1980RS wrote: ↑Tue Mar 16, 2021 9:45 pm
I have not bought a new Holley in decades, I just wait for the ones that guys screw up to show on craigslist and marketplace then scoop them up cheap. I did buy 3 new FST's carbs last year, all were better quality than a lot of new Holley's I have seen of late.
I am helping youngest son build a new 350 for his '92 Camaro ragtop. Its for everyday driving and weekend cruising when the weather is nice. 9.5:1 comp., mild hyd. roller cam, AFR 180 heads, Edelbrock EPS intake, free flowing SLP headers and exhaust system for the '91 Pontiac Firehawk. Redline around 5,400 - 5,500 RPMs. Not a race car.
Being aware of Holley's collaboration with the Chi-Coms over the past 15 years or so...... I have several older American made Holley carbs here that I could have rebuilt but they are larger than he needs on an engine like that. So I contacted a fellow who specializes in rebuilding Ford Autolite carbs and he fixed us up with a couple nice 600 cfm Autolites (1 for now and 1 for a spare). Annular booosters, original to a '58 Merc 383 Marauder engine. Factory jetting for the Merc is a little fat for the 352 and 390 Fords. Should be pretty close to what we need for son's 350 engine running the 10% ethanol we are stuck with here and we can fine tune from there.
Yes, we are running a Ford water heated/cooled thermo base plate under it as well. There was no core charge and both rebuilt Autolites cost less than a single new Holley 570 cfm 'Street Avenger'.
FWIW...... I had a 600 cfm Autolite carb on my '63-1/2 Galaxie 390 engine many moons ago. Gave the car to my Step-dad when I left for the Marines in '66. He drove the car until '78 and traded it in on a new MOPAR when it was 15 years old. Most trouble free carb we've ever had. Never even had to put a kit in the old Autolite. Just keep it clean and run good gas and it will go forever.
Now if I can just keep the Chevy guys from burning a cross in my yard, all should be well.
Happy Motoring,
Harry