Evening, I am looking to get a Holley mechanical secondary carb body to clean/rebuild. I had seen on here before about getting different metering blocks and such, but cant find the post. Anyone that has done a rebuild/upgrade give me a few pointers or at least a direction to look in would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Dave

 

Metering blocks aren't generally something you'd swap around during a rebuild.

Best process is to acquire the carb, then the kit, then do the rebuild, then install it and see how it runs, then decide what changes need to be made. Not wise to start changing stuff when you don't know yet how what you've already got works.

 

I am looking to get one to mess around with, as I am kinda carb challenged. I found a 650 DP body that looks to need some cleaning, and was looking to build it so I can understand carbs better. Thanks for the advice.

Dave

 

What do you mean, "body"?

If you're talking about just the one main piece, I'd advise STRONGLY against messing with it. It's tough enough for somebody with long experience and familiarity with the functional features of those carbs (many of which are literally microscopic), to mix-& match em. Not wise for someone who has never even rebuilt one before.

Stick to looking for whole carbs.

If you find one, get the list # and post it; we can tell you if it's a good candidate in terms of its identity. From there, you'll have to be the judge of the individual piece; whether it's ALL THERE (harder to find than you think in used carbs, as people are REAL bad about leving stuff off thinking they're "improving" em); how bad the throttle shafts are worn; how much dissimlar-metal corrosion it has in the screw threads; how "gorilla"ed it is; and all that sort of thing, that ultimately determines how worthy an individual carb is for renewal.

 

Ok, thank you again! Yes I was looking at just the main piece, found it on ebay for like $20 or $30 dollars. I will keep my eyes open locally also to see what I can find and reply back. In all reality I am looking to install this on a 400+ ci small block going into my 89 IROC. Trying to decide on 650 or ??? for correct size. Trans is undecided as of yet. I know people say to use vaccum secondaries for an auto, but do not really care for them much myself. Was also lookinig at the quadrajet or edelbrock style carbs also. It looks like a properly sized DP would be perfect for me, so that is what I am going to go with.

 

If your gonna put a 400 in the car, stay with at the least a 650. If you can find a deal on a 3310 / 750 that would be better to learn on. Thats a vacuum secondary 750. Vacuum carbs are great for street cars, dont count them out. At worst with a vacuum secondary carb you can learn all about it, learn how to swap secondary springs and if you dont do it properly the first time, its alot less likely to load up the engine while you learn how to tune it.
Ive had a couple vacuum secondary carbs that you would swear I had a DP under the hood. Its all in the tuning man !

I dont know how you can say you dont care for vac sec when you've never had one or played with one. Dont knock it till ya try it !

 

Ok Jeff point taken and noted. I will keep my eyes open for whatever I can find 3310 or a DP also....if I can get them cheap enough I will buy one of each.

Dave

Heck, I just found a rebuilt Holley 3310 for $251.95......

 

Dave - if thats remanufactured then thats a good price. The 3310 will work great on a nice 400 sbc. You wont have to rebuild it for a long time, but you'll be able to learn all about the throttle cams, mixtures, rejetting, setting the float levels, installing a "quick change" secondary kit to tune the secondary side. All kinds of fun stuff.

Ive also had alot of success with the 4010 Holley model. Those were an "updated" take on the holley original design that everyone said sucked. Holley doesnt make em any more, but Summit bought the rights to the design and sells them as Summit Street and Strip brand carbs. There around 270 brand new. To me, they are a great carb at a great price.

Let us know- whatever you end up getting. We can help you get setup.

 

Awesome thank you for the help and info. It is much appreciated.

Dave

 

Saw that main body on there, as sofa says pass. There are too many variables and some yrs (older Holleys mainly) had some real porous castings where the internal passages will never be right and no way to correct them. Me thinks this could be why someone salvaged a main body to sell, probably tossed the rest out.

Be very careful buying carbs especially used ones off ebay. THeres a "New" 850 I think on there for cheap that has to be over 20 yrs old. lol.

Unless youre an expert with them, like cars buy the newest carb you can afford.

 

Understand and noted. I have no problem with paying for quality parts. I would like to get a really good carb that also wont cost a small fortune. If you have any suggestions I am open to hear them. Thank you for your help.

Dave