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Hot Rods Holley carburetor information

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by tdhug, Mar 31, 2025.

  1. tdhug
    Joined: May 2, 2014
    Posts: 144

    tdhug
    Member
    from kelso, wa

    I have an unusual four barrel Holley 4160 carb with mechanical secondary's, List 4005-s. My question is, does it come with or without a vacuum secondary canister since it has the mechanical linkage? From what I have been able to find out was this carb was used on the 65-68 289 and 302 engines.
    Where can I purchase vacuum secondary diaphragms with the short stem for Holley carbs? Thanks
     
  2. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 6,056

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

    There's no point for a vac can with mech sec . You could probably pick up a vac sec carb for what it would cost to change yours & that would be a project ( different linkage etc)
     
  3. RmK57
    Joined: Dec 31, 2008
    Posts: 3,089

    RmK57
    Member

    Only Holley carb that I’m aware of came on 289-302’s were on Shelby’s. All the Ford small block 4bbl were Autolites and were vacuum secondaries.
     
    mad mikey and big john d like this.
  4. kabinenroller
    Joined: Jan 26, 2012
    Posts: 1,322

    kabinenroller
    Member

    Quite a few performace Ford engines had Holley carbs from the factory, I know Boss 302, 429, CJ428’s etc. had them, the factory tri power set ups also used them.
    The carb in question is probably worth some cash to a restorer especially if it has the tag on it.
     
  5. RmK57
    Joined: Dec 31, 2008
    Posts: 3,089

    RmK57
    Member

    Some late 70’s big Ford cars used the Holley 4160 carb, they were also used on 352-390-406-427 engines in different configurations also. I’ve never seen one from the factory on a small block though. Should be easy to get parts for them as Holley still produces them.
     
  6. mad mikey
    Joined: Dec 22, 2013
    Posts: 9,393

    mad mikey
    Member

    Call ALL STATE Carburetor, they have lots of parts for all most any carb. Look them up on the net.
     
  7. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 6,449

    Fordors
    Member

    Here’s some info with photos of the carb in question, it definitely was designed as a vacuum secondary carb. Can you post photos of yours?
    IMG_3212.jpeg
    Photo and information credit to Carbs Unlimited.

    Here’s a photo of the List #4224 carb, does your secondary linkage look like this?
    IMG_3213.jpeg
    If so the throttle plate was changed and their is no benefit to having that on your carburetor.
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2025
  8. tdhug
    Joined: May 2, 2014
    Posts: 144

    tdhug
    Member
    from kelso, wa

    I should have mentioned, I have been restoring and rebuilding carburetors for 25 plus years and have never seen a carburetor like this. I haven't had much luck finding information for this carb, but I really don't think it needs the vacuum canister. That is why I'm here hoping to get an answer from some smart people. Here's some pictures. Buy the way, Allstate had what I needed. Thanks
     

    Attached Files:

  9. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,742

    squirrel
    Member

    so you are curious about the direct link on the secondaries? Perhaps it is a kit that was installed long ago, to do away with the vacuum can to make the carb into a fake double pumper, but without the secondary pump?

    That linkage does not look like Holley stuff.
     
    jaracer likes this.
  10. jaracer
    Joined: Oct 4, 2008
    Posts: 3,023

    jaracer
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Like Squirrel said, I also do not believe that looks like a Holley setup. It's almost like what we used to do with a small machine screw and nut in the slotted link.
     
  11. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 9,020

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    I believe it's Cal Custom. Somewhere in all of my junk, I've got a new conversion kit like that in vacuum formed plastic on a cardboard backing.
     
    squirrel likes this.
  12. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,742

    squirrel
    Member

  13. Dave G in Gansevoort
    Joined: Mar 28, 2019
    Posts: 3,689

    Dave G in Gansevoort
    Member
    from Upstate NY

    I believe that a 50 cc accelerator pump was the trick for making this work. And then juggling squirters to help delay that huge shot of fuel, to cover the bog that was the usual result of just making the secondaries mechanical. Vacuum secondaries open slowly enough to avoid that bog.
     
    squirrel likes this.
  14. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,742

    squirrel
    Member

    Yeah, it's a "solution" to a problem that should be solved by other means. Generally, if you want better throttle response from a vacuum secondary carb, you should put a lighter spring in the vacuum can. Eliminating the vacuum mechanism just messes things up, but it also made Cal Custom some money, from*****ers who don't understand how the carb was designed to work.
     
  15. tdhug
    Joined: May 2, 2014
    Posts: 144

    tdhug
    Member
    from kelso, wa

    Thank you all for the information you have given me, it's been very helpful.
     
  16. ClayMart
    Joined: Oct 26, 2007
    Posts: 7,779

    ClayMart
    Member

    As a rule of thumb:

    Heavier cars, automatic transmissions, lower stall converters, higher axle ratios, work better with vacuum secondaries.

    Lighter cars, manual transmissions, auto trans with higher stall speeds, lower axle ratios, seem better suited to mechanical secondaries.
     
  17. Dave G in Gansevoort
    Joined: Mar 28, 2019
    Posts: 3,689

    Dave G in Gansevoort
    Member
    from Upstate NY

    And Holley for selling lots of 50 cc conversion kits. Which by the way, were a lot more expensive than a couple of vacuum canister springs.
     
    squirrel and ClayMart like this.
  18. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 9,020

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    Still remember the part number for the spring kit, 20-13. Sold several when I worked in a parts store.
     
  19. tdhug
    Joined: May 2, 2014
    Posts: 144

    tdhug
    Member
    from kelso, wa

    Thanks again everyone,
     

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