The famed Holley Economaster - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Ziegelsteinfaust · 10-25-2020, 01:42 PM

My dad has a Holley economaster carb on a 327 he bought, and it needs a rebuild. From what I can from the outside it is a small journal 327 block 30 over with 64 283 heads. With a quick running on the bench it sounds stock with no noticeable performance cam sounds.

My Dad would like to keep it since it looks different then typical 4 barrels, and he is putting the whole engine in a 28 Hotrod at a later date. Kind of reminiscent of the wcfb 4 barrel of the 50's.

I know they are not that great on 350's in heavy vehicles, but are really bad. Or do they have any defects. Think 80 year old man driving around looking cool.

**MySons68C20** · 10-25-2020, 06:19 PM

Do you have some pics?

68Gold/white · 10-25-2020, 06:48 PM

Biggest thing, is if it's working properly, right now. Not sure how available a kit would be for one now.
I had one on a 283, worked pretty good, after some work. The jets in it were NOT the ones the Holley book showed it to come with, they were several sizes smaller. I got some bigger jets, that made it run fine
I'd use one of those carbs, have no issues, from my past experiences.

toolboxchev · 10-25-2020, 10:08 PM

From what I remember some people loved those older Holleys in general. Others hated them.

I can remember my Dad always working on a Holley we had on a 71 Mach I Mustang.

Ziegelsteinfaust · 10-25-2020, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Biggest thing, is if it's working properly, right now. Not sure how available a kit would be for one now.
I had one on a 283, worked pretty good, after some work. The jets in it were NOT the ones the Holley book showed it to come with, they were several sizes smaller. I got some bigger jets, that made it run fine
I'd use one of those carbs, have no issues, from my past experiences.

It sort of works. It was on a engine stored in Barstow for about 20 years. So it needs a rebuild, and to be cleaned.

**3757chevy** · 10-26-2020, 12:59 AM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HOLLEY-REBU...EAAOSwzsNcgbl2 ...I think this might be what you are looking for...Holley kit #37-1540 . The image on Holleys web site shows a different picture ,but the instruction sheet shows the correct view. =199r8015.pdf

Tom · 10-26-2020, 05:21 PM

Famed yet I've never heard of it after 22yrs or so in the scene. Interesting.

**AussieinNC** · 10-26-2020, 07:46 PM

Smaller flow capabilities during the gas crisis lead to the development of these.

Low air flow equates to lower horsepower....and sometimes an increase in MPG....but....most drivers just used more pedal to get up to speed.

If its a true Holley you should be able to buy kits...look on the air horn on the top for serial numbers etc.

**3757chevy** · 10-27-2020, 11:51 AM

The #'s will be stamped on the machined flat above the fuel inlet. I posted the Holley kit # in an earlier post.

Ziegelsteinfaust · 10-27-2020, 02:29 PM

Thanks, I tried that number but it didn't come up with much.

As I was plying around with Holley search terms I found it online.

10-25-2020, 01:42 PM	#1
Ziegelsteinfaust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temple City Posts: 3,558	The famed Holley Economaster My dad has a Holley economaster carb on a 327 he bought, and it needs a rebuild. From what I can from the outside it is a small journal 327 block 30 over with 64 283 heads. With a quick running on the bench it sounds stock with no noticeable performance cam sounds. My Dad would like to keep it since it looks different then typical 4 barrels, and he is putting the whole engine in a 28 Hotrod at a later date. Kind of reminiscent of the wcfb 4 barrel of the 50's. I know they are not that great on 350's in heavy vehicles, but are really bad. Or do they have any defects. Think 80 year old man driving around looking cool.

10-25-2020, 06:19 PM	#2
MySons68C20 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wenatchee, Wa Posts: 897	Re: The famed Holley Economaster Do you have some pics?

10-25-2020, 10:08 PM	#4
toolboxchev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road. Posts: 2,629	Re: The famed Holley Economaster From what I remember some people loved those older Holleys in general. Others hated them. I can remember my Dad always working on a Holley we had on a 71 Mach I Mustang.

10-26-2020, 12:59 AM	#6
3757chevy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Near Canon City ,Colorado Posts: 3,837	Re: The famed Holley Economaster https://www.ebay.com/itm/HOLLEY-REBU...EAAOSwzsNcgbl2 ...I think this might be what you are looking for...Holley kit #37-1540 . The image on Holleys web site shows a different picture ,but the instruction sheet shows the correct view. =199r8015.pdf __________________ '35 1/2 ton Pickup (bought 2020) '68 C10 Suburban (bought 2021) '72 K5 Blazer (bought 2013) '67 Stepside (bought 1997-sold 2021) '96 Bronco Eddie Bauer (inherited 2010) My 1st day here-'67 C10(sold)and '72 K5 Blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=702056 "Another Blue Chevy"(1935) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=799203 '68 Burb...https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=822994 MIKE Last edited by 3757chevy; 10-26-2020 at 01:13 AM.

10-26-2020, 05:21 PM	#7
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,690	Re: The famed Holley Economaster Famed yet I've never heard of it after 22yrs or so in the scene. Interesting. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

10-25-2020, 06:48 PM	#3
68Gold/white Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ark City, Kansas Posts: 3,272	Re: The famed Holley Economaster Biggest thing, is if it's working properly, right now. Not sure how available a kit would be for one now. I had one on a 283, worked pretty good, after some work. The jets in it were NOT the ones the Holley book showed it to come with, they were several sizes smaller. I got some bigger jets, that made it run fine I'd use one of those carbs, have no issues, from my past experiences.

10-26-2020, 07:46 PM	#8
AussieinNC Moderator Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 2,153	Re: The famed Holley Economaster Smaller flow capabilities during the gas crisis lead to the development of these. Low air flow equates to lower horsepower....and sometimes an increase in MPG....but....most drivers just used more pedal to get up to speed. If its a true Holley you should be able to buy kits...look on the air horn on the top for serial numbers etc. __________________ Family and country before all others... 2006 Chevy Silverado (Daily Driver) 2012 Chevy Equinox

10-27-2020, 11:51 AM	#9
3757chevy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Near Canon City ,Colorado Posts: 3,837	Re: The famed Holley Economaster The #'s will be stamped on the machined flat above the fuel inlet. I posted the Holley kit # in an earlier post. Attached Images __________________ '35 1/2 ton Pickup (bought 2020) '68 C10 Suburban (bought 2021) '72 K5 Blazer (bought 2013) '67 Stepside (bought 1997-sold 2021) '96 Bronco Eddie Bauer (inherited 2010) My 1st day here-'67 C10(sold)and '72 K5 Blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=702056 "Another Blue Chevy"(1935) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=799203 '68 Burb...https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=822994 MIKE

10-27-2020, 02:29 PM	#10
Ziegelsteinfaust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temple City Posts: 3,558	Re: The famed Holley Economaster Thanks, I tried that number but it didn't come up with much. As I was plying around with Holley search terms I found it online.



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