What carb for 440

[66 Sat]

Ah, yes the Holley vac carb. Didn't do to well against a 625 AFB [ see below ]. Made less tq, less hp & used more fuel....

Over on FABO, you will see a thread where a Poly Stroker engine had a 600 vac sec Holley removed & replaced with a Edel AVS2. When the owner went for a test drive with the AVS & went to WOT, he thought the trans had kicked down to 2nd such was the acceleration improvement. But no, still in high gear....The smelly was also gone....

View attachment 1578982

Hold on, hold on..that was me and you're cherry picking my comments to suit your argument. I asked the question on A bodies because they have more small blocks over there.
I've had a Holley 1850, 600 vac sec on the car for 4 years. The cheapest most basic 600 Holley. Performs faultlessly. I've also got an old Holley 700 D/P that was was on the car when I bought it. The car is a bit faster with this bigger carb and I swap them around for fun.
I wanted to try something else and after A LOT of research and debate I bought a Edelbrock AVS2 650.
It's been on the car for a week and I have mixed feelings about it.
It's true that the wide open throttle acceleration felt stronger than the 600 Holley (and similar to the 700 D/P).
It's true that I used to get an "engine smell" after full throttle with both Holleys that is absent with the AVS2.
However...the low speed throttle response of the AVS2 is weaker than both Holleys, which I was not expecting. I'm assuming it's a tuning issue.
There's a big full throttle bog as well that I'm trying to tune out, which is a fairly common issue.
I also think the Holleys are built better. The linkages on the Edelbrock all have lots of play in them, held together by tiny clips. It feels a bit cheap. The Holley linkages feel more solid, better quality.

So, the jury is still out. I've got to tune this carb properly before I can give a verdict.

 

[Geoff 2]

66 Sat,
I am not cherry picking your comments. Go back & read what YOU said in post #118.
Apart from what I quoted from you above in post #41, you also made these comments:
- it took off so fast
- clearly more to give
- out of the box

Those comments are self supporting & need no further explanation

 

[Geoff 2]

66 Sat.
I suggest you go back to your Holley, make yourself happy. You complain about the float design, the circlips, linkages etc. These bits have stood the test of time. 60+ yrs to be exact.....
Have yet to see people complaining about them on any forum...other than you.

 

[threewood]

Merry Christmas to you too! You guys definitely got me leaning toward the AVS2. Would the 800cfm still be responsive at low to mid throttle?

Yes. I had the AVS2 on my 440. Punch it and it would burn the tires off the rims. Single plane intake. It is a great, responsive carb that will run right out of the box. The only reason I don't still have it is because I went fuel injection.

 

[66 Sat]

I hate to clog this thread up or hijack it but I do need to defend my integrity after it was queried.
The comments below are directly from the thread I started in A Bodies. I'd also like to say that I believe Geoff is a good guy and very knowledgeable. I've spoken to him on the phone and he's a helpful, solid guy. He might just get a bit over excited when it comes to Carter/Edelbrock vs Holley.

These are my comments about the AVS2 I recently purchased:

I'm very excited to see how good the throttle response is going to be after hearing all these good things about it.
Later...
First impressions: smaller and lighter than the Holley 1850 600, and way lighter than the 700 double pumper.
Seems a quality piece, MADE IN THE USA is reassuring, looking forward to getting it installed. I'll take the top off on the weekend and have a look inside.
Later...
So I set the floats and locked off the choke by putting a thick washer onto the shaft where it pivots and tightening it down.
The floats were way off from what the manual specs are. There are 2 settings. First you have to set them with the top of the carb upside down. I set them at 7/16". Then you turn it over and set the hang. I set them at 1".
It's all a bit imprecise for my liking, bending arms and tabs. I'd prefer a solid arm and a screw adjustment but I suppose they are all like this, it's the first time I've done this. I just think bending metal leads to fatigue and possible changes over time.
Later...
Well I've been driving for 2 days now with the new carb and I'm happy with it but surprised as well.
I was expecting great low speed, part throttle response with the smaller primaries, but it's no different to the Holley. However, give it the full beans and it's definitely got more torque. On the first run yesterday I punched it on the highway in D at about 60mph and after a momentary bog it took it off so fast I thought it had kickdowned into 2nd.
Later...
Today I did a few short runs of about 10 miles after fiddling with the accelerator pump arm (putting it back to the center hole from the leanest setting I did have). Not much difference, so I put it back to the leanest hole again when I got home and tightened the secondary flap screw slightly. Haven't tested this change yet.
This is basically "out of the box" with only my rudimentary adjustments during some very hot (95-100° weather), so it's clearly got more to give.
One big plus - on both my Holleys if I got on the throttle heavy I would always smell the engine in the cabin.
With this Edelbrock, I can go full throttle and no smell at all.
Later...
I checked the accelerator pump and it works, even squirt both sides.
Haven't done the other test yet, will report back when I get there.
More street driving impressions, car feels slightly stronger in full throttle applications but weaker than the Holley in general loafing around. Not what I was expecting at all, must be a tuning issue.

