Author Topic: Holly Carb  (Read 1267 times)

N PRGRES

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Holly Carb
« on: September 13, 2023, 10:24:33 AM »
My carb has issues, more than a rebuild will get me at this point due to some "modifications" from previous owners.  While I so want to go FI, sadly its not in the budget this year, or probably next as I have other items I want to tick off the list.

I am not a carb expert, or even a novice, so I am looking at options.  One is obviously to get a different rochester and have it rebuilt and put it on.  The other is to go with a different make and model carb.  I know there can be fit issues with the shaker so just trying to see what others have had good or bad luck with

thanks
Dave

81 Trans Am w/73 400.

FormTA

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Re: Holly Carb
« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2023, 11:03:37 AM »
I used to be in the throw a Holly or name brand carb on but over the years I am a strong believer in the original quadrajet carb. They work and fit correctly. I would buy an original quadrajet and rebuild it or go EFI.
79 Trans am low buck LS swapped
79 Formula 301 (Work in progress)
67 RS Camaro (waiting it's turn)
69 Dodge charger on late model charger chassis
49 Ford F1 on a 2003 Chevy ZR2 Chassis (current project)
Names, Luke. If I hear anyone telling me they're my father....

N PRGRES

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Re: Holly Carb
« Reply #2 on: September 13, 2023, 11:30:00 AM »
I used to be in the throw a Holly or name brand carb on but over the years I am a strong believer in the original quadrajet carb. They work and fit correctly. I would buy an original quadrajet and rebuild it or go EFI.
  It's not about a like or dislike of the Qjet, I certainly don't hate the QJet, just trying to find the most cost effective option till I can EFI the car
Dave

81 Trans Am w/73 400.

FormTA

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Re: Holly Carb
« Reply #3 on: September 13, 2023, 11:45:27 AM »
I would get a duplicate if whatever carb you have on it now if you are going efi in the future.  Just to save time an headaches of matching intake and throttle and transmissions linkages.
79 Trans am low buck LS swapped
79 Formula 301 (Work in progress)
67 RS Camaro (waiting it's turn)
69 Dodge charger on late model charger chassis
49 Ford F1 on a 2003 Chevy ZR2 Chassis (current project)
Names, Luke. If I hear anyone telling me they're my father....

b_hill_86

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Re: Holly Carb
« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2023, 03:12:19 PM »
What kind of modifications were done to it by the previous owners?
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

Re: Holly Carb
« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2023, 03:12:19 PM »

N PRGRES

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Re: Holly Carb
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2023, 04:48:05 AM »
What kind of modifications were done to it by the previous owners?
Its been a few years but I want to say that internally it was bored out for more flow or something to that effect. 
Dave

81 Trans Am w/73 400.

roadking77

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Re: Holly Carb
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2023, 05:42:24 AM »
Have someone that knows carbs rebuild the Q jet for you. Tom B checks in here occasionally and I know he had a great rep, I think he stills tunes/rebuilds them. The guy that does my motor work has been rebuilding them for 40 + years, and has mine tuned in perfect. My car runs great, always starts without a problem even after sitting a few months during the winter. I have no desire to put a FI in my car just because.
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77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
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N PRGRES

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Re: Holly Carb
« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2023, 10:12:00 AM »
Have someone that knows carbs rebuild the Q jet for you. Tom B checks in here occasionally and I know he had a great rep, I think he stills tunes/rebuilds them. The guy that does my motor work has been rebuilding them for 40 + years, and has mine tuned in perfect. My car runs great, always starts without a problem even after sitting a few months during the winter. I have no desire to put a FI in my car just because.
The carb has been rebuilt once by a guy who is the expert on Q Jets in this area, it took him a bit to get it to work and he made no promises how long it would last.  The card is being replaced, thats a given, with what however is still in the air
Dave

81 Trans Am w/73 400.

FormTA

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Re: Holly Carb
« Reply #8 on: September 14, 2023, 11:02:13 AM »
My vote is for whatever was on the car recently, which sounds like it was a quadrajet. Buy a used one that looks good and have it rebuilt.  Heck, maybe someone one here has one.
79 Trans am low buck LS swapped
79 Formula 301 (Work in progress)
67 RS Camaro (waiting it's turn)
69 Dodge charger on late model charger chassis
49 Ford F1 on a 2003 Chevy ZR2 Chassis (current project)
Names, Luke. If I hear anyone telling me they're my father....

b_hill_86

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Re: Holly Carb
« Reply #9 on: September 14, 2023, 11:30:04 AM »
What Luke said is probably your best bet honestly. It would be the easiest and I don’t think you’d have any gains by replacing with a Holley or other
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

scarebird

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Re: Holly Carb
« Reply #10 on: September 14, 2023, 02:54:14 PM »

N PRGRES

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Re: Holly Carb
« Reply #11 on: September 15, 2023, 05:44:16 AM »
Thanks guys, I'll figure it out over the winter, ill see if my carb guy has any tricks left for the one I have.  I just don't want to sink a ton of cash into it again. 
Dave

81 Trans Am w/73 400.

Re: Holly Carb
« Reply #11 on: September 15, 2023, 05:44:16 AM »
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