I purchased a 600 cfm Holley maual choke for my stepdad's '71 Duster. This is NOT the first Holley I have ever purchased and have had this problem before, so here goes.
Installed the carb (hadn't adjusted the idle the throttle was set closed, adjuster not making contact w/throttle lever. Started the car and died (like it should have), adjusted to where the screw was just making contact, and engine idled up to 1800 rpms. Checked the fast idle cam screw (not making contact and shouldn't have been as choke was full open). Tried adjusting 1/4 turn back car died. Got out the carb spray to check for vaccuum leaks as new intake as well. No vaccuum leaks. Checked initial timing (was right where it should be with a performance cam 10 deg.initial, full advance by 2500 no vaccuum advance-a proven setup on mopars). Could never get this carb to idle down. Called tech and they suggested what I already had done. Got no answers from them and no suggestion of a defective carb, no offer of replacement or refund, or even wanting to get carb back to see exactly what problem was.
I have purchased in my time six holleys, and have a 50/50 record with getting a quality product. However, in those days the shops you would get the carbs from would give you a replacement until you got one that was tuneable, and actually worked properly. I have e-mailed them to let them know what I have been through with this carb (we since replaed the holley with an edelbrock-upon cold start the idle was set ALMOST perfect - just had to adjust fast idle for the choke-hooked up vacuum gauge to set mixture and found it to be perfect from the factory). I also took the holley with me to see if I could compare it with the ones I had at home and even installed it on my engine in my ford and have the same problem with this carb on my engine that already had a holey intalled. Let them know this-no reply.
I have since talked to people that I have met at cruise ins and at the strip and have found that they have the same luck 50/50 and when they have contac ted holley over this matter have been told that since they installed the carb oin their vehicle they will not replace it.
This company has no real concern about their customers that are builiding street engines-I wonder if the big name NASCAR guys get this kind of customer service from them as holley is the OFFICIAL carb of NASCAR. Of course they get the ultimate in quality control as they give MILLIONS of dollars to them in PR and marketing. I am going with edelbrock, and advise anyone with a street engine to do the same. I am through with getting treated like I'm some idiot who has never tuned and engine so that they can sidestep any responsibility for the lackluster product they make.
0 comments