 

[Geoff 2]

66 Sat,
I might have been a bit harsh [ above ], so I apologise if that is the case.

I wish you luck with the car.

 

[old guys rule]

Holley or Edelbrock

Blonde or Brunette

Whiskey or Brandy

Santa Claus or Easter Bunny

Bingo!

 

[Napoleon1991]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. After all of your comments and a bit more research, I think I’ll take my chances with the AVS2 and see how I like it. Can’t seem to find too many negative comments about it and its relatively cheap. I’ll update this after I get it and let you all know how it performs.

 

[Some Car Guy]

I guess, using the same vane, a "Dizzy" is used interchangeable with the correct terminology for a DISTRIBUTOR.....I guess society prefers slang terminology vs the real word.....although not sure why....perhaps it's laziness or maybe the person using the term just not know how to spell ?.....something to think about.....
BOB RENTON

Says the guy who typed this abortion…

“OEM AN OTIGIONAL CARTER“

 

[Sinitro]

Just revue all the different comments...
Basically there is no perfectly tuned carburator out-of-the-box. Yes, there is a slight chance it may work well upon install but not likely..
Today many new carburators are tuned on the lean side for emissions..
However one carburator has been mentioned more than others and that is a Holley.
IMHO...
A Holley carburator is EZ to tune if U understand its basics, and its multiple internal parts are readily available..

Just my $0.02...

 

[MarPar]

At one point I probably had 10 carbs

That would be one hell of an intake!!




Annuder vote for an Edelbrock

 

[Houle #382]

I realize I’m going to get a ton of different answers with this one, but im looking for some suggestions on what type of carb to go with. Engine is a 440, 10:1 compression with a voodoo 703 cam. It has TTI headers, a performer intake, 727 transmission and 355 gears. It has a reman Quadrajet on it right now and im tired of messing with it trying to get it idling smoothly. I’m leaning towards Holly or quick fuel, definitely something with vacuum secondaries. Any help pointing out the pros or cons of different carbs or what CFM size I need would be appreciated.

I have a mild build 440 .03 over 440 source aluminum heads, hydraulic roller .600 lift intake .584 exhaust [email protected] 235/250 Edelbrock performer RPM intake stock exhaust manifolds 4 speed w/3:54 dana and I'm running a Edelbrock 650 AVS-2 and this car flat out runs. The only thing I changed on the carb was the factory red springs to the pink springs and changed the secondaries from.098's to .104's and this car pulls hard. Lots of people have said the 650 is too small until they can't catch me. It's easier to over carb than under carb

 

[ChargerChad]

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1908-inside-look-new-edelbrock-avs2-carburetor/
I would consider a 800cfm avs2. EDL 1913
It is the only edelbrock that I would consider.

+++on the 800 AVS for any 440 street car.

 

[Gus chiggins]

I have a 383 that was rated right at 400 hp on the dyno, but with parasitic loss, maybe 375....ish. i'm running a 750 cfm Edelbrock, other carbs are good. I know Edelbrock does not get a lot of love, but they are easier to work on for me. I just don't have any experience with Holley.

Ok, what's with the red x. Some weasel who's a die hard holley fan boi? AndyFT6...pppfft.

 

[Gus chiggins]

I guess, using the same vane, a "Dizzy" is used interchangeable with the correct terminology for a DISTRIBUTOR.....I guess society prefers slang terminology vs the real word.....although not sure why....perhaps it's laziness or maybe the person using the term just not know how to spell ?.....something to think about.....
BOB RENTON

If you are going to call somebody out on their spelling, you might want to check to see how you spelled "original" in your post. If you like your holley, you can keep your holley. The word "vane" is used in the wrong context, if you want to get technical. You brought out the grammer monster in me.

 

[RemCharger]

Ok, what's with the red x. Some weasel who's a die hard holley fan boi? AndyFT6...pppfft.

Wouldn't get too worked up about it, guys never posted here once. Looks like a fat thumb scroll.

 

[Gus chiggins]

Wouldn't get too worked up about it, guys never posted here once. Looks like a fat thumb scroll.

I thought about that after I posted, to quick to return fire.

 

[Gus chiggins]

Holley or Edelbrock

Blonde or Brunette

Whiskey or Brandy

Santa Claus or Easter Bunny

To me, it's what you are comfortable to work on. Blonde, or brunette, pita.
Santa claus...cooler gifts.
Whiskey.....painkiller.

 

[Cranky]

If you are going to call somebody out on their spelling, you might want to check to see how you spelled "original" in your post. If you like your holley, you can keep your holley. The word "vane" is used in the wrong context, if you want to get technical. You bought out the grammer monster in me.

'bought' lol

 

[Gus chiggins]

'bought' lol

Missed a keystroke.