There's no denying that vintage engines have come of age. Look around and you will see plenty of Hemis, Nailheads, Y-blocks, and, yes, arguably the king of vintage motors, the Chevy W-motor (348/409). (And for those fans of Street Rodder you have already noticed the vintage engine series over the past few issues. This issue has the Rocket 88 bent eight.)
While you may feel good about rounding up one of these yesteryear powerplants, the real trick isn't as much getting parts and pieces to screw the motor back together, but rather how to "top it off." Carburetion, my friend, the controlled fuel leak; yesteryear's technology, but to all hot orders there is nothing like vintage carburetion (that works!) to really set off your vintage engine.
Finding these vintage carbs is a challenge, but they are out there. The real trick is to get them back into topflight working order. Something you would actually trust driving. That's where the Holley Custom Shop comes neatly into the picture. For decades I've had a pair of Chevy Rochester 4-Jet carbs that were originally intended to go on my early Corvette. Well, the story about best-laid plans and the Corvette is long gone, but the carbs were neatly tucked away in my garage. I find myself talking to Matt Held of Holley about these carbs. He then reminds me of the Holley Custom Shop that repairs vintage carbs of all types, not just Holley's. Then the proverbial light bulb went off. On an earlier trip to Holley I had gone through the shop and was fascinated by just what they did have to bring back to life those old "leakers." (Holley is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, some 115 miles south of Louisville.)
I can hear it now: "But my carburetors aren't Holleys." Not to worry. The Custom Shop will return any Holley, Carter, Motorcraft, or Rochester carburetor to original-equipment appearance and performance. There, does it get any better? Follow along and we will take you through the refurbish treatment of our tired 4-Jet carbs.
