Holley vs Edelbrock Carbs

I have a 600 Edelbrock (1406 I believe) on my totally stock 289 A code, and it worked great right out of the box. Had to modify the linkage a little, but that's it. Just a basic idle mixture adjustment, choke adjustment and it has been trouble free and much more responsive than the stock Autolite (which probably needed rebuilding).
Haven't had a Holley for some time, but they are good carbs also. I just heard the Edelbrock was easier to tune and I got a good deal on it.

I've had both and definitely recommend the Edelbrock 500 or Edelbrock 600. On my first buildup, my Holley was rebuilt twice and I could never get it right. I switched over to the Edelbrock 600 and my troubles were over.

For my next buildup, I went with a dual quad intake and two Edelbrock 500's and they are finely tuned and work in perfection with each other. I bought a calibration kit for each one and changed the metering rods, jets, and springs without leakage all over the intake. They're very simple to tune and even come with a 20+ page guide on how to tune them. I recommend a calibration kit to go with it.

Also, I've heard many people claim that you can't make power with them. Well, I've run 12.70's-12.80's @ 107-110 with two of them. Once I get my 60' times down, I'll be in the low 12's.

snowball said:

Thanks. Must admit I hadn't considered a two barrell. What are the advantages of a Holley 2 barrell over the Autolite? BTW, headers are part of the shopping list a bit later on.

Click to expand...

The Autolite is a really simple carb to rebuild, just that in the few I've done, they've always had problems. Last one had warm start issues. Took it off and replaced it with a Holley 500 that I bought (used) off a member here and it worked flawlessly. Had this same carb on three different engines and it worked as well on each. For one the Holley float adjustment is easier than the Autolite and not guess work(that may have been the problem with the last one). Otherwise the mixture and idle speed adjustments are similar. I see now that you've got a Performer intake with a 2 bbl , I was under the impression that you had a stock 2 bbl intake. If you want both Performance and fuel mileage go with a 4 bbl, you can always disable the secondaries to give you the mileage and to overcome your foot's temptation in opening them on demand. On a Holley vac. sec. carb all that's necessary to do this is remove the "C" clip securing the vacuum rod to the throttle shaft, it can be readily replaced whenever you want. An even easier retainer here is to use a small rubber "O" ring in place of the clip. Easier both to take off and replace than that tiny assed "C" clip.

A holley is FAR more adjustable than the edelbrocks. Yes most of the time they will bolt on and run. But the small tuning issues is what will be the problem. Mainly the pumps ( or the lack there of.) Most of the time they fall on there face when stabbed becaus the secondaries have no pumps. But they aren't really a vacuum secondary either. Holley's are either or. the pumps are very adjustable, to include how much, and how fast you want a shot of fuel. Every motor is different. Edelbrocks have 3 adjustments, and all three are linear. So make one of the three changes and hope it works, because that is all you get.

I have an edelbrock on the car now, and i just got a holley 650 double pumper rebuilt for a dollar from my uncle! lol

Im putting it on tonight ill let ya know what I think!

rmdhokie said:

I have the 500 cfm Edelbrock #1403 (auto choke) and was very easy to install and performs great. Select your carb based on your engine build. The last thing you want is an over-carb'd engine that performs poorly.

Click to expand...

I totally agree. My 65 289 with the same gears and about the same setup has a 500 cfm Edelbrock and has been great. I do not race it but do drive it daily. 16.5 hwy nad 14 cith with enough power to burn rubber if I feel wastfull. Also very easy to tune.

That sounds a bit low for a stock 289. My wife's 427 Corvette gets 17mpg, my stock 289 got about 20-ish. A 500cfm carb on a small block should at least get the same mileage as a bigger motored, heavier car, don't you think?

zookeeper said:

That sounds a bit low for a stock 289. My wife's 427 Corvette gets 17mpg, my stock 289 got about 20-ish. A 500cfm carb on a small block should at least get the same mileage as a bigger motored, heavier car, don't you think?

Click to expand...

427 gets 17 mpg.. yeah right.

I would believe 7.

Theres no definite answer to this, its almost a religious question by now. Ive had plenty of Holleys, just happen to be using a E-bok right now, but that could change tomorrow

Hack said:

427 gets 17 mpg.. yeah right.

I would believe 7.

Click to expand...

I believe him. My 427 Stang used to get 15-20 out on the highway at 70-80 mph. You're talking about an 11+to 1 compressioned big block that takes very little throttle to keep it going at those speeds. If you can keep your right foot disciplined, up to 20 mpg is possible. My Mom's old 70 Olds Delta 88 with a 455 used to get 20 mpg regularly at freeway speeds.

Hissing Cobra said:

Also, I've heard many people claim that you can't make power with them. Well, I've run 12.70's-12.80's @ 107-110 with two of them. Once I get my 60' times down, I'll be in the low 12's.

Click to expand...

then can make power....i ran a 12.60 with a 750 edelbrock but i had the biggest jets drilled out in the front and back and smallest metering rods and lightest springs


for pure street driven, i would go with the edelbrock 600, no matter what anyone says- it is less tempermental.

12sec67 said:

then can make power....i ran a 12.60 with a 750 edelbrock but i had the biggest jets drilled out in the front and back and smallest metering rods and lightest springs

.

Click to expand...

Then you swapped it out for a box stock holley 650 and dropped time first time out to the track, too.