Mr. Sinister
Contributor
Posts: 394
Age: 35
Loc: Fair Hill, MD
Reg: 05-18-09
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06-11-12 08:04 AM - Post#2235751
Because I feel responsible for giving back to a community that I have learned so much from, I wanted to share my experiences with the Street Avenger series of carbs from Holley.
After a few hundred miles, my first Street Avenger started cutting out and making my engine run really rough. All the tuning in the world could not correct this. I contacted Holley for some pointers, describing my problem, and they asked me for my carb's serial number. I gave it to them, and they told me it was one of a bad batch of carbs that had a problem with the casting process for the metering plates, that literally caused them to begin to fall apart internally when fuel hit them. I popped the front bowl off and sure enough, oxidation and little chunks of metering plate floating around. I posted about this problem a few years ago. Holley was very gracious and forthcoming about the issue, and they offered me a brand new carb and a call tag to pick up the damaged unit. Their customer service was top notch.
I receive the new carb, and notice that it's an updated design over the one I had. Even better!! I got the idle mixture and speed dialed in, and went through the process of jetting and setting the vacuum secondaries where I like them. Once dialed in, the carb was great, but I still felt like it was holding me back a little. So I carefully removed the choke assembly (never used it anyway) and installed a K&N Stub Stack. These small changes actually made a noticeable difference in the seat of the pants feel, adding some low and mid range power. After running like this for a little while, I stated checking plugs again. They looked just a tad lean, so I jumped my primary up from the 71 that was in it, to a 72, and the secondaries from a 74 to a 76.
When reinstalling the rear fuel bowl, I ran the 4 bolts in by hand, then began snugging them in a X pattern like you should. The first bolt began to pull snug, then broke loose. I instantly knew what happened. I tried the next, same thing. Then the next, and again it broke loose. On to the fourth and you guessed it, spun loose. I was steamed. I removed all 4 bolts, and the threads came out on two of them. I pulled the bowl and plate, and sure enough, the other two had little coils of threads pulled out of the hole, still attached.
Now I have had Holley carbs apart many times, for cleaning, rebuilding, jet changes, etc, and NEVER have I seen this. I never run these bolts down more than snug enough to prevent leaks, for fear of just this thing happening. The front bolt holes are fine, only the secondary, and I've had the front apart more than the rear. I repeat, I NEVER tighten these bolts down more than snug, so if that's your assumption, I assure you, it's not the case. I wouldn't be here telling everyone this if that was the case.
So I visited Holley's website looking for a contact us, and didn't find anything, so I left a message on their Facebook page.
I understand this is a "budget" carb, but this is totally unacceptable. Not once, but twice have I now been burned by a Street Avenger carb. My replacement carb ran great, so they're good in that aspect, and I image if you're a bolt on and go kind of guy, you'll never run into this issue. But for the enthusiast, a carb should be able to stand up to being disassembled without falling apart.
My only experience is with Holley and Demon carbs, so I ordered a new Holley Street HP last night. I'm hoping the higher price will also reflect higher quality, but I think I must be nuts for trusting Holley again. Hopefully they won't let me down again.
Keep in min this is just my personal experience. I'm sure there are plenty of guys who have had no problems with their Street Avenger, but I've now been burned twice by these carbs.
Edited by Mr. Sinister on 06-11-12 08:26 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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C10 Sleeper
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3426
Loc: Redding Ca
Reg: 03-17-09
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06-11-12 08:24 AM - Post#2235758
In response to Mr. Sinister
I have never had a bad experience with a Holley. Im assuming this is how everything will be in a few more years with more and more stuff being made in china and other companies cutting corners to try to compete. Hopefully your newer more expensive carb will work out even though that mentality from a reputable company is a shame.
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Mr. Sinister
Contributor
Posts: 394
Age: 35
Loc: Fair Hill, MD
Reg: 05-18-09
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06-11-12 08:28 AM - Post#2235762
In response to C10 Sleeper
even though that mentality from a reputable company is a shame.
That's the biggest disappointment. I expect more from a name like Holley. I'm curious to see if they respond to my facebook message.
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C10 Sleeper
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3426
Loc: Redding Ca
Reg: 03-17-09
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06-11-12 08:34 AM - Post#2235766
In response to Mr. Sinister
It sounds like they are being run by a group of teenagers. Pretty sad that you have to face book message a company for something now days.
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Mr. Sinister
Contributor
Posts: 394
Age: 35
Loc: Fair Hill, MD
Reg: 05-18-09
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06-11-12 08:35 AM - Post#2235767
In response to C10 Sleeper
It sounds like they are being run by a group of teenagers. Pretty sad that you have to face book message a company for something now days.
There may have been a "Contact Us" on their website, but it wasn't readily apparent. Their customer service on the first carb was great, but this was a few years ago.
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 rcr3
"9th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 1409
Age: 61
Loc: Manheim Pa. U.S.A.
Reg: 11-24-02
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06-11-12 09:05 AM - Post#2235777
In response to Mr. Sinister
I also had a similar experience with a new Street Avenger,after much tuning,put an Edelbrock on,haven't looked back.Not trying to start carb war,just reinterating a personal experience.
