It started by wanting to repaint the air cleaner. Then the cold weather came. Now I can't find the clamp which attaches the air cleaner to the Holley 885 teapot. I can't find a source for a clamp except to buy a whole 'nother air cleaner which comes with a clamp. Having heard mixed thoughts about the 885, knowing it will need a rebuild and a kit costs c-note which I can't install myself, $250 for professional help. As I'm looking at about $350 just to maintain status quo stock, I'm thinking of upgrading to a new 4bbl and new manifold for about $1k. Next year I want to upgrade heads for another $1k - have always wanted that sharp custom flathead look rather than stock.. What manifold and what carburetor should I get? I want to retain the generator in normal position and I want to have an automatic non-electric choke. Since I bought the car I've yet to hear it run. What do you recommend? If you just have clamp recommendations, I'd like to hear them too.
Army surplus stores are a good place to look for that type clamp - the military used them on everything. Also check Tri-Mil & Donaldson, makers of industrial air cleaners for the world ...
I never installed or ran one, but the Holley 390 CFM 4bbl is widely talked about as THE carburetor to have on a flathead. As for me, I like the look of dual deuces for period-correct hot rodding.
I'd recommend you start the engine & evaluate what you have before spending any money on hop-up parts ...
Don't know where your located, but there's a guy near me (Las Vegas) that could likely do the teapot for a lot less. Let me know if you want hi s info.
I ran a 390 Holley on an Offenhauser manifold (with the proper adapter) in a 276 Merc (Isky Max-1, Offy heads, MSD ignition, and Fenton headers) in my '36 3-window and never had a bit of trouble for the 7 years I had the car. Drove it a lot, too! As an aside, I now have a WCFB and a Rochester 4G along with Fenton and Edmunds manifolds that I'm going to try on my current build. It'll be interesting to see how they stack up. I went to the earlier carbs because they just look better (in my opinion) than the Holley. I have also heard that Fenton made the best 4 BBL manifold.
Agree with 302GMC. Can your engine run, air cleaner or not? I run with the 885 on my Avatar. The good thing is you can pick them up pretty cheap, the bad thing is not too many want to work on them from what I could tell. I did have a gentleman in upstate NY rebuild one for me; Charlie Schwendler. I have a clamp if you need one. I changed my air cleaner set up since this picture and still use this clamp but do believe I have a spare so PM me if interested. Maybe a moot point if you go 4 bbl? Pete
I'll second the guys that say "get it running first" before you even consider changing anything. Run a compression test, even if you have to borrow a gauge. Also, I've had Charlie Schwendler work on things for me and I can verify he does first class work.
Those carbs are amazingly easy to clean - the worst part is the price of a carb kit. And, as stated above, are hard to improve on if the engine is a stocker.
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