Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car??

Posted By: E-Ticket

Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/06/12 05:02 AM

Need to buy a carb. for a 1971 440, stick car with a purple stripe. I want a hassle free, no nonsense, bolt it on, fine tune it and go carb. for a cruise & daily driver type situation.

What are your recommendations?? I'm thinking maybe an Edelbrock with an electric choke??

Thanks in advance!!

Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/06/12 05:04 AM

Holley HP950

Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/06/12 07:00 AM

Quote:

I want a hassle free, no nonsense, bolt it on, fine tune it and go carb.

No such thing. Period. Most carb problems on this board are from people who think like this. A carb can't jump out of a box and know what your engine wants. You can't just throw a carb on, play with the idle screws and expect it to be done. They sell tuning kits for a reason. Jets, rods, power valves, accelerator pump cams and nozzles, secondary springs, etc.

Posted By: chargincharles

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/06/12 08:21 AM

Quote:

Quote:

I want a hassle free, no nonsense, bolt it on, fine tune it and go carb.

No such thing. Period. Most carb problems on this board are from people who think like this. A carb can't jump out of a box and know what your engine wants. You can't just throw a carb on, play with the idle screws and expect it to be done. They sell tuning kits for a reason. Jets, rods, power valves, accelerator pump cams and nozzles, secondary springs, etc.

Technically true- the only exception I have ever used was a Predator PX6000- this is a variable venturi carb that basically tunes itself. The X version had an idle circuit. You could change a set of cams though to richen/lean the mixture- but this was an across the board set change, not a specific change. They can be found still but they are $$$, and strangely enough very tall. I had hood clearance issues with it....Hell of a carb though.....

Now- that being said-
I agree totally. On a standard Holley or Carter/Edelbrock- Yes- every engine is different and the carb must be tuned for that engine.
Despite what Holley advertises as a 'Bolt-it-on-and-go' Street Avenger series I believe they call it- you will have to do some tuning.

To answer the question - I'd use a Edelbrock AVS series, and I'd start with what would have been the standard needle/jetting for a typical 440 of that time and work from there. Yes- you will need a tuning kit with different needles/jets and springs. A good selection of pump squirters isn't a bad idea either, even though you can drill out the one's you have if need be. But the factory 440 tune is a good starting point- but ONLY a starting point.

It's not that I don't like the Holley- yes a 950HP would definitely do the job- it's just that I like not having gaskets below fuel level in carb, and the ease of tunability of the Edelbrock/Carter's.

Just MY opinion.
Your other option would be one of the new bolt-on FI units that are now coming to market. They truly are just bolt-on and go, as they self-tune. Again, cost is the consideration there as well.

Whatever you do, buy one of the either Carter or Holley tuning books that are readily available out there(depending on which carb you buy), read it, and proceed accordingly.

Enjoy!
CC.

Posted By: bobs66440

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/06/12 10:47 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I want a hassle free, no nonsense, bolt it on, fine tune it and go carb.

No such thing. Period. Most carb problems on this board are from people who think like this. A carb can't jump out of a box and know what your engine wants. You can't just throw a carb on, play with the idle screws and expect it to be done. They sell tuning kits for a reason. Jets, rods, power valves, accelerator pump cams and nozzles, secondary springs, etc.

Technically true- the only exception I have ever used was a Predator PX6000- this is a variable venturi carb that basically tunes itself. The X version had an idle circuit. You could change a set of cams though to richen/lean the mixture- but this was an across the board set change, not a specific change. They can be found still but they are $$$, and strangely enough very tall. I had hood clearance issues with it....Hell of a carb though.....

Now- that being said-
I agree totally. On a standard Holley or Carter/Edelbrock- Yes- every engine is different and the carb must be tuned for that engine.
Despite what Holley advertises as a 'Bolt-it-on-and-go' Street Avenger series I believe they call it- you will have to do some tuning.

