I have a 57 T-Bird with the 312 4V, with what I believe is the original fuel tank, and a card that was put on 3 1/2 years ago.  It started running really bad.  The float on the rear bowl was sticking.  I had to have the crap cleaned out of the fuel bowl,  It is a 4150 list # 1850-9. During the cleaning process, I was shown tiny cracks on the inside of the fuel bowl and metering block. They appear to be surface cracks, but there also what looks like tiny bubbles in the casting. I was told by someone I consider very knowledgable that the current Holley carburetors can't hold a candle (quality wise) to the older original stuff.

I also found out that the fuel filter on my recently acquired 57, did not have a cartridge/filter in the  filter bowl. This allowed the fuel bowls of the carb to get loaded up with all kinds of crud from the tank.. Until I can get a period correct filter, we installed an simple AC in-line fuel filter.

Fast forward 1 week:

After driving it for a total of about 20 miles,with the brand new filter, the float on the rear bowl was sticking again. After taking the bowl off, it was once again full of $hit. Seems that the new modern filter that we put on is not stopping the junk from the tank. As it turns out, when removing the rear bowl, we also found that the hair line crack was more than a surface crack. It went all the way through to the outside and is leaking. Now I definitely need a new carburetor, but I also need to replace the fuel system as well. There's no sense in putting a new carb on there, without doing the tank, as it would just screw up the new carb with the same crud. I cannot believe the absolute piece of crap this 3 year old carb is. I have always thought Holley was a top of the line product. I was told that they had some quality issues when they transferred production over seas. Does anyone know if they have been corrected? I want to get an 1848 465 CFM to replace what's on there now, but not if it's going to be the same type of junk that this one is.

My second question. I have been told that it's the fiberglass sock over the fuel pickup that is probably disintegrating and that is the junk coming from the tank. Well the tank is almost full of premium, and I don't feel like throwing out 18 gallons. Does anyone know of a filter that will properly filter the gas as I siphon it out of the tank.

Update:

  A couple people recommended that I give Holey a call and see if there is anything they would do.  Well I finally got a chance to call them today.  I explained the situation to one of their Tech Service guys.  He asked for the List # and the date code.  He said that back in 2006, Holley had a problem with castings from a new vendor.  Can you belieive it, the list # and Date code fall within the problem range.  He told me to pull the carb, and send it to him.  He will check it over, and if, as he suspects, it's related to the casting issue, he will send me a new carb.    Does anybody have a good way to send a gas soaked carburetor through the mail?

Bill Poland

312 V8 - in a 1957 T-Bird

Baltimore, Maryland

Try 2 or 3 paint strainers stacked together, might work.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

AC Delco has a canister filter assembly part number GF62. Uses the same pleated element as a later edition Ford truck - some 60's 289's and numerous other vehicles. It has two 1/4 NPT inlet/outlet ports - and a couple 5/16 UNF mounting holes at the top.

 

It will take fuel pump pressure - and when clean has almost no restriction at full flow.

This one is modified by drilling and tapping a 1/8 NPT port into the top (through one of the screw holes) to provide a guage port.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

The new List 1848 Holleys I’ve run on Y engines recently have been fine.  Zero issues and do run great in their ‘out of the box’ condition.  I did run a pair of reasonably new 1850-10’s last Saturday on a dual quad setup and they are going to have to be disassembled to determine exactly why these carbs are cutting out under acceleration.  While these two carbs are reasonably new, they have been used previously and then set on a shelf for awhile so it may be a problem unrelated to their original construction.

As far as the fuel in the tank, it should siphon out into gasoline containers without issue and especially if the car is raised in the air enough that the containers that are being filled are below fuel tank level.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I just installed (yesterday) a new holley 465 cfm.  I added an electric choke conversion kit and a quick change secondary kit.  Was fantastic out of the box.  Only change ive made so far to the calibration is going to a 60 on the primary jets (from 57s), but I might try 58s, as I lost a tad of throttle response.....anyways, the thing looked really well built to me, inside and out.  no problems out of hte box.

also, it may be time to have your tank boiled and then seal it.  That will prevent scale, rust, etc from coming up in the tank.  have you taken out the float and looked inside yet?  That might give you a good view of if the sock is disintegrating or its the tank, etc.

One other thought; you could probably just order a replacement bowl for the carb.  Or buy a junk one on ebay and scavenge parts, etc.

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

I'd also seriously consider dropping the fuel tank and cleaning, or having it cleaned. This is in addition to the other suggestions. I'd also try replacing the bowl as recommended, rather than tossing the carb. Holley did have some serious quality issues under the previous management, as you now know! supposedly that's improving. 

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

 You might want to look at buying a new tank and lines, available from http://www.classictbird.com/, may be more than you want to spend....... but by the time you clean and coat the old tank,still deal with old rusty lines, plus all the carb and filter cleaning.....you might be further ahead,just my $.02s.  Barry L

I think if you're going to put any kind of mileage on this Bird, you need to address the fuel tank before you get on to the carb issues. If you have the time and resources you could take the old one out, clean it thoroughly, seal it, etc. But when you're all done, you would still have a 53-year-old gas tank. It would likely serve you well, but then again it might not. If the outside of the tank is straight without dents, etc. then it's probably worth your trouble to do the work on it. If not, I would seriously consider saving some time and effort and going with a new tank. Here is a new 20-gal. one for a '57 Bird at a better price ($180). It has been pressure tested and comes with a 3 year warranty.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1957-57-Ford-Thunderbird-Gas-Fuel-Tank-MADE-CANADA-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3a5d050f7aQQitemZ250668715898QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Unfortunately, the tank has a dent in the Left front edge, and I have fixed one leak already.  Although it is the original tank, my plan is to replace the tank, and all attachments.  This would include straps, pads, fuel lines, fuel sending unit and all nuts and bolts. 

The tank now has 18 gallons of what I consider contaminated fuel.  I would like to find a filter that would allow me to make sure all the junk is removed from the gas.  Then at leat I could use it in my lawn equipment, or generator. 

Considering the condition (metallurgy) of the current carburetor,  I want to replace the whole unit.  If it was just a case of a broken bowl, then I would go for a replacement bowl.  Both fuel bowls and metering blocks showed hairline cracks that I initially thought were just surface cracks.  My main concern is really the current quality of the Holley carburetor.  If they have corrected / improved their quality, then I wouldn't have any reservation about buying a new one.  I just  don't want to buy more of what I consider junk. That's why I'm asking for the opinions of the members on this board.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Bill Poland

312 V8 - in a 1957 T-Bird

Baltimore, Maryland

Quite a few people on this site including myself have purchased Holley carbs recently.I dont recall any complaints about the quality of the castings etc.I have read many favourable comments about the particular 1848 465 cfm carb that you are thinking about as a replacement.