Pick a Carb for me
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 38
From: Mankato Mn
Pick a Carb for me
Can someone suggest a carb that will work out of the box. I have a 396 in my 68 vette. I've a few Q Jets & a Holley & have tried them all. None perform very well because I can't find a good carb guy to set them up. Is there such a thing as an "out of the box" that will work ?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Are you certain that your problem is the carb? Poor engine performance could easily be a vacuum leak or a distributor/ignition problem. Having the same difficulties while exchanging several carbs would indicate your problem to be elsewhere.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Depends upon which 396 you have. If it was a 396/375, then you'd do well with a spec 3310-1 (this is not an off-the-shelf carb from Holley) which is a 780cfm, downleg booster, vacuum secondary with 74 primary, 82 secondary, a .033 shooter with a 70IAB and 33HSAB and .033IFCR. This was the carb installed by GM on this engine. The other 396s used a Q-Jet. For the best result, match the specs on your engine to the carb that should be on there and get or build that carb.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
If there is a big change for the better then buy another carb. If no change or not much change look elsewhere for the problem
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 51
From: Lexington Park Maryland
most carb problems turn out to be electrical........ A new set of breaker points cured a carb problem I had last summer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
As I'm certain Lars would agree, many a carb problem turns out to be an ignition problem. Before doing anything to the former you should verify there's absolutely no issue with the latter.