To answer the question - I'd use a Edelbrock AVS series, and I'd start with what would have been the standard needle/jetting for a typical 440 of that time and work from there. Yes- you will need a tuning kit with different needles/jets and springs. A good selection of pump squirters isn't a bad idea either, even though you can drill out the one's you have if need be. But the factory 440 tune is a good starting point- but ONLY a starting point.

It's not that I don't like the Holley- yes a 950HP would definitely do the job- it's just that I like not having gaskets below fuel level in carb, and the ease of tunability of the Edelbrock/Carter's.

Just MY opinion.
Your other option would be one of the new bolt-on FI units that are now coming to market. They truly are just bolt-on and go, as they self-tune. Again, cost is the consideration there as well.

Whatever you do, buy one of the either Carter or Holley tuning books that are readily available out there(depending on which carb you buy), read it, and proceed accordingly.

Enjoy!
CC.

Every Eddy carb I've had (for the exception of one 750) including the two that are on my 440 now, have been maintenance free and very reliable. One 600 I installed on my 'Vette was near perfect A/F ratio out of the box. The only thing I had to do was adjust the idle. That was it.

Posted By: nd65

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/06/12 01:20 PM

Holley 3110 750 vac secondaries on mine.

Ben at Promax went through mine. Money well spent. Great guy to do business with.

Posted By: terzmo

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/06/12 01:43 PM

I run pro form carbs on all My small and Big blocks. Site glass for bowl levels..electric choke...dual feed,double pump..air bleeds are easy to work..I run a 750 on the small...950 on the 498 stroker...suggest a minimum of 750 on BB motor...great performance and way cheaper than comparable holly

Posted By: Dodgem

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/06/12 02:07 PM

My feeling is a 4 speed needs a double pumper. probably a 750
http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=750%20double%20pumper&dds=1
If you must have a choke order one with the electric choke option.

which cam, intake and is the dizzy re curved for the cam?

That said I like the 3310's too updated Avenger
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HLY-0-80770/

Says electric choke this is basically the 3310
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HLY-0-80508SA/

Posted By: Mr.Yuck

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/06/12 02:45 PM

depends on your set-up...if you are running a 509 or 484 cam and you have low compression, almost any carb is going to require some tuning. The old school "purple" cams like compression, air flow, converter and gear. You have a stick so the convert is not an issue. As mentioned nothing is out of the box ready to roll. I guess if you don't want to deal w/ anything then go w/ a 800 thunder. It won't be perfect nor will it give you the best performace. Tuning the carb is only a start. A DP will give you great performace but it will require a little more time to tweak. I vote for 3 holleys, They will give you the best of both worlds, performace and driviblity. If you give us move engine/car info perhaps a better response can be made.

Posted By: HYPER8oSoNic

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/06/12 11:00 PM

As said before, depends on the combo you have:

Stock iron heads, low to medium compression, dual plane intake, Magnum cam to "3/4" cam (moderate lift), 750 vac/ 800 TQ for auto.
750 DP - 850 DP for stick jobs.
"Six Pack" setup is an option.

Aluminum heads or pocket ported iron heads, performance intake (RPM or small SP), headers, "hot"
hydro cam or small duration hi-lift solid cam with higher compression built into motor.
850 vac or DP for autos w/gear and converter. Can run "Six Pack" setup if motor is tuned right.
950 HP for stick jobs, or HIGHER stall converter autos.

"All Out"/"Limited Street" or "Stroker RB" - 950HP or higher cfm
carb (read: Dominator or Cross-ram territory) needed to feed high-flowing heads with big solids or "moderate" to big lift rollers.

Just a very general guide, actual cfm carb needed depends on displacement and rpm (effective) limit
of motor.

Posted By: JohnRR

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/06/12 11:04 PM

Quote:

Need to buy a carb. for a 1971 440, stick car with a purple stripe. I want a hassle free, no nonsense, bolt it on, fine tune it and go carb. for a cruise & daily driver type situation.

What are your recommendations?? I'm thinking maybe an Edelbrock with an electric choke??

