I have a 78 F150 that I am rebuilding. I will need to put a smog legal carb back on in the near future. It looks as if my choices are the Holley 4180, Motorcraft 4350 or the Edelbrock 1400. I have a 460 and I will probably put an Edelbrock Performer smog legal intake manifold on it. The Edelbrock carb is 600 cfm, not sure on the other two. The truck will primarily be used for off-roading but has to pass smog. Any recommendations?

 

Go to www.Summitracing.com and check out their Holley carbs. Holley makes a direct replacement carb that is street legal and factory tuned for your truck. Holley carbs are easy to work on once you know how they operate.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HL...50&prefilter=1

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HL...50&prefilter=1

Both of the above carbs are street legal and the second one is 50 state legal.

Good luck.

 

I did look at that 4160. On another forum right after I posted this same question I saw someone else posting about Holley carbs leaking. All the follow up posts confirmed problems they had with leaking Holleys. Have you heard anything about that?

 

I've had a 4160 model on my '68 Ranchero with a 289 ci, with -0- issues whatsoever since 2002.

Leaks from where? I have a Percy's Neoprene Carb to Intake gasket that has never leaked once on my square bore Edelbrock Intake. Before that, the standard Mr. Gasket brand carb to intake gaskets would dry up after a year or so and leak. I replaced the standard fuel bowl gaskets with Neoprene gaskets and they have never leaked.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Percys/760/660...oductId=743829

http://www.jegs.com/i/Moroso/710/652...oductId=743753
These are great if you want/need to re-jet the primaries.

I have the following parts installed on my 4160 model carb.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Percys/760/660...oductId=743829
http://www.jegs.com/i/Moroso/710/652...oductId=743753
http://www.jegs.com/i/Holley/510/20-...oductId=743875
http://www.jegs.com/i/Moroso/710/652...oductId=743805
and larger squirter nozzles and primary jets. I have my carb tuned for performance.

The easiest and quickest way to set-up your new Holley carb is by reading the complete install instructions prior to touching the carb. It will walk you through the install step by step.

I used to have a serious dislike for Holley Carb's until I finally read the install instructions on my latest Holley carb (2002).

Good luck,
James