What carb do you 350 guys run??

[64GMCHorsepower]

I am fed up with screwing around with the fuel injection.

I am taking it off, and installing a carb, and going back to the good old fashioned way of running my truck.


I had a friend give me a Edelbock Torker intake.


I am looking at around a 600 or 750 cfm, electric choke, vacuum secondary's

I am still keeping the 700R4 auto tranny also....

So I will also have to have the kickdown linkage, and either learn how to set it, or have a tranny shop do it......


So what carb would you guys recommend??

[SuperWho]

Mine came with the Carter AFB 600 Competition Series. I am running a 350/700r4 setup. I know a lot of people don't like the carter/edelbrocks, but this one sat for 5 years and fired up on the third try and runs smooth.

[shortbed70]

I run a speed demon 650 vac. secondaries now. I think holleys have a crisper throttle response than edelbrocks but require tuning. Dont go any bigger than 650 on a 350 for the street and cam duration of less than 240. BTW I have a 361 sbc/700r4 combo.

[markeb01]

I had a Holley 650 double pumper back in the mid 70's, and the 406 3x2's on a 63 Ford 390. I got sick of warped metering blocks, leaking gaskets, and dealing with the balance tube o-rings for every jet change.

Ever since I've been running 600 cfm Edelbrock carbs. They are dirt simple, easy to service and easy to change jets and needles. Currently I'm running a 350 with the Performer RPM manifold. Until I changed to a manual 4 speed about 5 years ago I was running a turbo 350. I'm not familiar with the 700R4, but on the 350 turbo the kickdown linkage was a simple mechanical adjustment where the link connected to the carb. Something like a Lokar kickdown cable might simplify things.

[198plus]

If its a basic stock 350....I wouldn't go over a 600-650 Holley and use one with vacuum secondaries.....I wouldn't use that intake it's a single plane intake which the rpm range is 2500-6500 rpm.......If you use a Dual plane intake the rpm range is from idle to 5500 rpm. If you not sure let a trans shop or someone that knows what there doing on the tv cable on the 700r.......Only takes a few minutes and you will be taking it to the trans shop anyway.

[jason65]

I'm runnin a edlbrock 600, Weiand intake, headers, 700r4. When floored you can still watch the gas gauge move.

[Eagar1]

This question is really a matter of opinion, and experience. Just about any carb can work great if set up correctly. Holleys can run great if you go for an avenger type with the fuel bowl sights, and an aftermarket kit that allows you to adjust the jets with a turn of a screw. Eldebrocks also have been very strong runners, with the right tweeking. If you know what you are doing, a solid Quadrajet is actually one of the best for a mild 350, small primaries, and massive secondaries for real power/econo mix.
On a mild 350 I would recommend a Holley 670 Street avenger, then add the Adjust-A-Jet kit, for a totally tune-able set up. Get an O2 sensor and gauge set up, and you will be able to dial it in under all conditions, much like an EFI.
I agree on the dual plane, install a 1-inch spacer which will help with both power and the warpage issues.
I can't remember who, but someone makes a kit for the 700R4 that eliminates the pressure problems with the TV cable adjustment. It is installed in the valve body inside the pan, real easy.
Do not use a holley style (I forget the Model number) with the single fuel inlet and the pipe that sends fuel to the other bowl. They are tuff to tweek and are almost always underpowered. You can convert them to a double pumper type, but by the time you do you can just about buy a new one, unless you have other spare parts from old carbs to use.
Higher CFM carbs can be used successfully on smaller CI motors, but they require special tuning, and are usually used when turning higher than usual RPM, I actually had an 800cfm on a 327, but it was built to run over 6krpm.

[buisy71]

I have used the carter AFB 650 comp series also on the 350 in my 58 chevy and my 67 chevy trucks and have not had a bit of trouble at all.

[TheDark1]

I just replaced my older Holley 600 w/ vacuum secondaries. I went back with a Holley Aluminum Street Avenger 670 w/ vacuum secondaries. They have a really good deal right now. If you buy one you get a fuel pump for free or an electric fuel pump for $15.00 plus shipping of course. It fired up on the first twist of the key. I let the old one sit with bad gas for so long, I didn't want to mess with it any more and it was 17 years old anyway. Holley has a good little chart with CID over RPM's to determine CFM for any engine. Check out their web site for the chart and rebate info. There are no balance tubes on this model, it's a dual feed design and it looks polished right out of the box. My 350 is .040 over with a small cam, Weiand Action Plus intake, and headers running thru 3" true dual exhaust with Borla XR-1 race mufflers.