Thanks in advance!!

You don't want an ebrock if you want HASSLE FREE ... if the latest trend of forum questions is an indicator ...

Holley 3310 750cfm

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/07/12 12:11 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Need to buy a carb. for a 1971 440, stick car with a purple stripe. I want a hassle free, no nonsense, bolt it on, fine tune it and go carb. for a cruise & daily driver type situation.

What are your recommendations?? I'm thinking maybe an Edelbrock with an electric choke??

Thanks in advance!!

You don't want an ebrock if you want HASSLE FREE ... if the latest trend of forum questions is an indicator ...

Holley 3310 750cfm

Perfect setup for a street motor. Make sure and get the throttle extension lever (part # 20-7) for the correct geometry and you're all set.

Posted By: JonC

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/07/12 01:04 AM

TQ.

Posted By: RSNOMO

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/07/12 01:24 AM

'I like not having gaskets below fuel level in carb, and the ease of tunability of the Edelbrock/Carter's.'

Bullseye...

Got a 750 Edelbrock over a 440 with a '.484'...

Have not had 'percolation' issues...(It is an older carb)...

Posted By: E-Ticket

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/07/12 02:24 AM

The engine set up is very basic....71 B-body, 440, 4-speed, all stock except cam, (purple stripe 284, 484), iron heads, all stock. Basically what I meant by hassle free, bolt it on, fine tune and go is....short of using the stock factory carb. for this motor, there are so many carbs. out today that are for a variety of uses that it seems like there to many options.

Also, what I meant as far as hassle free......maybe I should have said "least amount of trouble" for a start and go situation. I'm asking this only because all of these new carb. options available today, I'm sure there have been positive and negative experiences with these "brand new" carbs. and am looking for the best option.

A couple of friends of mine are using the Edelbrock's for pleasure use and this car would see more than pleasure use.

Thanks!!!

Posted By: RSNOMO

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/07/12 03:23 AM

There are several individuals that run in Pure Stock that do rather well with Carter's...

Posted By: Mr.Yuck

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/07/12 01:10 PM

Quote:

The engine set up is very basic....71 B-body, 440, 4-speed, all stock except cam, (purple stripe 284, 484), iron heads, all stock. Basically what I meant by hassle free, bolt it on, fine tune and go is....short of using the stock factory carb. for this motor, there are so many carbs. out today that are for a variety of uses that it seems like there to many options.

Also, what I meant as far as hassle free......maybe I should have said "least amount of trouble" for a start and go situation. I'm asking this only because all of these new carb. options available today, I'm sure there have been positive and negative experiences with these "brand new" carbs. and am looking for the best option.

A couple of friends of mine are using the Edelbrock's for pleasure use and this car would see more than pleasure use.

Thanks!!!

by stock build if you are sayig you are using a stock intake and stock mani's and used stock replacment pistons, you might want to swap out that cam. I don't think you will be very happy with it. What cars are you friends running E's on? a 440 is a different animal than a SBF or Chevy. If you try and use the 750 Eddy carb and that 484 cam you will be pulling your hair out.

Posted By: JohnRR

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/07/12 02:14 PM

Quote:

There are several individuals that run in Pure Stock that do rather well with Carter's...

Yes there are but there is just something about the ebrocks.

OP stay away from the PREFORMER 750 , you are asking for trouble , if you can find an old carter comp 750 go with that.

I have one that is a Mopar specific carb that doesn't need the throttle lever adaptor , oddly though the fuel inlet was on the WRONG side of the carb ??? I ended up buying a top from carter , but it's like the thunder series tops with a fuel inlet on both sides , I'm going to swap an ebrock performer series top onto it at some point .

Posted By: 383man

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/07/12 05:06 PM

I will say every time I work with one of my buddies who use an Eddy carb we have to fatten it up. Seems unless your eng is very stock they are always lean and cause part throttle surge. They can work fine but if you dont know carbs very well I would not recomend it. Unless you have someone who will tune the carb for you. Myself I run DP's on my cars and love them but I want performance. I agree that for you a basic 750 Holley vac secondary would work good. Ron

Posted By: moparpollack

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/07/12 09:36 PM

Quote:

Quote:

There are several individuals that run in Pure Stock that do rather well with Carter's...

