicated" they are pretty simple inside, go for it! Wouldn't you agree Chryco?

[chevyconvert]

simple job
take it apart
clean everything
put it back together with careful attention to the gaskets / port relationship
hope you have a big block for that d.pumper

[RusTy/SE]

the Holley book by Dave emaual is the best one
 I would use the carb you have , nothing wrong with a 750 DP 

When you buy it read pages 112-119 several times to familiarize yourself with the carb you have (mine is a model 4160; part #3310-2). You'll know when you have familiarized yourself enough as you'll be itchin' to start the rebuild    If you'll be doing the rebuild yourself, have a clean area set aside for use as you disassemble it. I got lucky as the fellow who bought my 73 Challenger about 6 months ago caught me at home this past tuesday. He's a good guy who's very familiar with Holley carbs and offered to not only rebuild mine, but was fine with my coming over to his house to watch the rebuild. Invaluable and very appreciated Reading Dave Emanuel's Holley book should take the edge off of any fears you might have as chevyconvert is 100% correct

simple job
take it apart
clean everything
put it back together with careful attention to the gaskets / port relationship
hope you have a big block for that d.pumper

Just an FYI; on my recently acquired 1967 i bought the Holley quick rebuild kit http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?Ntt=holley+1542&N=115+4294858057&Ntk=KeywordSearch from my local speed shop which had everything i needed. After the rebuild there was much backfiring, spitting, and sputtering - the accelerator pump needed tweaking...and all the plugs were fouled black. After 1 1/2 hrs spent replacing the plugs (wrapped headers DO NOT help ) she fired right up As insurance i also ran new 3/8" rubber fuel line from the fuel pump to the carb, new fuel filter, distributor cap and rotor button. The last two items probably weren't necessary but "do it once and do it right" Well after adjusting the carb to a smooth idle, that big-block very much woke up   Of course Mr. Murphy showed up on the return end of the test drive and turned on the rain Your situation may be different; i just wanted to let you know what worked for me

[Chryco Psycho]

I would not consider a Holley Carb "complicated" they are pretty simple inside, go for it! Wouldn't you agree Chryco?

 YEs I would 

[Super Blue 72]

In addition to all the good advice already given, what helped me is to make sure to stay organized. 

A big open, undisturbed area that isn't cluttered helps out.  Last thing you need is for your kid (if you have any) to come to the dining room table with a hand full of parts and say, "What are these thingys?" 

Holleys aren't much more complicated than the next carb.  Just get familiar with an exploded view of the carb.  Take your time with it.  Best to do it in 1 or 2 sitting so you don't forget what you just took off.

The last carb teardown I did I used a large, 3 drawer toolbox to hold all the parts I took off so I could lay them in the drawers in order as I took them off the carb.  If you do this make sure the drawers move back and forth smoothly or else you'll mix all the parts up!

Just have fun with it!

[zerfetzen]

Everyone's had great advice.  Here's what I'll do.  I'll buy a brand new 750dp, and take this one off and tear into it to learn (that way I can make a mistake and lose a spring or what not).  I'll also buy a jetting and rebuild kit.  It'll be a while before I get it, but does anyone have a recommendation for a starting point for main and secondary jet sizes for the engine in my signature line?  Thanks.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Everyone's had great advice.  Here's what I'll do.  I'll buy a brand new 750dp, and take this one off and tear into it to learn (that way I can make a mistake and lose a spring or what not).  I'll also buy a jetting and rebuild kit.  It'll be a while before I get it, but does anyone have a recommendation for a starting point for main and secondary jet sizes for the engine in my signature line?  Thanks.

They come with 70's in the primaries, and 75's in the secondaries. It's all trial and error. You just have to check your plugs after you take it for a spin. The primaries are pretty easy to figure out since that is what you are mostly driving on. To get the secondaries right, you pretty much have to check the plugs right after flooring it for a distance. I never really got that far, as the primaries were my main concern. It really is amazing what one size can do for you. The general rule of thumb is to move up or down in steps of two. Too rich, go down, too lean, go up.

  Mike

 

[rallyechall]

If you want the carb to shine, and not have the "just sprayed with carb cleaner" look, have it cleaned by an ultrasonic cleaner. It will clean the carb without the "etching" effect. I shouldn"t cost too much to have done.

[Super Blue 72]

If you want the carb to shine, and not have the "just sprayed with carb cleaner" look, have it cleaned by an ultrasonic cleaner. It will clean the carb without the "etching" effect. I shouldn"t cost too much to have done.

On that note one goofy thing I did when I was a teenager was to dissasemble the carb (was a cheap Holley 600cfm) and take the main body and bowls to a wire wheel to take off the typical Holley "whatever color it is" down to bare metal then coat it with clear coat.  I think, if I remember correctly, it comes out to a brilliant silver color.  Then I used red model paint to paint the "Holley" letters on the bowl.  Looked cool at the time IMO.  Just don't wire wheel the mating surfaces or you'll have sealing problems.  If I can find pics I'll post them, if your interested.

[zerfetzen]

Sure thing, let's see what it looks like

I just received that carb book last night, and I don't know what those people were complaining about at Amazon, it looks like a great book, and like it was said earlier, those pages need to be gone over well first.

Once your carb is set, how often do you recommend to rebuild it?  I'm guessing once every 5 years?  Thanks.

[Super Blue 72]

Sure thing, let's see what it looks like

Here's the pics of the Holley 600cfm model 1850 polished with some red lettering.  Its on top of a 318 (I know, very dirty!) in my old Chrysler 5th Ave (RIP).  I did this when I was about 18 years old.  I also took the valve covers to the wire wheel and then coated them with clear blue.

Sorry the pics are blurry, took a pic of a pic, but you might get the idea. 

BTW:  Like what I did with the "Lean Burn" module that was mounted on the side of the air filter housing?  Just wrapped it in a towel!  Couldn't unplug it or the car would die!  I was only 18!

[zerfetzen]

Looking good, you got that thing to shine!

[Super Blue 72]

Thanks!