Replacing The Original Holley On My L79

[Jace H.]

I am on the 3rd rebuild of the original Holley carb on my 67 L79. It still leaks and is hard to start after sitting for a short time. I think I want to replace it with an aftermarket carb that will give me better starting and performance without the leaks. I need some advise / recommendations on what to get and what if any mods I will need to make. I would like to keep everything else stock. I am done judging the car (2005 National Top Flight) I appreciate any help here.

Thanks,
Jace Holt
28944

[Michael S.]

Re: Replacing The Original Holley On My L79

Jace-

I had the same issue with my original Holley ('67 327/350 hp)though I did not utilize any of the top rebuilders noted on this board- I should have. I did buy a Holley Muscle Car Replacement 3810, new. It was around $550. It has been excellent. Another trick. Todays pump gas sucks. I buy VP Red Racing Fuel (105 octane) in 5 gallon cans. Add one per tank. Does wonders for hot start, cold start and overall driveability.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Replacing The Original Holley On My L79

Jace,

I think I would stick with a 3810, even a replacement dated one. If you get one of these newer generic's you'll have to redo your fuel inlet line. I think the key to no leaks on an original or replacement 3810 is to have the surfaces of the body(metering and bottom surfaces) machined flat.

If the secondary metering plate is warped, it can be belt back flat. The metering block can be replaced if warped, as well as the throttle plate assembly. The blue resilient gasket sets are very forgiving for leaks from the fuel bowls but if you have one banged up and leaking at the caps or inlet, new ones are available.

The picture below is a 3810 dated 751 which has had all of the above things done to it. It runs like a clock, no leaks at all. Gave me recently 17 mpg at 65mph(average) for 1400 miles. Could have probably done 20 mpg if I held it down to an average of 55.

I had a 4776 double pumper on my 67 for many years (about 25), it leaked too, and was rebuilt about 3 times. But when I put this original on, I then remembered how well the car performed when it was new.

Your original carb is probably worth $300-400 as is, $600-800 restored. You can probably get a Kragen's generic replacement for $250.

But you only have your original carb once. (Want to sell it)

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Paul L.]

Re: Replacing The Original Holley On My L79

This will be heresy on this board but here goes. I gave up on the Holley on my 1967 for the reasons you mentioned and several more. I wanted leak- and trouble-free performance for my sunny, Sunday afternoon drives. So I installed an Edelbrock #1406. That was two years ago and that unit has been flawless. While I used to worry about an engine fire every time I drove, I now do not even think of that occurrence. My garage is odor-free after shutdown. My car used to be a worry, now it is a pleasure.

Some mods are necessary but they are minor. The Holley (and accompanying parts)is stored away for any future owner who wishes to revert back. It has been rebuilt by an expert and is no doubt OK now but I just don't trust the darn thing.

[Jay G.]

Re: Replacing The Original Holley On My L79

I've also given up on Holley. Notorious for leaking. Got Edelbrock on my 67 L-79. Running Edelbrock carbs on my 69 X-22 Camaro 396 and the 69 396 Nova L-78 for the past year. If your done judging, for driveability I found these were the best. We also live a 8K feet in Colo. The engines run cool at 180 degrees or less, with no performance issues. At lower alt. should even be better.

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: Replacing The Original Holley On My L79

it looks good on there!

[Les Jacobs]

Patrick-Info Pls

Patrick I too went to the E 1406 , replacing a Carter on my 63 L76. It runs like a dream w/o the attendant fuel smell after effects. I had to give up the original air filter and not happy with the cheesy replacement. (I was concerned about hood clearance so went with a smaller one) Yours looks great! What make/model/ is it? Les

[Les Jacobs]

Re: Patrick-Sorry I meant Paul.

Paul I too went to the E 1406 , replacing a Carter on my 63 L76. It runs like a dream w/o the attendant fuel smell after effects. I had to give up the original air filter and not happy with the cheesy replacement. (I was concerned about hood clearance so went with a smaller one) Yours looks great! What make/model/ is it? Les

[Paul L.]

Re: Patrick-Sorry I meant Paul.

Les,
That is an Edelbrock base. I do not recall the part number. I used it to retain the 14" filter and it is designed to clear the electric choke. The Holley base did not.

I had to fab a hose for the crankcase vent as the Edelbrock spout is smaller in diameter. I basically just fitted a smaller rubber hose on the spout and inside the larger GM hose. It's not too Bubba, works, and is virtually unseen when all parts are fastened together.

The Edelbrock setup sits higher than the Holley and initially I had to go to a 14 x 2" filter. I had a 427/stinger hood installed during a paintjob about a year ago and now I am back to 3".

[Les Jacobs]

Tnx Paul-The shine on your engine hurts my eyes. *NM*

[Paul L.]

Re: Tnx Paul-The shine on your engine hurts my eye

Sorry Les. I am getting things clean for the 2006 driving season. BTW, the valve covers are not chrome, just polished Paragon repros.

[Bob #36542]

Re: L79

I too did this swap just this weekend (before reading this) on my 67 L79. I resealed the orig (while watching Barrett Jackson...) and it ran GREAT all spring until a few weeks ago. It started choking after about 15 minutes of driving & fully warmed up (like driving on 4/8 cyl). I am planning on fully tearing down & trying again but needed to chime in on the E1406 running great - very drivable & it was killing me not having the car on the road. BTW also made this switch on my Olds 442 and have the orig W30 rebuilt on the shelf & never looked back (not judging).