Holley Help
 

Okay boys, I am in need of someone’s ‘trade secrets’. I am rebuilding a few Holley carbs here and one is kickin’ my a**! The fiber gaskets (actually look ‘leather-like’) are rock hard to where getting bowls off is ‘more than a chore’. Bowls are finally off and I am soaking them in WD-40 hoping the gaskets will soften so I can scrape off the remaining material. I have one metering block that will not come free (also soaking in WD-40). Prying on the block is NOT the answer…been there, done that. I haven’t pulled out the 16 lb. sledge as yet…but the thought has passed through this feeble little brain. Does anyone have suggestions above and beyond the WD-40?

Thanx in advance for a solution.

Rich

Re: Holley Help
 

Contact Eric Jackson, Owner Proprietor of Vintage Musclecar Parts a sponsor here on the site. He rebuilds everybody's Holley here on the site, work is perfect, prices are extremely reasonable and most importantly a wealth of FREE knowledge and advice, recommend him highly. SULLY

Re: Holley Help
 

Rich;

In these instances, the best approach is to buy a 5 gallon bucket of carb cleaner (NAPA sells a decent one, but it's ~$90.00 for a 5 gallon pail) and let the carb (along with the stuck metering block) soak for at least a few hours. The carb cleaner will usually weaken the glue bond enough where you can get the carb apart.

Whatever you do, do NOT try the old trick of jamming a screwdriver/scraper/whatever in between the carb body and the metering block on the side(s) of the carb; the main body castings are very weak in this area, and it it very easy to bend them...or worse.

A little patience (and a good bucket of carb cleaner) will go a long way.

Hope this helps.
Eric