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Topic: Any tips on rebuilding a Holley carb?

in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems

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Any tips on rebuilding a Holley carb? (1/8)
9/10/12 6:07pm

Norsky

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Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am

Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7191

In the spring of 2000 when I bought "The Toy" it came with a Holley 650 CFM spread bore 4 barrel carb. I know it isn't original to the car but it has worked well until recently. The secondaries have been sticking and won't close completey causing a high idle speed and the fuel mileage to tank. So I figured a rebuild was in order. Got the correct Holley rebuild kit and will be trying the rebuild myself over the next few evenings.

25 years ago I watched my brother-in-law do a rebuild of the Holley 850 Double Pumper that was on his '70 AMX and I assisted (basically watched) a friend in the rebuild of "BIGBRRD's Q-Jet. I've already been warned to take things apart carefully as springs and parts can go rocketing off into the far corners of the garage.

Any other tips for a novice?

______________

Jim Olson

"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

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Re: Any tips on rebuilding a Holley carb? (2/8)
9/10/12 7:57pm

indy99
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Newport, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1980 L-48 still in the middle of a frame-off.

Joined: 6/9/2005
Posts: 932

When I rebuild carbs on the bench I put an old clean towel down first. This helps to stop things from rolling and falling off. Take photos before taking apart the carb this will help with reassembly.

______________

Corvettes and women are the same...You want to make love to them but they keep breaking down.

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Re: Any tips on rebuilding a Holley carb? (3/8)
9/10/12 8:37pm

ebo

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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

I always check youtube for some vid's, maybe you can see what your up against.

ebo

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ebo

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Re: Any tips on rebuilding a Holley carb? (4/8)
9/11/12 12:12am

indy99
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Newport, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1980 L-48 still in the middle of a frame-off.

Joined: 6/9/2005
Posts: 932

I told an EMT in training a few weeks ago that everything he needed to know was on youtube. He said I was crazy.

I said That I could neuter his dog for less then the vet charges. LOL

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Corvettes and women are the same...You want to make love to them but they keep breaking down.

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Re: Any tips on rebuilding a Holley carb? (5/8)
9/11/12 10:44am

VikingVette
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Greer, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Black with Viking mural painted under hood AM/FM/CB radio, T-top and a 2013 Cyber Gray Grand Sport Coupe, 2LT for my daily driver

Joined: 3/13/2012
Posts: 264

Those are two words that just don't fit together: Norsky & novice. Now I KNOW for sure that there is absolutely no hope for me Cry

the best advice has already been given.....clean sheet (steel balls and springs do not roll as well on a sheet compared to a hard surface) and use BRIGHT lights (you might have to take off those Norwegian Flag sunglasses.....you can always send those to me hehehe)

Breast (OOPS...my bad Embarrassed

) I mean BEST of luck to you!

______________
Warning: The surgeon general has declared that it is NOT unhealthy to smoke your competition AND I just discovered that my corvette is a hybred. It burns gas and rubber!

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Re: Any tips on rebuilding a Holley carb? (6/8)
9/11/12 6:54pm

Ron 78

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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA

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Joined: 7/19/2003
Posts: 3808

Throw the Holly out and get a Q-Jet LOL

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C3VR Lifetime Member #93

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Re: Any tips on rebuilding a Holley carb? (7/8)
9/15/12 11:50am

73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.

Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 866

I agree. The Holley spreadbore had all of the disadvantages of a Holley and none of the benefits of a Q-jet.

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1973 L-82 4 spd

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Re: Any tips on rebuilding a Holley carb? (8/8)
9/16/12 1:10pm

JohnRR
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Joined: 2/22/2011
Posts: 110

Lars on the Corvette Forum has lots of literature on rebuilding carbs and distributors. If you contact him, he will email fresh copies to you for free. My Holley Spread Bore just came off yesterday so I'll be rebuilding too. One of the things I learned from Lars papers is to set the secondary throttle plates to uncover the idle transfer slot by about .020. I'm hoping this will correct a big hesitation on mine when the secondaries began to open.

Have fun,

John

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1973 BB 4-Speed Coupe Project Car

2009 Z06 Mostly Stock

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