Hi, guys. I am a new user and was very happy to find thirdgen.org and would really appreciate your help.

So, I'll begin with a disclaimer: I am a total noobie when it comes to fixing up old cars!

Last week, I went out and bought a 1991 Camaro RS with an old 454 big block under the hood. It sounds great already, but clearly needs some love and I want to bring her back to life!

A few pseudo-mechanic friends of mine have recommended that I buy a new carb because he thinks one of my valves is stuck open. It appears to be a very old carb, and I am looking for some advice on a replacement. Everyone I have spoken to has recommended a Holley (including most postings on this site), but I am wondering what kind I should buy and whether or not to buy new or used? There are some decent looking ones on Ebay motors, but I am tempted to buy a new one. What do you all think?

(Thanks for the help!)

Matt

 

welcome to TGO, you got any pics of your car so far? have anyplans for her?

 

Thanks... I've got these couple pictures from the seller, but need to take some more shots for sure.



My plan so far is to get her in good condition for the street mechanically and then do some much needed cosmetic work. I plan on bringing a new carb to a friendly mechanic (in the process of finding one), and then having him do a thorough once over on the engine. Then, I can start looking into fixing the messy exhaust job that the car came with (unfinished side pipes that drag on the ground on every bump).

She is a work in progress but I have always loved the 3rd gen and I am excited about bringing her back to the condition she deserves ;-).

 

where are you located? and what "valve" is stuck open?

 

I'm in northern New Jersey - I honestly am not totally sure about what is stuck open (or if anything is at all), its just what a friend told me. What I can tell you for sure is that the carb is old - and it looks very old in my rookie opinion. I have wrapped my head around putting a new one in at this point. I am wondering what kind you all would recommend and whether or not it is worth buying a used one or going for a new one.

I wish I had some more information, but I kind of fell in love with the car right away and made an impulse buy! The guy I bought it from didn't know much about it (he had about 8 or 9 other project cars in the driveway), and he was in dire need of driveway space and gave me a good deal so I made the mistake of not asking enough questions...

Thanks for the help

 

Honestly, I'd take it somewhere to get looked over by a shop that knows carbs. A good idea would be to call around local speed shops to find a dyno operator that would give you a good street tune. Perhaps posting on the regional boards asking a member to check it out, check the timing, pull a plug, etc

 

Great recommendations - thanks xpndbl3. I will post on the regional boards now and make some calls tomorrow about getting a street tune.

Gracias...

 

If you plan on getting it tuned, it MUST be tuned on a wideband dyno, don't let some guy take your cash and just "guess" where it should be. Gas additives today don't leave as clear a color on the plugs like they used to, and a wideband dyno is really the way to go.