Carb recommendation for a 383
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 723
Likes: 71
From: Kannapolis NC
I put a fuel presser gauge in that port. When I crank the car up, the gauge goes crazy jumping all over the place. At least it didn't leak. I had my son ready with a fire extinguisher just in case. The gauge was a Mr Gasket 0-15 PSI gauge. It all fit just fine. What does this mean? Is there something wrong with my pump or with the gauge?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 174
From: Fort Wayne IN
The pump pulses (slowly) as the car is cranking, once it runs and the bowls are full it should give you a more steady reading.
Remember the pump is pumped by a cam lobe, so during cranking what you are seeing is the needle flick every time that lobe comes around and pumps it.
Remember the pump is pumped by a cam lobe, so during cranking what you are seeing is the needle flick every time that lobe comes around and pumps it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 723
Likes: 71
From: Kannapolis NC
I let is run for a minute or so and increased the RPM to 1500 or 2000. The gauge never leveled out. It continued to bounce. Do I just need to give it longer to fill the bowls? I didn't think it would take that long.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 723
Likes: 71
From: Kannapolis NC
It is this gauge.
https://www.holley.com/products/fuel...nts/parts/1561
It is not liquid filled.
It bounces so much, it's basically not readable.
Are liquid filled ones better?
I would have thought that the one Holley sells would be the right one for carb systems.
I'm going to let it run for a little while and see what happens.
Does the fact that my pump is the type that has the return to the gas tank make a difference?
https://www.holley.com/products/fuel...nts/parts/1561
It is not liquid filled.
It bounces so much, it's basically not readable.
Are liquid filled ones better?
I would have thought that the one Holley sells would be the right one for carb systems.
I'm going to let it run for a little while and see what happens.
Does the fact that my pump is the type that has the return to the gas tank make a difference?
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Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,428
Likes: 8,232
From: Napa Valley California
The gauge looks like it should work, but it’s hard to tell if anyone has had good or bad luck with it because there are no reviews on it.
Liquid filled are better, but that may mean nothing.
As far as it bouncing around, it could be the engine vibrations making the needle bounce.
I doubt that the return line off the pump would have anything to do with the gauge bouncing.
Before I went to far I would call Holley and see if you could just return that gauge and replace it with a new one as it could just be a faulty gauge and nothing else.
Liquid filled are better, but that may mean nothing.
As far as it bouncing around, it could be the engine vibrations making the needle bounce.
I doubt that the return line off the pump would have anything to do with the gauge bouncing.
Before I went to far I would call Holley and see if you could just return that gauge and replace it with a new one as it could just be a faulty gauge and nothing else.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 133
Likes: 35
Here are some thoughts. I have a 406 sbc in my 65 GTO. It's got a healthy roller cam with 10 in. vacuum at an 850 rpm idle. I am running an Edlebrock RPM Airgap with a Summit Racing 750 cfm vacuum secondary, electric choke carb on an open one inch spacer. Engine Masters compared four hole vs. open vs. no spacer on an Airgap and open performed best. Installing and tuning that programmable MSD ignition sounds like a relatively involved process. I went with a Progression Ignition programmable distributor. It is as simple as replacing the old distributor with the new one and comes with the correct MAP sensor. Something else that I would consider indispensable is a wide band O2 sensor/AFR gauge. I was able to dial in virtually perfect drivability using the gauge. Also, stay away from AEM widebands. I went through two gauges and three O2 sensors and they all stopped working within five miles. I am now using an Autometer and it has been flawless.