Just between us, Dan, the Holley needs some changes to work with the
Buick. I'm pretty much a rookie and have found that people on this
list frequently gloss over essential stuff they assume everyone
knows. There's also some difference of opinion.
Here's what I've gleaned. The stock Holley 390 needs to be rejetted
to run right on this little engine. I've got some numbers at home I
can send you. Also, the stock carb does not have the metering block
for the secondaries, and you need that to make it run right. It's
around $60-70 and allows you to adjust all of the factors for the
secondary. You will also probably have to change the spring in the
vacuum secondary that controls when they kick in. They say that it
pays to pick a slightly different cam for the accelerator pump
linkage so that it squirts less gas. You apparently need to drill
three nickle-sized holes on the choke plate to keep it from
overchoking. Other than that, you just toss it on there....
At least that will give you some basis for asking questions.
Don't believe everything you read either here or in Hardcastle's
book. Watch out for advice from people who are getting 400 hp
out of their engines with wild cams and superchargers; that's not
what you have.
Glen Wilson
> From: Perry Robinson <PROBINSO@flower-mound.com>
> To: "'Daniel Jones'" <djones2@mdc.com>
> Cc: "'buick-rover-v8@autox.team.net'"
><buick-rover-v8@autox.team.net>
> Subject: RE: Parts Interchangeability -Reply
> Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1999 14:57:10 -0600
> Reply-to: Perry Robinson <PROBINSO@flower-mound.com>
> Thanks Dan!
>
> Sounds like you have some hard data to back that up with. I currently am
> running a bone stock (junkyard pullout) 1980 SD1 3.5l, with a 4bbl buick
> intake(with adapter plate) and a Holley 390. Installed the Holley straight
> out of the box, just set the float level, and go. Carb. seems to flood at
> idle, and seems to run very rich. What jets does this carb come with stock,
> and which are preferred? Also, engine seems to cut out at high rpm. Can't
> tell if its fuel starvation, or whether its valve float. (no working tach
> yet!) I am running a Autozone generic electric fuel pump throught the stock
> TR7 fuel lines.
>
> Any advise?
>
> PS-the 4bbl buick w/adapter creates some clearance problems with the hood,
> with all but the slimmest air cleaners, is the Edelbrock any lower? (or
> HIGHER?)
>
> Thanks!
> Perry
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Daniel Jones [SMTP:djones2@mdc.com]
> > Sent: Thursday, March 25, 1999 2:03 PM
> > To: buick-rover-v8@autox.team.net; PROBINSO@flower-mound.com
> > Subject: Parts Interchangeability -Reply
> >
> > >Does anyone (other than Silv-o-lite) make a performance piston (9.5comp)
> > or
> > >higher piston for the Rover? I have been told that Chevy Vega pistons
> > are
> > >the same 3.5 in. bore size, and on a recent post, someone mentioned that
> > >Chevy 2.8 V-6 pistons would fit the Buick. I am assuming (and WE ALL
> > know
> > >what that means) that the Chevy parts are going to be more available, and
> > >inexpensive, than an aftermarket item.
> >
> > You assume too much. While there are several different pistons
> > that will fit the bore, the pin heights are not necessarily in the
> > right place for a stock rod and crank. The pistons mentioned
> > yield the desired compression with a 300 crank and heads.
> > There may be pistons that will work but you'll need to do the
> > research with the piston catalogs for the proper pin heigth and
> > diameter.
> >
> > Ted and Woody both deal with pistons. You might see what
> > they have.
> >
> > >What cam do you recommend? Glen Towery says to stick with the stocker.
> >
> > You might want to contact Woody Cooper. He's done a number of
> > custom Sig Erson cams for the 3.5.
> >
> > >What about carbs? I've been running the Holley 390, but I'm not real
> > happy
> > >with it. Has anyone used the Edelbrock Performer 500 cfm carb? I have a
> > >stock 4bbl bop intake, what is the "best" intake. (I have read
> > Hardcastle's
> > >book, but don't think the Offy is the way to go anymore) Has anyone
> > >actually used or is running, the Edelbrock Performer?
> >
> > Ted Schumacher is doing an dyno intake comparison and has a couple
> > of my intakes (Offy Dual Port and Buick 4 bbl). I think he also plans
> > to test the Edelbrock intake. He's using a Holley 390 with some carb
> > guru modifications.
> >
> > I've got several carbs to play with (holley 390, Carter 400, Edelbrock
> > 500, Edelbrock 600) but it will be awhile before I actually finish the
> > engine to see which one I like best. I tend to prefer the
> > Carter/Edelbrock
> > carbs but I've made Holleys work too.
> >
> > >My car is mostly used for highway use, and I like the idea of passing
> > with
> > >lots of power at highway speeds. I'm not really into the "stoplight drag
> > >race" type engine, but I also don't want an engine that doesn't make
> > power
> > >until 5,000 rpm!
> >
> > You definately want compression. Shoot for 10:1 compression
> > and a cam with 110 lobe centers and whatever duration fits your
> > rpm range. Probably a little extra duration and lift on the exhaust
> > to crutch up the smal exhaust port. Bowl port the heads and consider
> > oversize valves. Run headers - both Ted and woody carry the
> > tri-y's for TR8's. Buick/Olds 4 bbl intake with spacer or Edelbrock
> > Performer.
> >
> > Dan Jones
>
Glen R. Wilson <GlenWilson@worldnet.att.net>
Suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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