Guys, I rebuilt my 401 back in December and upon startup I blew the Power Valve in my Holley. The car idled crappy and started up weird, Etc. I corrected the power valve and it was a beautiful day. The nailhead fired right up and idled like a dream. The other day, the engine started funny again, even kinda backfired, idles crappy, etc. I am betting that the power valve is to blame again. Same symptoms. Does Holley make a replacement "Blowout Prevented" power valve for the older carbs. The carb is about a year old and I am starting to Hate Holley carbs. I don't have the money to replace it but I can't be replaceing power valves every few months, that sucks. Any help would be appreciated.
Wehn the choke isn't set up right, fast idle is defeated, choke plate doesn't richen the cold idle correctly, the carb will backfire and pop the power valve. This is more evident when you have to keep pumping the throttle on a no choke cold engine. What happens then is, the cold engine wants more fuel to keep running, which it gets, not in steady pull, but in spurts from the tjhrottle pumping. the excessive fuel burns off, which leans the carb and intake system back out, then, anopther pumping, and the engine doesn't get the pumped fuel fast enough, just the pumping air, backfire, blown power valve every time. This is why every street driven musclecar came from the factory with some sort of functioning choke assembly with fast idle capability. Set the floats correctly, get the jetting right and use the choke.
Yes there is a Power Valve saver kit. But you have to disassemble the carb to install it.It cost about 12 bucks.
thanks hey Guys, I bought the kits but I haven't the time to put it in this time. It was about 8 bucks. I am going to replace the power valve again, and then plan to install the saver kit and a new valve ina month or so. I have to gather the gaskets and stuff first. Thanks for all of the help and I will let you know how easy or hard it is. Any one going to the Route 66 rendezvouse in San Bernadino CA, I will be at the Gas Co./Sempra Energy Booth on Saturday between 1 and 4 PM and would love to talk buick. Thanks Again