'12 Cruze RS LTZ
'73 Nova hatchback Sold 12/23/12
'37 Chevy cp.
'74 Nova Custom cp.
'73 Nova pro-street project
'00 Chevy Blazer
'95 Sonoma 4X4 totaled 9/6/12
'06 Z71 Sierra Ex Cab
'67 Camaro
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Mr. Sinister
Contributor
Posts: 394
Age: 35
Loc: Fair Hill, MD
Reg: 05-18-09
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06-11-12 09:42 AM - Post#2235790
In response to rcr3
So I got a response to my Facebook message, instructing me to contact corporate. I'll keep you folks posted......
Edit: Have been on hold with technical service for 20 minutes......
Edited by Mr. Sinister on 06-11-12 10:00 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Mr. Sinister
Contributor
Posts: 394
Age: 35
Loc: Fair Hill, MD
Reg: 05-18-09
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06-11-12 10:10 AM - Post#2235802
In response to Mr. Sinister
So the tech support guy pretty much told me tough, even if you didn't over-tighten the bolts, they're still going to say I did, and the only solution is to sell me a Heli-coil kit. In my eyes, they're telling me right there that their product is infallible, even after I said this was a replacement due to a casting issue on my first Street Avenger. I'd sooner stud the main body than have this happen again.
Not impressed.
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69CHVL
Member
Posts: 205
Loc: PHILA, PA
Reg: 08-07-05
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06-13-12 04:09 AM - Post#2236507
In response to Mr. Sinister
I've personally used about a dozen of those carbs and they were all great. Only issues I had was some of the carbs zinc coating began to flake off, and Holley sent me a new carb(s).
VINCE G
69 CHEVELLE SS 502
HOLLEY MPFI
TKO 600/3.90
*1.75/7.41/97.86/11.41/124.51*
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 MikeB
Senior Member
Posts: 9388
Loc: Plano, TX
Reg: 08-28-03
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06-13-12 04:28 AM - Post#2236512
In response to Mr. Sinister
Try starting a private topic with Holley's Doug Flynn. His CT member name is Doug_F and he hangs out on the EFI/Fuel Injection forum. Good guy and a straight shooter.
BTW, I personally don't like any of the "S" carbs -- the ones with the shiny silver-colored plating. The "C" carbs with yellow chromate finish hold up much better
That said, the trend at Holley seems to be towards aluminum bodies, and away from coated or plated zinc bodies.
Real Hot Rods have a Clutch!
1955 210 2dr: 327, Brodix IK180 heads, Jones cam, Muncie M20, Wilwood front brakes
1969 C-10 pickup: 350, TH350
My car pictures
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Edited by MikeB on 06-13-12 04:43 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Mr. Sinister
Contributor
Posts: 394
Age: 35
Loc: Fair Hill, MD
Reg: 05-18-09
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06-13-12 05:13 AM - Post#2236521
In response to 69CHVL
I've personally used about a dozen of those carbs and they were all great. Only issues I had was some of the carbs zinc coating began to flake off, and Holley sent me a new carb(s).
I'm 2 for 2 with the Street Avengers. I've never had trouble with any other Holley carbs, or the Edelbrocks I've run.
MikeB: I have a feeling it will be the same answer: You overtightened the bolts.
Now I'm never one to be above admitting I messed up, but I am above smearing a company's name to cover a screw up on my part. This carb was defective, plain and simple. Either brittleness in the casting or a really poor tapping job would have caused this. Seeing as how that had a bad run of metering plates that affected me with my first SA, I'm going with the casting.
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awsum55
Senior Member
Posts: 8838
Age: 60
Loc: O.P. Kansas
Reg: 09-27-01
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06-13-12 06:08 AM - Post#2236537
In response to Mr. Sinister
I don't really like facebook, but you do have an advantage if you have a problem because everyone can see how they handle the situation. I would go on FB and tell your story. I'll bet there will be others that will chime in and report their problems too. Holley shouldn't be able to ignore that and maybe they will step up to the plate.
Five things that you cannot recover in life:
* The Stone after it's thrown
* The Word after it's said
* An Occasion after it's missed
* The Time after it's gone
* A person after they die |
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Mr. Sinister
Contributor
Posts: 394
Age: 35
Loc: Fair Hill, MD
Reg: 05-18-09
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06-13-12 06:46 AM - Post#2236551
In response to awsum55
I don't really like facebook, but you do have an advantage if you have a problem because everyone can see how they handle the situation. I would go on FB and tell your story. I'll bet there will be others that will chime in and report their problems too. Holley shouldn't be able to ignore that and maybe they will step up to the plate.
I did just that, actually. Got directed to contact customer service via phone. Did get some exposure, though. I would think they would have done more to save the black eye, but they didn't.
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Mr. Sinister
Contributor
Posts: 394
Age: 35
Loc: Fair Hill, MD
Reg: 05-18-09
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06-14-12 05:12 AM - Post#2236990
In response to Mr. Sinister
I can tell you from comparing the two, the HP is a much nicer carb, and it shows in the extra money you pay for them over the SA.
I think I'll drill out the bad threads in my SA, Heli-Coil it, stud the bowls and plates, and keep it for a spare. It is a good running carb.
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