ok..here`s another one..i`m going to be running a 6-71 on top of a sbc(of course) and was wondering what type of carb is better..i always had luck with the holleys but a friend tells me the predator carbs are something to try also..hmmmmmm whats a guy to do????

I know I haven't seen everything but the only thing I have seen the Predators work well on are pulling trucks and tractors. I would go with something like a 3310 Holley or if you don't care for them I would go with one of Carter or Edelbrocks AFBs.
Good luck.

Lynn,My only experience with a blower is a GM 502 w/671 topped with 2-500cfm Edelbrocks.The car performs flawlessly!I have used 600 Edelbrocks on several SB's over the years and am 100% satisfied.The best thing is they can generally be bolted on right out of the box with minimal adjustment.Good Luck!! See Ya!!
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DARYLE

I wouldn't use a HOLLEY if they gave me the company! 2yrs ago I bought a 750 holley and the base was 35 thousands warped (385.00) tried for 6 mos. to get it replaced and I still have it on my shelf with a big sign on it saying HOLLEY REFUSED TO REFUND MY MONEY ON THIS PIECE OF----! I get questioned a couple times a week about it !! Buy a edelbrock you will have less headaches and it's a better outfit to deal with if you have trouble with it you send it in and they send you a new one with or without the recipt!
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bowtie36mc

About 2 years ago I bought a Holley 390 for my 229 cu in v6 chevy. It sat on the shelf for a year before it was installed. After installation it was time to break in the cam and I cranked it up after an initial warm up to about 2000 rpm. After a couple of minutes I started to smell gas and found it dribbling out of the secondary end of the crossover tube. Since I didn't want to stop in the middle, I held a rag on it and prayed. Then more gas from the vent tubes!! I finally shut it down in disgust. It eventually took a complete rebuild kit with the good reuseable type gaskets. Now, it leaks gas from the rear butterfly shaft and there shouldn't even be gas there!!! I can grab the end of the shaft and move it!! How could it wear out a shaft bushing in less than a thousand miles!!!!! I even went so far as to almost shut off the fuel in the rear cover with the float settings...I wouldn't give 10 cents for a truckload of Holleys.....Problem is, the displacement is just small enough that nothing else will jet down unless I go to a 2 barrel and I'll put the car on blocks first.
Oh yeah, I had to put a pressure regulator in series with the fuel input and set it to 2.5 lbs........What a PO*
The intake is an Edelbrock Performer ......any ideas??
It's still on and running but seeping fuel from the rear shaft. I supose it could be leaking elsewhere and running out on the shaft but I'm tired of fooling with a piece of junk which = wasted money...Fred P
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Fred P.

Holleys hate dirt, sounds like you picked up some, or you didn`t set the float correctly, Holleys aint for everyone. Ya gotta run them at least 5 to 7 lbs of fuel pressure, so that tells me the float level was incorrect. Get an Edelbrock, it`ll be easier on your patients. Send that POS to me, I`ll give it a good home...LOL

I've got an Edelbrock 600cfm on my 350 sb and everything about it is great, except one. I can't figure out why *sometimes* it bogs down like it's running on 4 cylinders. The engine will run fine for a while then start staggering like it's getting no fuel. I've pulled off the top of the carb a couple of times & resent the floats, I've knocked on the side of the carb with a screwdriver handle (thinking it might be a stuck float), etc. but nothing works.
Any ideas?

Sounds like vapor lock, try using a phenolic or insulating spacer under the carb. You are probably boiling the fuel in the bowl. Also check your fuel pressure and your filters.
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If it`s too loud...yer too freakin old

It could be sticking, beat harder.
I think Ed is leading you the right way. From what I understand, a carb either works, sticks, or it doesnt work properly at all. And there isnt a whole lot of in-between.
Sounds like either vapor lock, or perhaps your fuel tank isnt vented properly and its creating a vaccum. Or perhaps if you have an electric fuel pump, that could be a source.
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Damn, I wish I had more time.
35 Ford Pick-Up

