I need help with holley 2x4 setups meetering blocks ...I want to know what the meetering block configeriation diff's are between a holley 600 for single 4v and a pair of 600s for 2x4 application using log linkage setup.There's very little info out there in internet land. I am looking for an experenced tuner in this area... Any help out there?????
Actually calling Holley tech line is a very good solution to your problem. They are very knowledgeable and can answer most if not all of your questions pretty quicky...you just have to be prepared to wait on hold for 10 minutes before you get to a tech if you call during peak times...
Not an expert but there shouldn't be any real difference in metering blocks between the two. Only special part might be a balance tube between diaphragm housings on vacuum secondaries.
I thought that also but in looking at Fords OEM 2x4 setups from the 60s I found that the meetering blocks they were using are not in holleys listings numbers.... The carb list numbers they used also are not in holleys listings but I know they were special calibrations for Ford and they must have had a reason. I know I could just buy some carbs from holley and be done with it but I have carbs and know they can be made to work as well without spending a bunch of money ...Help
The metering blocks are the same, the listing numbers are proprietary to ford and won't show up in holley listings. There will be specific differences for the original engine, if you look at the boosters there may be little lumps sticking out at odd angles and these are specific to the intake so the air is balanced - if you make any kind of change in any part of the original configuration (ie cam, bore, piston etcetc) the differnces are no longer useful. The holley 600cfm is adjustable and tuneable enough so you can dial them in without problem. I don't like the 1850 series carbs (***uming that is what you are using) because they are so universal in concept that they don't work real good in anything - if that makes sense. About the only thing i'd pay attention to is your available vacuum, the pots can be tuned with a couple quickchange vacuum kits but the power valve might need to drop down a few numbers and the power valve circuit restrictor is a bit large, you can drill & tap for 6-32 and make your own restrictors with a 6-32 allen screw with about a .028 hole drilled thru. The airbleeds, idlecircuit restrictor etc should be good to go. Thats about it really.
LOTS of Holley list numbers do not show up in Holley's so-called "master" list. Don't know why, but at least give Holley credit for trying to do a master list. Other companies: Carter published one that was comprehensive, but the last printing of which I am aware was 1959. A later print in 1967 covered those carburetors still in production only. Rochester published one that was comprehensive, in 1955 Stromberg had an internal list from about 1930 to the end in 1974 that was absolutely complete, but did not publish the list (I have both known copies). Zenith published lists each year of those carburetors currently in production; so when a carburetor was discontined, it dropped off the list. Jon.
I'm not an expert but there are differences in the idle restrictions and maybe the Power valve channels. There's no master list of Holley metering blocks that I'm aware of....
Its the big orange book. the "bible" very useful book to have. If you are going to idle on both sets of primaries, it will probably want a smaller IFR. but it'll probably run "ok" as-is, if ok is good enough.
call /email tech at any racing carb supply house remember if you run carbs sideways to clear larger float bowls you need special floats...the smaller bowls work as they are
Holley sells (or at least they used to, anyway) the so-called 'Red Book' master catalog that shows the Holley list number and carb specifications (including jet sizes, power-valve sizes, metering block numbers and specs, etc etc, ad infinitum) for practically every Holley 'aftermarket replacement', " aftermarket high-performance" and OEM Holley carb made, from the early-to-mid 1950's right through to the early 1970's. The book definitely includes the OEM Ford dual-quad carb numbers and specs -and even has listings and specs for some obscure and never released experimental and prototype OEM carbs. See if if you can find a copy of the Holley Red Book somewhere. It's a gold-mine of useful info and should have everything you need or could want to know in it.
This book is a really good start, but it is FAR from listing them all; even O.E. stuff. There are several printings of the book. They turn up occasionally. The first printing of which I am aware is 1968. The second printing was in 1973; and there were additional printings. The latest one I have is from 1981. This book is an "exception based" book. Meaning parts are listed for a "standard" carburetor of a given type. Then for a carburetor of the same type (ie 4160) but different list number, only those parts that differed from the standard carb would be listed. Prior to the exception based book, Holley produced a book that was loose-leaf, where generally only 3~5 carbs were listed on a group of 2~8 pages. These books were 3~6 inches thick, but all parts for MOST carburetors were listed. Examples of non-listed O.E. Ford carbs are the R-1536-A, and R-1599-A. But there are many more that were not listed in these books. Jon.
Well,aint that the ****s.....So the book has metering block numbers and corresponding idle restriction sizes and the carbs they came on? In a Holley tuning book by Des Hammill he says there's no Holley list of metering blocks and what carbs they came on.I also read the same in another Holley tuning book. The power valve restriction sizes are listed in the tuning books.... The idle restrictions generally vary from .026 to about .040. Like you say it's probably ok . But some less common engines need restriction modifications for idle or for power valve
I knew I came to the right place ..great information given by all ..Thanks .... I found a book by Des Hammel through my lacal library through the library loan system ..Should see it in a week or so ..I think that maybe there is not any off the shelf meetering blocks that are going to be perfict in any given setup and I know that I am going to prolly have to build blocks that go with the combo im using .I see custom blocks from a few diff sorces that have adjustable bleeds... I just hoped to find oem blocks that would possable work well without the added expence to have the carbs wetflow calibrated and tuned on the dyno . thats just totaly out of my budget .I have been ac***elating all this data from everyone in hopes that I just might figuer it out .I just read an artical on wideband ox guage and think that is where I need to go and tune the carb setup from data from seat time and work it out that way ....I just do not want to screw up a fresh and expensive engine with the wrong AFR and melt it down on the gitgo..I any one has more info please post it ..Thank you all for your input... You guy's are great .VIVA LA H.A.M.B......
It does list the metering block part numbers, but it doesnt give the sizes for the IFR's and PVCR's, damn shame, that would neat. I end up tweaking IFR's and PVCR's on most of the holleys I use.
This is what I run on my Roadster. We took the metering plate and made it so you could use regular Holley jets in it. Big help for tuning. You can buy kits through Summit Racing to do the same
I saw the kits that Summit has ,they look like time savers when jetting. but jets $8 bucks a pr vrs drill $0 bucks. I'm time rich and money poor LOL ....well you know.... Thanks for your help in my quest for performance perfection...John
Just curious, why didn't you replace the metering plate with a metering block (and a longer transfer tube)? Not enough room?
Just so I dont cornfues yous guys, I am also posting some questions for holley 450 carbs I have both and havent desided which way to go just yet...
John I also have 450s but mine were tunnel ram carbs with no vacuum pots for the secondarys. Did not do so well on the street. I also have 2 390s. 390s - good bottom fair top 450s - good bottom pretty good top 600s - fair bottom GREAT top !!!
OOPS sorry Fuzzy Knight. I see it was your post with the 2x4's on the ford not fenders . Are the 450 carbs aftermarket or factory ford 2x4 app carbs. are the other carbs all vac secondary Holleys .and which did you like best
I got the book by Des Hammill today and I must say it is the best book to date for Holley carb tech..Verry detailed and a must read for anyone looking to improve ther holley tunning knowledge .However there was nothing written about using multaple carbs ,only single carb use .I keep thinking there should be different metering blocks used in 2x4 apps vrs a 1x4 app.I don't know why but I'm thinking there has to be a different calibration when using 2x4s when running log on a blower . after reading Des Hammells book I have a better understanding of the metering system and what it doe's.. Now I am certin there are calibrations for the 2x4 that are different fron the single carb setups .I think adding another carb will work. but without fine tuneing the metering system it just won't be correct. I don't want it just to work ,I want it to be dead not just ok..So I continue on the quest for metering block knowledge and thank everyone for there imput on this subject .. Anyone know of tech books on running 2x4 carbs,2x4 tunning, anything
John The factory 2x4 set up from Ford is/was two stock 1850 holleys. Metering plates were as stock. My carb Guru is a wizard on Holleys and that is what he says it is also what his books show. Good luck in your quest. To answer your above question. When doing a lot of town driving I like the 390s. If I am going drag racing I like the 600s. Fuzzy
I talked to Jeff Harris at AED performance fuel systems today and he is a very knowledgeable holley expert .I must say he was a great help and guided me in the right direction with my 2x4 blower setup. He walked me through the intire calibration sequence using the AF meter. He told me where to look for rich and lean areas and how to correct them. what impresed me most was he realy wanted to help me and took the time nessasery to tune me in.. Thanks Jeff.... I'll bet If you could see inside his head it would be full of holley carbs ... I never met anyone with that much knowledge on holley carbs. Ill let you guyes know how it turns out ...Again thank you all for your help.....
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