[BMSJaX]

I'm runnin a summit rebuilt Q-jet on a Holley street dominator which is very similar to the torker. I had a Holley double pumper before but like the Q-jet soo much more. I get much better gas mileage(9 Holley vs. 15 Q-jet) and I have a much better throttle response and great power through the whole RPM range. Truck runs alot better and even sounds better. But like stated before its all a matter of opinion...

[64GMCHorsepower]

The engine is a stock 350 from an 85 vette....
I am going to check out the street avenger...

This is not going to be my DD, just something to drive when I get the urge....maybe 1 or 2 time a week depending on the weather


Thanks for the advice and info....

[TheDark1]

Better hurry, I think the deal ends soon.

[jonzcustomshop]

Originally Posted by BMSJaX

I'm runnin a summit rebuilt Q-jet on a Holley street dominator which is very similar to the torker. I had a Holley double pumper before but like the Q-jet soo much more. I get much better gas mileage(9 Holley vs. 15 Q-jet) and I have a much better throttle response and great power through the whole RPM range. Truck runs alot better and even sounds better. But like stated before its all a matter of opinion...

I have been leaning back to the qjet as well...
my camaro in highschool I had a built up 350 with a qjet, redline 6500 rpm, just had to have a holley, my redline dropped to 6000, car was not as fast or responsive as it was...
whenever that one goes back together its getting the qjet back.

they are like running a 2bbl, and then having a 7-800 cfm carb as a backup when you floor it.

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

I have been leaning back to the qjet as well...
my camaro in highschool I had a built up 350 with a qjet, redline 6500 rpm, just had to have a holley, my redline dropped to 6000, car was not as fast or responsive as it was...
whenever that one goes back together its getting the qjet back.

they are like running a 2bbl, and then having a 7-800 cfm carb as a backup when you floor it.

I've been reading more about the famous Q-jet and am getting interested in them. Couple people I know love them and think they are the best carbs due to the flexibility in tuning.

[toms84ss]

Whats wrong with the TPI? I would try and keep it instead of going backwards in technology. If you must go to a carb stick to 650 CFM or smaller. Use a dual plane intake. Bowtie Overdrives makes a nice TV cable set up for just about any carb you choose to run. They work very well. Also, TCI makes the constant pressure valve bodies that hold 200 psi all the time. The problem with these is I've heard they shift a little harsh at part/light throttle position. You want to sell the TPI set up? I may be interested.

[Eagar1]

Q-Jets are awesome, just make sure you get one that is built properly, even one you buy from the parts stores are rarely set up right. I wish someone would make new versions, perhaps they do, anyone know?

[toms84ss]

Q jets work great when set up correctly. Finding a Q jet guru is getting tough these days. There going the way of the dinosaur. I prefer Holley's as I can build and tune them. But any carb you choose will need to be tuned to your truck no matter who makes it.

[SIR]

...I run a 600cfm on a stock 350 crate and get aprox 200 miles on a tank (stock) pleanty of power and it won't "load up"...no point in over carb'in it just more trouble...

[jchav62]

I agree with most...600-650 cfm's with a dual plane intake. I run Edelbrocks because they are easier to work with. But, in my opinion, nothing beats a good quadrajet...I have a collection of q-jets, I just need to find a guru to build me a couple...

[Woogeroo]

Originally Posted by toms84ss

But any carb you choose will need to be tuned to your truck no matter who makes it.

That is very true.

Another tip I got from my pal who tuned my carburetor... who used Holley on his 302 sbf... he went to buy a carb. at the store and the fella there told him to get the rebuilt by Holley carb.. His reasons are kinda interesting... he said that it is a rebuilt job, warrantied and all that, costs a little less... but the difference in the rebuilt units is that someone who knows about rebuilding the Holley carbs actually sat and went through the rebuilt units as opposed to them just being built on the assembly line when they are new. He went with one of the rebuilt units and never had any problems with it for the several years he had the car.


This is what my 350 has... it was on there when I bought it:


Carburetor: Holley - Model 4160 - single pumper 600cfm.

Intake: Edelbrock Standard Performer - Dual Plane


Good luck,

-W