Need some help with a Holley
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 46
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From: Sugar Hill GA
Need some help with a Holley
Hey guys. First off, I'm working on a Mazda and don't want to intrude, I'm just looking for some people that know their Holleys and this seemed like a good place.
I was changing the waterpump on an RX-7 with a Holley 4160 and suddenly it won't idle. It could be vacuum (though not in the manifold - checked everything) or it could be the carb. I swapped on a new carb and manifold and everything runs fine. I've rebuilt the Holley a second time and there's still no improvement. At part-throttle, it surges, spits and backfires constantly, though full-throttle runs like a dream (vacuum secondaries). Can you guys tell me what common Holley problems are that might cause this? I only have 4 runners that feed a total of 2 rotors, so each rotor gets one primary and one secondary barrel, yet the rear rotor's primary barrel seems to flow a lot more fuel than the front. I'm getting uneven fuel delivery between the two primaries and don't know why. The whole carb has been exhaustively cleaned and I'm running 61 mains with the power valve blocked off (just the one metering plate).
Again, I don't want to **** anyone off here, just need some help on a Holley. If it helps, my roomie has an 89 L98 coupe.
Thanks.
Crit
Critteroso on AIM
678-467-0463
I was changing the waterpump on an RX-7 with a Holley 4160 and suddenly it won't idle. It could be vacuum (though not in the manifold - checked everything) or it could be the carb. I swapped on a new carb and manifold and everything runs fine. I've rebuilt the Holley a second time and there's still no improvement. At part-throttle, it surges, spits and backfires constantly, though full-throttle runs like a dream (vacuum secondaries). Can you guys tell me what common Holley problems are that might cause this? I only have 4 runners that feed a total of 2 rotors, so each rotor gets one primary and one secondary barrel, yet the rear rotor's primary barrel seems to flow a lot more fuel than the front. I'm getting uneven fuel delivery between the two primaries and don't know why. The whole carb has been exhaustively cleaned and I'm running 61 mains with the power valve blocked off (just the one metering plate).
Again, I don't want to **** anyone off here, just need some help on a Holley. If it helps, my roomie has an 89 L98 coupe.
Thanks.
Crit
Critteroso on AIM
678-467-0463
Last edited by Crit; Jul 25, 2004 at 07:49 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
no problem ,these are a good bunch, just don't be thin skined 
do you have the how to tune holley's book ??? if i was you i'd get it,
you need to stay on top of your tune with your car
do you have the how to tune holley's book ??? if i was you i'd get it,
you need to stay on top of your tune with your car
Last edited by comp; Jul 25, 2004 at 04:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Hill GA
Well, honestly, this is a car that I'm selling. The new owner didn't see any value in a very expensive sidedraft carb, so I've dropped the Holley on it so I can sell the other setup on the side. The carb came as a spare with another car with the same setup, so it's jetted correctly and everything else. It ran fine and I'm hesitant to make any changes, simply because this was an overnight thing. I'm wondering if my intake manifold is perhaps warped as a result of overspilled water on a warm engine (all aluminum manifold, alternating iron and aluminum block), but I wouldn't expect so.
My main question right now is this: How does a Holley idle? It doesn't seem like the primary boosters supply fuel at idle on a properly working carb (maybe it atomizes and I can't see it), but I would expect fuel to be metered through the base, right at the throttle plates to allow a measure of progression as you crack the throttle open. Is there an idle circuit in the base flange? I haven't noticed anything online mentioning one, but I would think so. Basically, I could use a little educating w/ respect to Holleys, so I figured the C3 guys would be the most likely to help.
Thanks again,
Crit
My main question right now is this: How does a Holley idle? It doesn't seem like the primary boosters supply fuel at idle on a properly working carb (maybe it atomizes and I can't see it), but I would expect fuel to be metered through the base, right at the throttle plates to allow a measure of progression as you crack the throttle open. Is there an idle circuit in the base flange? I haven't noticed anything online mentioning one, but I would think so. Basically, I could use a little educating w/ respect to Holleys, so I figured the C3 guys would be the most likely to help.
Thanks again,
Crit
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Hill GA
Well, honestly, this is a car that I'm selling. The new owner didn't see any value in a very expensive sidedraft carb, so I've dropped the Holley on it so I can sell the other setup on the side. The carb came as a spare with another car with the same setup, so it's jetted correctly and everything else. It ran fine and I'm hesitant to make any changes, simply because this was an overnight thing. I'm wondering if my intake manifold is perhaps warped as a result of overspilled water on a warm engine (all aluminum manifold, alternating iron and aluminum block), but I wouldn't expect so.
My main question right now is this: How does a Holley idle? It doesn't seem like the primary boosters supply fuel at idle on a properly working carb (maybe it atomizes and I can't see it), but I would expect fuel to be metered through the base, right at the throttle plates to allow a measure of progression as you crack the throttle open. Is there an idle circuit in the base flange? I haven't noticed anything online mentioning one, but I would think so. Basically, I could use a little educating w/ respect to Holleys, so I figured the C3 guys would be the most likely to help.
Thanks again,
Crit
My main question right now is this: How does a Holley idle? It doesn't seem like the primary boosters supply fuel at idle on a properly working carb (maybe it atomizes and I can't see it), but I would expect fuel to be metered through the base, right at the throttle plates to allow a measure of progression as you crack the throttle open. Is there an idle circuit in the base flange? I haven't noticed anything online mentioning one, but I would think so. Basically, I could use a little educating w/ respect to Holleys, so I figured the C3 guys would be the most likely to help.
Thanks again,
Crit
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Hill GA
No, I have the power valve blocked off and the jets are 2 sizes larger. I wish I had a better idea of exactly what's wrong and how to chase it down. Do y'all know how the idle circuits work?
