Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines What's the best one barrel?

I have owned my truck for just about one year now, and while progress has been slow, it has also been fairly steady. When I got it the original monojet on the Chevy 250 was toast. The auto choke was gone, and it had some other problems. Cold startin sucked! I replaced the carb with a napa remanufactured monojet with manual choke. It had a good cold start, but you had to let it warm up for about 5-10 minutes before driving. It worked good in general, idled smooth, had good acceleration, and got 16 mpg on the hiway. My only real complaint was that it stumbled a little (had a "dead spot")just off an idle.

I ran the Monojet a short time then heard rave reviews about the Holley / weber 5200. I bought a weber and an adapter from Langdon's Stovebolt. It did nothing for performance or gas milage. The only real improvement is a really smooth low end, and incredibley good cold starting and driving. I have never been able to get it to consistently idle smooth and I hate the ugly freakin' adapter.

SO, I'm getting read to rebuild the 250, including mild cam, port work, mill the head, and 1.6 exhaust valves. I am also going to work the stock intake and exhaust manifolds over so they match the ports on the head, et. I want to use the biggest and best one barrel I can. I love the elegant look and the simplicity! However, I am having a hard time finding good info on one barrel carbs; ie, ventura size, flow rating, et.

Now, here's my real question: What is the best one barrel for my application, and why do you say it is the best?

Thanks,
Boo

Dear Boo;

There is no "best" in that application. Simply use the one that you like.

You can always change it if doesn't work out.

Good luck, John M.......

If you are going through all of the head work, porting, valves, why would you put a 1 barrel on?
I would stick with the Holley/Weber now that your engine will be breathing better. You'll see the big improvement.
If you went to dual one barrels, you would get some better performance. A single one barrel with the mods you're proposing is like sucking a bowling ball through a straw. I can be done with a lot of effort!

RapRap
1940 ChoppedChevyCoupe.

I have some what of a silly Question Only because i haven't seen Much said about them and thats the Holley 1b they had on the dodge 225. Maybe a little small for our 250s? But they seemed to work Pretty well on them 225s what about a Pair? It has been so long sence I last played or even looked at one are they rejet able? Hey charrlie S Where are You? He may have some imput on those.?
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Yes, the Holley model 1920 used on early Mopar Slant 6's works fantastic on a smaller GM engine like a 235 or 230.
I have on on a 235 engine,the 1920 bolts on no problem,ya have to weld on a small tab on the throttle arm and figure out a choke situation,or in warmer areas,no choke is needed.The 1900 series Hollys use the same main jets as the very common Holley modular 4 bbls.
The engine runs much smoother,has sharper throttle response, more power and the same or better fuel mileage than any Rochester single barrel carb.

Hey Tony P
Thanks like i said been a long time since I last Played with them.Hum they are rejet able huh hummmmmm some interesting food for Thoughts How's The wheather Your way I Used to live in Buffalo.
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i've got to say...the best 1bbl ive ever used was my modified one...its a YFA...good carb but not very good for power and not quite an economy carb...but I bored it out and rejetted it and played with the accelerater pump and all that fun stuff...it still needs work, but its very very good still, Ive tried a few different carbs (YFA's, RBS, Holley) holley was very nice, the Carter RBS was too, but not as mechanically good as the other carbs...still though...the modified one is my favorite, and i have gotten extremely upset about it when it wasnt running properly...

If u are going to do stuff to the carb, i would recommend getting that gasket material...I've had to make quite a few sets of gaskets as i was always opening the carb up and stuff...I dont think u can get premade gaskets except from a rebuild kit...thats what the auto parts guy told me. so have fun with that.