This swap is really a no-brainer! Aside from making that simple linkage adapter, it was a bolt-on deal. The pedal feel and travel are the same as they were with the stock carb, and the engine runs MUCH better. These Economaster carburetors were designed and calibrated by Holley for 1977-78 Chevy 250 engines, so they work out real well on a 235, too. They're tuned with economy in mind (I even left the idel mixture limiter cap on mine), which is cool by me! The car actually IDLES now, which puts it miles ahead of the stock carb it replaced!
Anyone looking to do this swap needing info. I have a 82 ford fairmont with a 200 I6 and it has the same carb. It is a holley 1946. Same Exact carb. Was unable to find that carb used on a 250. So there you go. Holley 1946 used on Ford 200 I6. Have fun.
2BBL to 1BBL adapter at jegs.com Think its what leaded was talkin bout. Holley P/N 2041 http://www.jegs.com/i/Trans Dapt/969/2041/10002/-1?CT=999
Very cool, man. Another idea for someone who is planning on keeping their 235 as-is would be the dual-carb setup you see on here all the time. I couldn't help but mention it because it looks so freakin' cool!
I have a 57 Chevy 235 I woulds like to put this Holly Economaster iv carb on. Can you supply the Holly prt number? I would like to order one for my 53 Chvey truck its going on.
Hi there, love the article on the carb swap to a Holley Economaster. I'm in the same boat with a 230 in my old Poncho. I asked my local parts store to order one for me, I was asked if I could find a casting number on the carb. Would you be able to check your carb and let me know? I would absolutely love to get that leaky, fat running old rotten chester off and replace it with something from this century! Thanks in advance.
It looks like the stock number for the Economaster carb that I used for this swap is 2-3030 according to the photo in this link. This is the carb I bought from the local (now defunct) speed shop. http://www.allcarbs.com/detail.php?pid=1304&mfgn=40&ctgn=10&stt=40&gb=2
realizing this is a couple year old thread..........any updates? has anyone else tried this or some other carb? im desperate here.
The Economaster I have is for a Ford 200-250 and it performs quite nicely on my 235. The linkage had to be modified, but so what?
Hope the op sold the 235 to someone who really wants it and can use it. I have 86K miles on a '56 235, '49 Chevy 1/2 ton dd/only vehicle now with two X 2 bbl carter-webers.
Ive got two 235's Ive had for twenty years with stock carbs that have given me zero problems, and 19mpg with stock gearing in 41 and 59. Car and truck. It looks like a good swap tho if you have a ****ty carb.
I remember reading this back then and will have to look for one of those carbs,I never cared much for the original carb on my 57 235.
i have a good running b on her now after going through 3 bad ones. i still would like to find one like the op found and used.
Excellent write up, been jacking with the 1BBL in a '57BA for months to get it to run smooth. I'll give it a shot and thanks for posting pics of your bracket.