Questions about the set up of a Holley 4160 on a 4.3 V6

[Lou C]

The coldest we might get for early/late season is about 45*. I’d actually prefer a manual choke!
The guys at ARCO told me to use a relay if running it off the alternator like OMC & Volvo did. I can run it off the assist solenoid from the key on power on terminal. I think what I’ve heard about running it off the coil is because of the resistor wire (points ignition) it drops the voltage too low after the engine starts. I’ll see how many amps it actually draws….

 

[Pmt133]

Lou boats where I used to boat and gets the same weather. He'll be fine. Just pump it a few extra times.

Joking aside, it was a much easier start once I fixed the choke.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Lou, no reason to add a relay unless you really want it.

 

[Scott06]

Lou is in cold water. If he was down here in FL, I would say no

I ran my 3.0 without a working choke for years in upstate ny With no issue. Just stab the throttle a few times to get some gas in there and leave it at a fast idle. Took more time to warm up/ idle decent in October for sure but not needed

given the issues setting up this carb the last time, get it working right then worry about the choke, just wire it off the purple wire

 

[Lou C]

I got the auto choke all hooked up since I had the relay set up last time that’s what I went with this time. The old divorced choke seemed to take forever to fully open even when I replaced the thermostatic spring, probably because of the lower temp thermostat vs an auto set up (160 vs 195). One year I tried a 140 stat because it’s supposed to be better for salt water use ans it was even worse! So I went back to the 160.
To me the biggest issue with the Holley design with seperate float bowls for primary and secondary is adjusting the curb idle. Supposedly both throttle blades should open the same amount. Some have suggested (Lars, a well known carb guru) that you should not adjust curb idle by simply adjusting the primary idle screw you have to adjust both. To adjust the secondary you have to take the carb off because it’s on the bottom of the baseplate!
When I first tried to set up this carb I did not know that; all I knew was that the primary transfer slot is supposed to look like a square so the throttle blades aren’t open too far. The only time Holley themselves ever mentioned that secondary throttle stop screw is if you have an engine with a radical cam and low vacuum. Maybe that’s why I had so much trouble with it back when I first tried it but even after calling Holley tech support they never mentioned it.
For all the years that they have made basically the same design 60+ years you’d they could come up with an easier way! We’ll see what happens if it’s good then fine if not I will use the Edelbrock instead….

 

[Scott Danforth]

You should only have primary idle mix screws and not 4-corner. And they should be dead nuts even

 

[Lou C]

I tried it with the primary throttle plate set so there was .020" of transfer slot showing and the secondary open about the same amount (not by the transfer slot but by how much light came through if you shined a light from above (this was suggested by Lars). Ran like crap, very rich would not quit if I turned both primary mixture screws all the way in. I am thinking that secondary throttle plate was open too far. Obviously if it didn't quit with the primary mix screws all the way in, it is getting gas from somewhere else.
I will try re-adjusting it again later but if it's not better, I'm done with it. I will do what I have to do to move the bracket OMC put on the manifold for the shift cables (as it is, the wider Edelbrock won't fit) and bolt on the Edelbrock!

 

[Lou C]

Tried it again, and no dice. Runs like crap. One thing I did find out though when it was running really bad with the Quadrajet, I assumed it was the carb, or pump. Not the pump, pressure, vacuum and volume all good. 5.5 psi so not too high.
When I first put the Holley on, it was not starting like the QJet was. So thinking back I had changed the coil about a year ago (thought new was better lol). So just on a hunch (watching the spark tester) I put the old coil back in. Now the Holley started but still ran bad like it did years back.
So once again, in disgust I pulled out the old QJet bolted it on and it started right up, idles fine, seems OK. Will not know till I run it on the water though.
What a pain this boat has been the last 2 seasons. I am ready for a fuel injected outboard, at 70 years old I am getting tired of this!

 

[Pmt133]

I've seen replacement coils cause all sorts of weird running issues. What kind of coil did you use?

 

[Scott Danforth]

define running bad.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Lou, what is the List number on the carb barrel.

 

[Lou C]

The coil I replaced the original with was a CDI coil so that surprised me! They make a lot of electronics for mating engines. What tipped me off to it was when I was hooking up my tach/dwell after running it for about 10 months the coil was REALLY HOT. Still tested within specs though.
Running bad? Chugging, shuddering and turned a set of plugs black just like the first time I tried it when it was brand new. There’s a pretty good carb shop nearby I might bring it to them & see what they find. Almost seems like there’s fuel leaking internally over riching the mixture. Likely a defect from when it was built. Meanwhile I’ll put in a set of clean plugs and see how it runs on the water.

 

[Scott Danforth]

is it this one? https://www.holley.com/products/fuel_systems/carburetors/marine_carburetors/parts/0-80492

here is your conversation with holley from 2019 https://forums.holley.com/forum/car...uestions/9202-need-help-with-marine-4160-4bbl

running rich is usually fuel float level is too high or a plugged air bleed.
verify your idle mix screws are about 3/4 turn out from lightly seated.

since the 80492 does not have the externally adjustable floats, you have to pull the bowls to adjust.

 

[Lou C]

Yep that’s the exact carb for the 4.3 and my tale of woe lol! 7 years ago. I know I blew out all the air bleeds but now out of curiosity I have to go back at it again.