Edelbrock vs Holley

65fastbackresto

Active Member
Apr 13, 2007
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I`ve hated my Edelbrock 600 cfm since the day I got my car running (one year ago) and found a place that will give me a rebuilt holley 600 that is flow benched for $145 with an exchange carb.

My edelbrock is acting weird, the flaps at the base of the carb are open on the back 2 barrels, which I understand is not right, and it runs like crap too unless its wot. I`ve never gotten any more then 4 to 5 mpg either.

Being as I`m new to the car hobby, I have no idea if I`m making a good move or not here, any advise would be appreciated.
 
I had a carter 500 cfm, which is basically the same thing as Edelbrock and it was an OK carb. I recently switched to an Autolite 4100 because I heard nothing but good opinions about it (that and its pretty fuel efficient). I have also heard great things about holley, but never had any experiance with them.
 
I`ve hated my Edelbrock 600 cfm since the day I got my car running (one year ago) and found a place that will give me a rebuilt holley 600 that is flow benched for $145 with an exchange carb.

My edelbrock is acting weird, the flaps at the base of the carb are open on the back 2 barrels, which I understand is not right, and it runs like crap too unless its wot. I`ve never gotten any more then 4 to 5 mpg either.

Being as I`m new to the car hobby, I have no idea if I`m making a good move or not here, any advise would be appreciated.

Eh. I had the Edelbrock 600 like you did, and it did always have that bog. But it ran right out of the box, and was really easy to tune/play with... loved how convenient the metering rods/springs/jets were to get at.

I have a Holley 670 Street Avenger now and it doesn't run nearly as well out of the box (despite Holley advertising to the contrary). Choke stays on too long, idle speed was off, etc. That said, it does make more power and there isn't the 'bog' anymore. My issues aren't hard to fix, though Ive been too lazy to get around to fixing them.

But the Edelbrocks are good for what they're designed to be.
 
did you buy the edelbrock new or used? it sounds like someone messes with the carb and screwed things up. i have had a couple of edelbrocks now, and they have run the best of all the carbs i have used, except for the 4100 autolite i used on my old 289. i have always had problems with holleys going dead rich after a few months of running them.
 
Eh. I had the Edelbrock 600 like you did, and it did always have that bog. But it ran right out of the box, and was really easy to tune/play with... loved how convenient the metering rods/springs/jets were to get at.

I have a Holley 670 Street Avenger now and it doesn't run nearly as well out of the box (despite Holley advertising to the contrary). Choke stays on too long, idle speed was off, etc. That said, it does make more power and there isn't the 'bog' anymore. My issues aren't hard to fix, though Ive been too lazy to get around to fixing them.

But the Edelbrocks are good for what they're designed to be.
Remove all the choke Bullsquash and I'll bet your troubles will disappear.
 
I`ve hated my Edelbrock 600 cfm since the day I got my car running (one year ago) and found a place that will give me a rebuilt holley 600 that is flow benched for $145 with an exchange carb.

My edelbrock is acting weird, the flaps at the base of the carb are open on the back 2 barrels, which I understand is not right, and it runs like crap too unless its wot. I`ve never gotten any more then 4 to 5 mpg either.

Being as I`m new to the car hobby, I have no idea if I`m making a good move or not here, any advise would be appreciated.

Do the Holley. :nice: Although I'm not a fan of the 1850/80457 Holley 600's (they look better after a bowl swap though) It's a better carb than an Edelbrock.
 
Is 600 cfm appropriate for my application?

302 bored .30 over. 10 to 1 comp. Cam is just under .500 lift with 1.6 roller rockers. Edelbrock heads with 1.90 in and 1.60 exh valves with matching intake. Patriot try y headers. I`ve been told that running an autolite or carter is gonna be way less trouble and run almost as well.
 
I put a slightly used Holley 4 barrel on my 66 about 5 years ago and could never get it tuned right. I later found out that is was only because I'm an idiot. I found a shop where one of the guys used to be a tech for Holley and said that his family and Vic Edelbrocks family were close friends. That being said, both he and the guy that owned the shop said that Holley's are a much better carb. They tuned my Holley up somethin fierce. I was considering fuel injecting the car because I was so sick of the carb bs, but now I get a semi every time I fire up the car.
 
Overall I`d say people like Holleys better

Then Edelbrocks so far. I was just told a 570 Holley Street Avenger would be better for my application, but I`m already commited to the 600 cfm that I`m picking up this afternoon.

I`ll be installing it tommorow and will update when i can.
 
good choice....


ive got a 600CFM on a 289 .03 over performer intake, cam w/ just under .5" lift......real similar to yours only its a hydraulic flat tappet cam. tell ya what, i had just a scosh of hesitation on it, and I found out there's a holley tech over here in Brookings that I'm planning on taking it to (just haven't got around to it yet) but i put on a 1" spacer....man that helped the hes. by a bit.

i tell ya what, there is nothing.....absolutely nothing.....like hearing and feeling that car when the secondaries kick in ;)