Help decode this Holley carb 3878261-EH

[Scott Moody]

I have a Holley carb for sale on ebay and some have suggested that it might be a factory carb. The numbers are 3878261-EH, List 3310, and 052. I understand it to be a 780 cfm vac secondary. What was the application, if any? Help and thanks. The auction link is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7940899748

[Joe L.]

Re: Help decode this Holley carb 3878261-EH

Scott-----

The Holley 3310 was originally used on 1965 Chevelles with Z-16. This is a very rare application. However, a LOT of 3310 carbs were sold over-the-counter and yours is one of those. The date code indicates that it was manufactured in the second week of May, 1970.

[G B.]

Good carb; many versions

The 3310 was Holley's break through into hot rod aftermarket sales. It's been sold in about 4 versions since the mid-sixties. The initial version had a hot air choke, later designs used a manual choke. I believe the 3310 is still sold today.

I've read the application charts that say it was used on the '65 396 Chevelle. However, I've never owned one of those 200 or so rare Chevelles. Those cars were so scarce in the sixties that I never saw one on the street. And I was looking, too. They got some good press for GM and led to the popularity of the '66 SS396.

Most of the '65 396 Chevelles seemed to go to high profile owners initially. Maybe GM had a hand in that, I dunno. I do know that the Chevy dealers in Shreveport, LA had no clue about them before and even after their release.

[Verle R.]

Re: Good carb; many versions

One Z-16 Chevelle came to Tulsa, Ok about June of 65. The sticker price was $5500, more than the Corvettes then, and it sat in that showroom for about six months before it finally sold. It was around the area for four or five years, changed hands at least three times before the final owner wiped himself and the car out.

I didn't care for the color (yellow, black vinyl top, black interior) but I lusted after the car.

Verle

[Verle R.]

Re: Good carb; many versions

Forgot to include reason for reply, I bought one of those carburetors in 1966 and installed on my 65 L79. Still have the car and the carburetor.

Verle

[Mike McKown]

Re: Good carb; many versions

A red one came to VV Cooke Chevrolet in Louisville in the Spring of '65. It sat on the showroom for a couple months. Didn't sell because of the price. A friend of mine finally bought it. Traded his '63 SWC and $3000 for it. He had it about a year when he replaced the carburetor because it didn't run right. He gave me the carb. I still have it. He kept the car about 15 years as his wife drove it daily. I think Floyd Garret had it for awhile. Last I heard the car was in the Carolina's.

[G B.]

Well?

What is the list number on that original carb?

[Mike McKown]

Re: Well?

The part number is 3878261 EH

The date is 531. First week of March, '65.

List # is 3310.

I have an almost twin to this carb sitting beside it. First digit of the part # is an 8 instead of a 3 and the date is 973, third week of July, 1969. Otherwise, it looks identical. I believe the metering blocks are even the same. I can't find any Holly reference for this number. Must have been a mistamp.