Holley leak issues

[Ted G]

I've heard this for years... "Holley's leak fuel like crazy". Honestly, I just couldn't believe that until now. I know I'll get some of you saying "Go EFI" and yes, I may do that at some point and have plumbed my roadster for that and even got a pressure regulator that easily converts.

But here is my rant against Holley. Brand new 750 CFM 4160, out of the box was leaking at the rear bowl. I checked fuel pressure, needle seat, float height, etc, but no issues. I figured I did something wrong and I need to pull the carb. The other day, I pulled the carb and still could not figure out where the leak was coming from. I then pulled the rear bowl to inspect the gaskets, etc. and found a simple bowl bolt gasket was missing. How the heck does Holley let this get to market with a missing bowl gasket? No wonder they have a "reputation" for leaking.

Anyway, here are some pictures, and you can see (yellow circles), even before I took the bowl off, that the gasket was missing. I noticed this well after pulling the bowl.

182587 182588 182589

Anyway, part have been ordered and will put back together this weekend. Trials and Tribulations of a Cobra builder! Still happy I chose carburation!!

Ted
#10333

[MB750]

I love carbs too!!!!

I haven't fired up my Edelbrock AVS2 yet but it'll happen in a few weeks.

[F500guy]

I am hoping to love carbs as well! Looking forward to tuning and tweaking. I have a data system I can get a Sensor for that should help dial in the jetting.

[skidd]

I think nearly every new carb I've ever bought and installed, has required work ahead of install. Everything from linkage binding,
to incorrect factory air-bleeds, to loose jets, to crushed gaskets and leaky fittings.
Annoying nature of the beast.

[Ford & Jeep Fan]

I also prefer a carb to EFI. and I prefer the Edlebrock carbs over Holleys. I think if I was drag racing a Holley is the carb to have. they are Very hard to beat at wide open throttle.
However if for driving the Edlebrock is very easy to tune, made of aluminum (not Zinc) and has ONE gasket (above the fuel level).
Edlebrock offer a Calibration kit for each performer carb that has a assortment of needles, spring and jets AND most importantly a book to show you exactly how to make changes you might want to.

[Ted G]

I also prefer a carb to EFI. and I prefer the Edlebrock carbs over Holleys. I think if I was drag racing a Holley is the carb to have. they are Very hard to beat at wide open throttle.
However if for driving the Edlebrock is very easy to tune, made of aluminum (not Zinc) and has ONE gasket (above the fuel level).
Edlebrock offer a Calibration kit for each performer carb that has a assortment of needles, spring and jets AND most importantly a book to show you exactly how to make changes you might want to.

That is good to know for the future.... Thanks

[Mike.Bray]

You would think after building carburetors for 150 years they would have them figured out! I'm staying in the EFI camp.

[Avalanche325]

The joys of modern mass maximize profits manufacturing. My QF carb had no issues. My Tremec TKO600 had a factory installed leak which took an entire teardown to fix. My Moser differential cover leaked as well as one of the axle seals.

[Hoooper]

I dont think this is what people have in mind when they say carburetors are just a controlled fuel leak

[GFX2043mtu]

I got a new $1k carb from Holley and on the dyno it had issues no matter what the adjustment / change was and Holley ended up replacing it. This aftermarket car stuff simply does not have the QC of a major OEM made car. You can spend big money on the aftermarket and there quality still seams to lack.

[GoDadGo]

I'm running an AVS-800 and have had no issues, but I'd bet folks had issues with those carbs too.
Your Holley was likely assembled on a Friday afternoon or early Monday morning.

Good Luck!