Edelbrok or Holley?

[Durandal25]

Team,

I've been running Edelbrock carbs for a while now without too many issues, but is Holley better? I have a Thunder 1812 series 750 CFM on my 1969 383 and my 67 383. Would I be better off with a Holley?

 

[67 coronet]

not really.you will prob get a ton of replies either way,but any carb of the correct size will run good if set up correctly.
ps;love the hanover fisk avatar.STERN!!!!!

 

[Durandal25]

not really.you will prob get a ton of replies either way,but any carb of the correct size will run good if set up correctly.
ps;love the hanover fisk avatar.STERN!!!!!

....gotta love 'ol Hanover!

 

[747mopar]

I've ran Holleys, Demons, Edelbrocks and Quadrajets my favorite is the Demon and then the Holley. Edelbrocks are my least favorite but then again we base our preferences on past experiences and if you've had good luck with Edelbrocks then that's all that matters. What killed me on Edelbrocks is the first brand new one I bought leaked out of the shafts and vapor locked easily but that was on a 460 that had a hot iron intake. Good luck

 

[Bolt-Action]

I've ran both, many times, I'm more familiar with holley so that's usually my "go to" carb.,
but just as 67 mentioned "any carb properly set-up, will work well".

i don't like edelbrock personally (I think the parts/acc.'s are over priced, but ole Vic and his kids need to pay for their mansions somehow!:toothy10
but if you're replacing a carter carb, then an Eddy is the natural choice. (Id prefer the carter to Eddy) Eddy carbs are headaches and overrated. You'll find Holleys under my hoods.

 

[Durandal25]

I've ran Holleys, Demons, Edelbrocks and Quadrajets my favorite is the Demon and then the Holley. Edelbrocks are my least favorite but then again we base our preferences on past experiences and if you've had good luck with Edelbrocks then that's all that matters. What killed me on Edelbrocks is the first brand new one I bought leaked out of the shafts and vapor locked easily but that was on a 460 that had a hot iron intake. Good luck

Yoo make a good case sir. i too have vapor-lock issues when the unit gets hot and sits for a while. I sort have gotten used to it, but do Holley's have that much of an issue with heat?

 

[67 coronet]

Yoo make a good case sir. i too have vapor-lock issues when the unit gets hot and sits for a while. I sort have gotten used to it, but do Holley's have that much of an issue with heat?

not as much as the edelbroks do.suspending the fuel bowls off the ends of the carb seems to help a bit,but not a huge difference.if the problem is bad,fix it with a heat barrier,if slight then maybe a holley is the way to go.

 

[MikeyT]

It is a preference thing.. I have run both Holley's and edelbrocks... Both are good for what I wanted. I think if it isn't broke don't fix it.

Mike

 

[747mopar]

Yoo make a good case sir. i too have vapor-lock issues when the unit gets hot and sits for a while. I sort have gotten used to it, but do Holley's have that much of an issue with heat?

I switched to a Holley on the 460 and the problem went away. What 67 said is one thing but another factor is that Edelbrocks are mostly one piece where as with a Holley you have the base plate, the throttle body, metering blocks and then the bowls. With the Holley the heat has to transfer through all of those pieces and gaskets before it gets to the bowls meaning less heat transfer (every gasket is an insulator).

 

[snakeoil24]

They both work, each has it's issues. I have been using Quick Fuel carbs now. I like the construction, but I would use Holley's again. I don't like carter type carbs, just cause they where headaches when we kids. I am sure Vic improved them.

 

[Lowhound]

I have had good luck with Holley. But only when I purchased them new. Also have problems if the car sits for awhile it seems.

 

[Durandal25]

I have had good luck with Holley. But only when I purchased them new. Also have problems if the car sits for awhile it seems.

The heat issue is no biggie. I remember a time when folks used to hang out longer, and thus she cranks just fine....one other thing, the electric choke on the Edelbrock keeps getting loose and going all the way lean......that is really a pisser.