Yes there are but there is just something about the ebrocks.

OP stay away from the PREFORMER 750 , you are asking for trouble , if you can find an old carter comp 750 go with that.

I have one that is a Mopar specific carb that doesn't need the throttle lever adaptor , oddly though the fuel inlet was on the
WRONG side of the carb ??? I ended up buying a top from carter , but it's like the thunder series tops with a fuel inlet on both sides , I'm going to swap an ebrock performer series top onto it at some point .

Dwayne Porter did a carb test and the 750 edelbrock always put out he lowest hp rating. The edelbrock 750 just doesnt put out power like other carbs.

Posted By: chargincharles

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/08/12 09:28 AM

Dwayne Porter did a carb test and the 750 edelbrock always put out he lowest hp rating. The edelbrock 750 just doesnt put out power like other carbs.

Ya know I've never had any luck with the Edelbrock carbs. The 'AFB' clone just doesn't seem to work right.
I've always just bought a eBay, Swap meet, junkyard, etc- AVS carb, rebuilt it with a Jiffy or Hygrade Kit and then went from there.
On smallblocks I look for a 340-spec AVS, for bigblocks I look for a 440 spec. They still can be found for relatively cheap and with a little effort, they perform WAAAAAAY better than the 'new' Edelbrocks.
I figure the factory spent hundreds of hours in the dyno rooms, and thousands of dollars to get the right set up with the right engine. If your engine is just mildly warmed up (which it sounds like it is) then it's hard to second guess all of that testing.

For reference on my current setup-
on a 318 with Magnum Heads, RV-spec cam (nothing too wild at all, just a decent milage/torque cam), Air-Gap intake is a 1970 340-spec AVS originally for a automatic car. Got it off of eBay for $75.00.
I did the 'paint-can' carb cleaner dip, got a rebuild kit from Mancini racing, and set up the needles/jets and springs for the 340 (Using e-berger reference materials published many, MANY times over). When I started tuning I had to step up the jets 1 size, kept the same rods, and then used a lighter spring. Moved the accellerator linkage to the bottom position- and good to go.
That was 5 years ago. I've had it apart once to clean it since, but other than that it's been pretty much maintenance free.
This is on a big, heavy 1982 Chrysler New Yorker that I put 8-10,000 miles a year on in the summers.
One hint- avoid the plastic accellerator pumps they put in the Edelbrock rebuild kits. The Mancini kit used the proper metal pump with the leather seal.
Also-The edelbrock tuning kits are really a dead knock-off of the old Zip Kits that Carter used to sell. So finding rods, jets and springs is super easy. The squirters though you'll have to work from what you have and be confident enough to drill and/or fill and drill again to get it right. In my case, the 340 carb had the right size squirter to begin with, so no need to modify it- just the timing/amount of the squirt (by adjusting the linkage rod itself/moving the hole the linkage is in). Super easy there as well.

Finally- someone mentioned the TQ. I'd say excellent choice except I always found that it's hard to get parts for a TQ (other than the rebuild kits). Great Carb though. Once set up a big TQ would more than handle that 440. And there IS something about the sound a TQ makes when those big secondaries come online. Nothing else quite like that sound.

Good Luck with it.
CC.

Posted By: gch

Re: Which Street Carb. for 440 Stick Car?? - 09/08/12 07:08 PM

I believe he has a squarebore intake so I would say a 750 Holley vacuum secondary.If you want to get a fancier model from one of the carb shops with screw in air bleeds,secondary metering block,milled(or contoured)choke horn,and already setup and adjusted you may save some hassle and not have to upgrade later for mild mods to the motor.
Jesse at Biggs did an 850 DP for me and I barely had to adjust the thing.