Holly 390

[Grah]

G'day Gurus,

I prattled on about the dlieghts of a 350 holly as suitable to fit to a 186 (192).

Well I can get hold of this 390, which I believe is a 4 barrel, a nice polished manifold and lovely shinny filter casing. Looks very impressive and the price is right, but will it work on my 186?

The motor is fitted witha bathhurst 6000 head, extractors, a mild cam, balanced bottom end, etc.

Am I better to stick with a 350 or go for the 390??

Don't keep me in suspenders for too long!!

Grah.

[weedy-burton]

Yep,

go for the 390,should have similar top end if not better and will be better on fuel for everyday driving due to nice small primarys.I ran a 350 then went to a 465 vac sec,same as a 390 but a little bigger and found it heaps better on fuel.

[nicko]

dont waste time talking grab your wallet,they are the ants pants of carbs for red motors

[Grah]

Thanks Guys,

Sound like I had get the release the moths and buy it then.

Is an electrically operated chock easy to change to a manual?

We have got a Holly guru locally so I buy it and let him fit and size the jets properly.

Thanks again.

Grah.

[Grah]

Well,

I finally released the moths and bought the carbbie. Its got a beautiful CAIN manifold and looks huge. I have since been told, by local "experts" that its too big for a 186 (192). Time will tell!

Apparently its got 51 / 2 jets and 4.5 power valve. Can anyone enlighten me as to what jets and power valve I should start with to see if I can get it to run??

Thanks in anticipation.

Grah.

[Digger]

Hi Grah,

These carbies have been around since the late seventies and are a very good unit, The main jetting is right (standard for the 4160) but the power valve I belive to be to low you should try  6.0 to 6.5 these would be better suited for the holden Red 6, the 4.5Hg will open way to early and possibly over fuel the motor.
And hey the work thats been done to your motor it will run fine.

Hope this helps
Steve

[Grah]

Steve,

Thanks for your advice. I'll try and get a 6.5 power valve and fit that, then try the carbie on the car. The guy who sold me the carbie said it ran like sh.t on his car, much the same engine, and I reckon it was because of the power valve. I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks again. Pic of engine attached.

Grah.

[Digger]

geees, very nice  

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

How do you get the engine bay so clean, oil must go everywhere without a rocker cover  

[Grah]

Whats a rocker cover?

Should there be one?? LOL.

Will the 6.5 power valve and revert.

Grah.

[Grah]

Well,

Got it fitted to the motor and guess what, it actually runs. Fitted a 6.5 power valve. Have to sort out the throttle linkage as the mechanism is all wrong with the larger carbbie. However so please to actually get it to run.

Regards,

Grah.

[Grah]

HELP HELP

Anyone know of any throttle linkage kits to enable the 390 Holley to be connected to what appears to be a standard 186 motor throttle linkage??

Its giving me the sh.ts big time!!!

Grah.

[brads59]

Hi Grah,
            Nice engine bay.
Have you thought of going with the HZ accelerator pedal and cable set up?Works a treat with hollies.
Cheers BRAD.

[nicko]

you can also use the LH -LX torana set ups

[fccool59]

sounds like your having some problems, mate if it's giving you the shits just get rid of the peice of shit, like ya grandpa probably told you, stick on the stromberg, my email adress is mljulien@optusnet.com.au if you want to sell it.

if you decide to keep it i would suggest a commodore pedal, I have a VB-VL style pedal in mine wich replaced the HZ one I had before, if you buy a cable make sure it's gonna reach as the 6 cyl commodore cable is usually to short so try to get a V8 cable, V8 stuff goes faster too, i believe the 390 is more suited to a holden 6 than a 350 becuase the 350 is to big for power low down so if some one tells you to get a 350 instead tell them to shut up.