 

[Budnicks]

Like others have said, "I'm not a big fan of the Edelbrock Carbs "at all" either, but I'm sure there are the exceptions to the rule... But every time, I see a thread about them, I always think about saying, "just take it off & put on a Quickfuel or Holley" or Proform or a Demon even, but any derivative of the Holley type design & quit banging your head against the dang wall"... The definition of "insanity" is; doing the same thing over & over again & expecting a different result, each time... Some people are in love with them & sware by the Edelbrock carbs & I'm by far not, one of those people {sorry if this is insulting or offends those of you out there, that love them, I don't want or care about a response, that's my opinions & it won't be changed now}.... And unless it's a "basic street car", very mild performance upgrades "if any" or maybe multiple carbs because of fit issues only or originality look, restoration, some race, sanctioning, class or track rules, I won't use even them... Edelbrock makes some great products, I'm the 1st one that will sware by them, BUT I don't like their carbs & prefer not to ever use them anymore I'm completely done with them {unless it's a rustoration project, then maybe, just maybe, I might consider it, if I can't find a real Carter}, like I said before there are some exceptions to the rule, but very few examples... Just look at or Google Search, all the complaint threads, all over the w-w-w on all the Mopar sites & even here on FBBO, just about tuning issues & especially stumbling or weird flat spot issues/problems, then the heat soak issues, jetting, squirter, acc.pump, float adjustments, they go on & on, then you can't really find or get proper tech support or jets/metering rods or very few places or have them or you to modify those parts to make them work also... If you have to run a Carter style carb, then get an old AFB, AVS or Themoquad, go thru it or have an expert go thru it, for you & not buy a Weber/Carter Edelbrock knock off, unless your prepared to deal with the many issues, that many people seem to always have to deal with & if you do choose to buy or own one, get all the tuning books or lititure & website help, that you can get your hands on, or make friends with an expert on them, because you will need all of them... Sorry to all you guys who think they are the cats meow, or tits on a ritz, they aren't in my eyes or experiences anyway, can you tell I've been fed up with them a few times ??...LOL... my $0.02 cents, rant over Good luck, you will need it...LOL...

 

[Dennis H]

Unable to get a stumble out of the Edelbrock at rebuild time. Went with a Demon instead. 850 Mighty Demon runs sweet and smooth. Nice manual choke.

 

[terzmo]

seen all the posts about which carb and it's like hard core chevy/mopar/ford people who will never change because they are "locked" into one brand of car. Heard that edelbrock is great for mileage but not performance compared to holley. I have run all the carbs,currently have an edelbrock on a very mild 440 and it runs extremely well and quick. As one person stated, "basicly", they're all good when running well. My preference over a holley is pro form as they have more features for the money. Cost wise..an edelbrock would do as well without the features. I would not swap any on my car now just for performance issues as I believe it's running as good as it gets

 

[Durandal25]

Budnicks,

If I were to go the Holley route, what would you recommend for a stock 383 HP motor sir?

 

[rumblefish360]

I have to ask this question. You said you have a Thunder series carb. They come in a 650 and 800 CFM rating. This is a large difference. Which one is it you have. Depending on the build and the cars useage, an 800 would be a bit much on top a 383.

Off idle stumes can be a timing issue. Not enough initial.
Also, there can be a (not easy to see with the naked eye) bent linkage. The arm that goes to the pumpshot lever should have no play in it. Squirt fuel instantly. And start with the arm in the hole closest to the main body of the carb. There is a measurement of how high the tip of the lever should be as measured from the top plate upwards to the lever tip. This measurement is adjusted and achieved by bending the linkage.

I have always have had good luck with the Carter carbs and mostly good luck with the Edelbrocks. Edelbrock said there updated in the fuel circuits. What was done I do not know.

I became pretty good (not great) with the Carter's because of money issues and broken Holley (baseplate) parts. The base plate was neat as much as a new carb. Not having the money, an old boss gave me his 630 AVS to borrow. I loved it. It blew away the 600DP I had on the 318.

I find that a properly sized and a well tuned carb from what ever manufacturer will perform well. While the Holley is known for a few pony's up top, you'll be hard pressed to feel a difference in street, street/strip rides. I like the AVS over the AFB. But both should be just fine for daily useage without constant tinkering and tuning.

 

[RacerRick]

I like the edelbrocks for drivers and holleys for race cars. I have both on various cars and they all work great as long as they are spec'd and tuned right. I always use thick phenolic carb baseplate gaskets, and haven't had a problem with vapor lock (knock on wood) yet.

 

[adamst56]

Just to make this more complex, I like FAST TB EFI. It is real nice to get in and hit the key and have it turn over and idle smoothly.

 

[rumblefish360]

Good mention! Use a thick gasket under the Edelbrock carbs. The factory used a thick gasket under there carbs. You should too. It will stop fuel percolation and help tune the engine. Runs cool in the driveway even at running temp. But after a good drive, the carb will get heated up really good with a thin gasket.
The phenolic spacer is a good sub part.