I've got a 72 40 with a 350 chevy crate engine and weiand intake, a 670 cfm Holley Avenger carb. Have had the truck a year and carb started acting up, wouldn't start. had a mechanic work on it, rejetted, ran great for a while and now it's back not working well at all. Hard to get started, runs poorly, trys to die at idle. I smell gas when it's running. Someone suggested putting a fuel pressure regulator on, that the electric fuel pump may overwhelm the needle valve. Anybody else have any suggestions- I'm at a loss. Also, anyone know of someone in the Ft. Worth area who might be good to look at this? I'd sure appreciate any help you could give. :confused:

Hit up Butch Baker (texican). His shop is in Bonham and a few people have said he's competent :rolleyes: . If it's too far away, I sure he could refer you to someone in the DFW area.

You want a spring loaded needle and seat for sure and an extended vent tube for any type of off road driving. Hollies are very funny with any crap inside the fuel bowl, buy reusable metering block gaskets and the backfire proof power valves.

Get a small in line filter and mount it close to the carb fuel inlet and keep an eye on it.The fuel needs to be down around 3.5psi for a 2 barr 2300 holley I am not sure on a larger one but go low and see if runs better. Hollie makes a nice adjustable fuel pump that will work great.

If you have an electric pump now make sure your tank is vented correctly or you will get vapor lock.


They make clear sight glass plugs so you can really set your float level, get the floats down so that you can just see gas at the bottom of the sight glass.

Check the adjustment on the accelerator pump arm and make sure it is not rubbing the pump itself.

I am no expert on Holley carbs, but your description sounds like you might have a plugged idle circuit, which has caused you to turn up the idle until the primaries kick in, which are delivering more gas than your truck can use at an idle.

If you are otherwise satisfied with this carb, then I would suggest rebuilding it. If you were less than happy with it when it worked right, I wouldn't suggest wasting another penny on it; I would suggest a Quadrajet.

:rolleyes: