Subfixer

I've got a 64 327/300 that I'm converting to 365. I have the correct 461 intake manifold, 70 LT1 Cam, etc....

I have been watching all the 2818 carbs on ebay for a while trying to determine a reasonable price. The rebuild/restored ones seem to go for big $$$$, while the questionable rebuildable ones go for the price of a new Holley 1850.

Since my car is a driver, I'll probably end up with a replacement Holley 1850 and use 66/67 oil fill tube and PVC system. I'd like to keep the original choke tube vs electric choke, but I'm not sure that will work on an 1850 carb. I would like to keep the underhood "appearance" as true to correct as possible.

Anyone know if the 1850 choke can be adapted to the 2818 style choke?

GOPSU!

The 1850 is junk and so is ebay. I have the L76 and did the 1850 thing. Has Webster invented a word that means junk to the 13th power? Well, if he did there would be a pic of a Holley 1850. First off the 1850 has metering plates not blocks. This doesn't seam like a biggie until your nice 461 aluminum intake takes a bath in gasket stained gasoline-they ALL leak. Keep looking at swap meets and or other non ebay online places and you'll find one. You can rebuild/jet/tune and repaint one to look better than new in a weekend or less. Oh yeah, if memory serves the choke won't bolt up.

ctjackster

Holley Street Avenger from Jegs etc will be your best bolt-on bet, elec choke can be tied into 12v side of ballast resistor, everything (intake, air cleaner housing) lines up, but you will need to address fuel line plumbing to the carb, not the same as the 2818, but all nec. line parts exist.

Subfixer

Thanks for the insight and suggestions.

I looked at the Street Avenger (that's the one with center hung floats, right? 4150 style). I read somewhere (???) that there was a fit problem with the stock air cleaner on this carb. I think there was a clearance problem with the float adjusting screws and the bottom of the stock air cleaner assembly.

I was leaning more towards the side hung float model (4160 style) as this most closely resembles the 2818. Specifically looking at the 80457 model with electric choke. I would like to replace the electric choke assembly with a hot air choke assembly from a 2818, so it "looks" & works like stock and hooks up the the hot air tube I aready have.

I know electric is easier, and my car is far from original, but that's not my "cup of tea" so to speak.

JohnZ

1850's only have a metering plate on the secondary side - the primary uses a metering block and jets like any other Holley. I've had probably 20 different Holleys over the last 30 years, and have never had one leak that used Holley parts and was checked for flatness and properly assembled. Lots of warped/corroded old Holley cores on eBay make a lousy foundation for a rebuilt carb.

joec

You can buy a new 1850 for around $250 with manual choke. I had one on my car (found a 2818) and it was great.......

/joe

6T5RUSH

Subfixer,

I wouldn't throw in the towel on buying and having rebuilt and restored a 2818.

Here's a scenario you may be able to live with. There's an example of one for sale at this website (I bought from him and he's knowledgeable and fair):

http://www.corvettejunk.com/PartImages2/dcp_2305.jpg

Now, assuming you pay 190. (incl shipping) then ship it out to Jerry MacNeish for a total rebuild/restore...his price this past summer was $300 + shipping. So, in this scenario, you would have $500.00 in a correct carb that is totally rebuilt, checked and fixed for flatness/warpage and correctly annodized, plated as they were originally. The carb is then tested on a mule motor for leaks and functionality. Here's his website:

http://www.z28camaro.com/restosvcs.html#carb

The hook on this approach is obviously time. My guess you've got a week to get the carb then a good 3-4 weeks (right now, 'cause as you get into the driving season, Jerry MacNeish get's backlogged).

And, I don't have stock in Holley or Jerry MacNeish but he did do my 2818 and I have no regrets. I forgot to mention he sets up the carb with stock jets unless you tell him otherwise. On the 2818, the primaries are 65's and the secondaries are 76's.

Just my .02.

Good luck!

Jim (6T5RUSH)

Subfixer

Jim, Thanks for the idea. I'm still weighing options. Not in a rush as the body's not on the frame yet. I am familiar with Jerry's services. My intake and exhaust manifolds are down at his shop now for reskinning.

1Redctoo

Subfixer - Did you ever find a way to hook up the hot air choke to your 1850 ? I'm trying to do that now .

Subfixer

Here's a blast from the past.....
I ended up finding a 2818, so everything fit up correctly.

Since then, I have upgraded to a larger engine still dressed as an L76. I was able to use the complete 2818 choke assembly with a new Holley 780, so it seems to be interchangeable with most Holley chokes.

65tripleblack

The 1964 "L76" had a LT1 cam?

Subfixer

Only the one I built.......

65tripleblack

You're the only VH I know who has NCRS/Dukester/Poindexter's Disease.

Subfixer

Yeah... and I hear it's contagious.

I have this thing about not being "correct" but wanting it to look like it is.

65tripleblack

Can you paint the side exhaust on your '64 white and make it blend in better?

Your car is beautiful, BTW.