This is probably a pretty odd question, but will a baseplate from a Holley 4150/4160 vacuum secondary swap with a base from a 4150 with mechanical secondaries?

I can't really compare them side by side, but it looks like I'd just need to take the throttle shafts and linkage out of one base and install it into the other. Am I right?

My 4777 double pumper (650) needs a new base, and my 3310 vacuum secondary (750) has a good one... will the base from the 3310 swap with the one from the 4777 if I take the throttle shafts and linkage from the 4777's original base and use them on the 3310 base?

 

What, you don't want to do it right and spend $165 for a new one?????

This is purely a WAG, but I think the only thing you'd be missing is the secondary accelerator pump lever pivot. I don't have them in front of me, so you might be able to better tell if you do. But, the fuel/air passages should all be the same.

I've considered a new base for mine, as the idle circuits are messed up (discovered when I went to a bigger cam and couldn't get it to idle). Proform makes a good looking piece for $140, even includes an easy secondary idle speed adjustment provision.

 

Would bead blasting be a good way to clean up the major carb parts - Ie. fuel bowls, metering blocks, base, and main body - or would this just damage these parts?

I know that won't clean out the passages inside, and I'll dip the parts in a good carb cleaner to deal with that (I think the cleaner I used last time was too weak) but to clean up these parts on the outside, would this be a good way to go? Or would bead blasting just damage those parts? I'm talking about threads, mating surfaces, etc...?

 

Just dip it and forget it. If you want to pretty it up, get some paint from eastwoodco.com for restoring carbs.