Holley Carburetor Rebuild - Car Craft Magazine

Holley Carburetor Rebuild Tearing The Carb Apart

Holley Carburetor Rebuild 4150 And 4160 Style Carbs

On the left is a mechanical-secondary carb, 4150-style with the thicker secondary metering block (arrow 1), compared with the 4160-style (right) that is shorter overall with a secondary metering plate and vacuum-operated secondaries identified by the large vacuum diaphragm module (arrow 2).

On the left is a mechanical-secondary carb, 4150-style with the thicker secondary metering

Sometime about 25 years ago, car magazines began doing stories on electronic fuel injection. They also began counting the days before carburetors would become extinct. Yet on the street today, the hot street-machine engine scales are still most definitely tipped in favor of the carburetor. The overwhelming popular hero 50 years ago, as well as today, is the Holley carburetor, and it's probably a safe bet that will continue for at least the next 20 years. Many car crafters start out with a used Holley, so we thought a quick previously owned Holley carb drive-by might be a good thing, and maybe we'll add a few 21st century tweaks.

Armed with a handful of mechanical fuel mixing insights and a few inexpensive parts, it's pretty easy to bring an old, neglected, swap meet Holley back to life.

Armed with a handful of mechanical fuel mixing insights and a few inexpensive parts, it's

Pick a Winner
If you don't speak the Holley dialect, a few pointers may be in order. There are several ways to differentiate Holley carbs. We'll start with 4150 versus 4160 models. The classic 4150 uses a metering block on the secondary side, while the less expensive 4160 style uses a thinner metering plate. This difference also creates two dual-feed lengths, so keep that in mind when ordering a new fuel line. The other major way to identify a Holley is by the secondary actuation using either straight mechanical linkage or vacuum actuation in which velocity through the primary side of the carb creates enough signal to push a diaphragm against a small spring inside the vacuum housing to open the secondary side.

Holley also offers the broadest range of different size carburetors that are rated by airflow expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The two most popular Holley sizes are the 600-cfm and 750-cfm versions but flow ratings range from 390 to 1250 cfm.

Holley Carburetor Rebuild Deformed Metering Blocks

The most common problem with older, high-mileage Holleys is warped or deformed metering blocks that are bowed in the unsupported center from thousands of heat cycles. Use a straightedge to evaluate each metering block. This one checked out OK.

The most common problem with older, high-mileage Holleys is warped or deformed metering bl

The Used Holley Shakedown
If you're looking for a used Holley carburetor, the swap meet is the place to go. At our most recent trip to Long Beach, California, the population density of Holley fuel mixers was at an all-time high. Prices seem to hover between $100 and $150 for all but the bigger-cfm carbs. There is an art to choosing a good carb, and since you can't test 'em, you may need a friend with a practiced eye to help spot the good ones. Holleys are pretty durable, so it's not difficult to find carburetors that are 20 to 40 years old. Any Holley with a small, linkage-actuated vent hole in the top of the primary fuel bowl is probably a '60s factory Chevrolet carb. The factory carbs can also be identified by a seven-digit sequence number on the choke housing. Another easy way to spot an older Holley is by the straight screwdriver blade float bowl screws. Later Holleys use a 5/16-inch hex bolt.

Holley Carburetor Rebuild Pressing Metering Block

Rather than machine the metering block, Moore suggests placing the block on spacers and using a press to return it to its original shape.

Rather than machine the metering block, Moore suggests placing the block on spacers and us

Look for a carb with matching bowls front and rear, with a color and appearance that is consistent. Mismatched bowls and/or metering blocks may be a sign that this carb has been assembled from the orphan carb parts bin and may be a questionable performer. Also look for broken or cracked base plates and missing small linkage pieces. These are usually good warning signs to look for a better unit. Take a quick glance at the air bleeds in the choke horn area to ensure that the carb has not been drilled by an overzealous "tuner." It's also best to recognize carb sizes by the Holley part number located on the choke horn. For example, the only difference between a 0-4779 750-cfm carb and its 0-4780 800-cfm cousin is a 1/16-inch larger secondary venturi diameter, so it's best to know the popular Holley list numbers in order to know their cfm ratings without having to ask. Car Craft family member Tim Moore has spent much of his life searching out good used Holleys, and we passed along some of his knowledge base.

Holley Hints, Tips, and Tricks
There are plenty of small changes that can turn a marginal carburetor into a crisp, throttle-responsive mix master that will have your buddies thinking you're some kind of carburetor wizard. The cold, hard truth is that just returning the carburetor to its stock jetting, accelerator pump squirter size, and other specs will, if anything, return the carb to a proper baseline for further tuning.

If the carb is dirty or varnished, a good soaking in carb cleaner is necessary. If the carb is in better shape, a few squirts of carb cleaner down the air bleeds and through all the metering block circuits may be all that's necessary to ensure all the passages are open.
If the carb is dirty or varnished, a good soaking in carb cleaner is necessary. If the car
This '60s OE Chevrolet vacuum-secondary 3310 used small mixture-distribution tabs on the primary boosters to direct fuel to certain spots in the intake manifold. This could cause mixture distribution problems on non-OE applications (especially single-plane intakes), so be aware of this when buying older Holleys.
This '60s OE Chevrolet vacuum-secondary 3310 used small mixture-distribution tabs on the p
If the primary or secondary throttle blades have been drilled for a monster cam, it will often cause the engine to idle too high, even with the idle speed screw backed all the way out. You can purchase new throttle plates from Holley or just buy an entire new throttle-plate assembly.
If the primary or secondary throttle blades have been drilled for a monster cam, it will o

All 3310s (except the -1) are 4160-style carbs that use a metering plate instead of a metering block. For less than $50, you can convert to a secondary metering block that includes the proper jets and all the gaskets. The metering plate is retained with clutch-head screws. If you don't have a clutch-head screwdriver, try grinding the tip of a cheap screwdriver.
All 3310s (except the -1) are 4160-style carbs that use a metering plate instead of a mete
A quick way to bench set the float level is to invert the bowl and adjust the float until it's level. Final float adjustments can be done with the engine running. Minor float level adjustments work just like fine-tuning the jets.
A quick way to bench set the float level is to invert the bowl and adjust the float until
This tip is critical. Adjust the accelerator pump linkage with zero clearance so as soon as the throttle is opened, the accelerator pump arm also moves to push fuel out of the squirter. Adjust the pump cam arm to ensure that this system pumps fuel the moment the throttle moves.
This tip is critical. Adjust the accelerator pump linkage with zero clearance so as soon a

The power valve channel restrictors (arrows) are similar to the main jets that restrict the amount of fuel added when the power valve opens. This allows you to lean the primary jets and still have sufficient fuel when demand increases. If it's necessary to go to smaller primary jets for part-throttle tuning but you still need more the wide-open throttle fuel, compute the smaller jet flow area reduction, then enlarge the power valve channel restrictor by that area to add the fuel back in. The second pin indicates the position of the idle feed restrictor.
The power valve channel restrictors (arrows) are similar to the main jets that restrict th
Most stock vacuum-secondary Holleys come with slow-opening diaphragm springs. The spring kit is inexpensive, but changing the springs is a pain. If you invest in a quick-change lid, then changing springs takes about two minutes.
Most stock vacuum-secondary Holleys come with slow-opening diaphragm springs. The spring k
You can buy an expensive, aftermarket Holley bowl drain can or you can make one out of an 8-inch length of 1 3/4-inch aluminum tubing and drive in a Dorman 1 5/8-inch brass freeze plug (PN 565-030) on the end to seal it up.
You can buy an expensive, aftermarket Holley bowl drain can or you can make one out of an