Personally, I would avoid the Predators if it is going to get a lot of street driving. They get lousy gas mileage compared to a regular carburetor. They are relatively simple in their design, easy to tune, and have a great look, but ultimately you would be happier with a pair of Edelbrocks or Holley's. Check with the blower manufacturer and get their recommendation. When I purchased a blower from B&M a number of years ago, they were right on with their recommendations.
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Lynn
'32 3W

My choice would be Edelbrock. I put a dual quad Edelbrock setup on my 454. Ran perfect right out of the box.
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Lynn Stallbaumer

If your not going to actually RACE it, then my choice would also be anything Non-Holley. Unless you acutally like tuning and adjusting the carb on a more frequent basis than you turn the key that is! But, these are only opnions. If $$$ isnt a problem, and you perfer Holley designed carbs, the Deamon line is basically a Holley, with most of the associated problems fixed!
Kinda similar as Edlebrock is basically a Carter, without the troubles.
I too took my Edlebrock straight out of the box for my 390 FE and it has been wonderful!
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Damn, I wish I had more time.
35 Ford Pick-Up

The only problem I find with Holley carburaters is the owners usually lack the knowledge of the carb. Or worse yet...fear it. They are really precise mixers, set em up correctly and you get years of service. Those out of box carbs are great too for the less knowlegable and the one who cares less about serious tuning. Yes I use them too and agree.

I agree if you know a little about carbs and like to tune -it right to the edge you cant beat the holley. I use the edlebrock on the checkbook cars,easy but not easy like a holley to tune. Were did you get that holley with the warped plate?? I have had NO trouble with my supplier on holley stuff but everybody gets nailed now and then.I find the plates screwed up when the customer overtightens a corner.Maybe someone allready returned your carb.I would be on the phone for a long time before i let it slide.
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Drive like you stole it !!

I got it thru a local parts dealer (NAPA) I don't do business with them anymore either! But I use Edlebrock and order them direct!
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bowtie36mc

I always try to use my local parts dealer for things that aren't specialty items--they guys have helped me out and are always asking how the car is coming. I went in the other day to order FelPro head gaskets for some AFR heads. When I went in later in the week to pick them up--Holy S**t--they were $116.00 for the pair. Could have gotten them from Sallee Chevrolet for $66.00. Oh, well. Live and learn. Maybe its the price one has to pay once in a while to have a good auto aarts store in town.
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Lynn
'32 3W

Lynn I try to buy local too but not from Napa but I always check local last! Because I've run into that myself! LOL
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bowtie36mc

That is me Ed!!
We have a Holley on our puller tractor cause....well, we need it.
But on anything I drive, Im not too smooth at carb tuning, so the Eldebrock works great for me! My brother has a Holley on his PU and has had to rebuild it once already, and I did just drag him home after it crapped out on him about a mile from the shop a couple months ago.

Those guys that learn how to work on them and adjust them always have little kits to carry extra power valves, and spare secondaries springs.... they swear by Holley! If you take the time and effort to learn them, then any decent carb you run will work, as youll know how to actually fix its woes! (Basically what Ed just said)

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Damn, I wish I had more time.
35 Ford Pick-Up

I am running the speed demon 750 on my smallblock. It really looks to be a quality item. I don't have the rod completed yet so I haven't put any time or miles on it. I chose it because it really looked "quality made". The metering blocks are billet aluminum and really machined well...no cavities that don't belong where they shouldn't be.Everyone runs a Holley it seems like...I wanted to try something different...always trying to buck the system and be different.
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Cap'n Kelly

I have run Holley's and I think if you want to dump a lot of fuel then that is what you should use. On the other hand if you want preformance and economy then go with an Edelbrock preformer...
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Grump

I'm running dual 625 Carter AFB's on my 454 and I'm not very happy with them. Yes they are easy to tune but they have an inherent heat sink problem that I've never experienced with Holleys. Mount an AFB or Edelbrock carb on an aluminum manifold without using some sort of heat shield and you'll have serious vapor lock every time. I still haven't completely solved mine. Needless to say my next project will be using a stock Holley.
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Later...