1967 427-390hp Vette Holley carb oddity!

[Steve Antonucci]

Good evening,

I have a question for the big block knowledgeable folks here. I recently saw
an auction on ebay ( item # 7920006968 ) that ended with an all-time crazy
price of $3,800.00 for a 3811 Holley carburetor. The description stated that
this carb. was for a '67 390hp Vette as well as a 396/375hp Camaro/Chevelle.
I was intrigued, so I did some investigating.

I forgot that the '67 390hp 427 Vettes used a Holley and a cast iron
intake manifold. What I can't believe, and frankly never looked into,
was that the 427-390hp Vette and the 396/375hp Camaro/Chevelles
all used the same carb.! It doesn't make very much sense - does it?
I mean, in 1968, the 390hp Vette got a low-rise aluminum intake and a
Rochester carb.. The same carb. used on '68 396-350hp Camaro's & Chevelles.
As far as I know, both '67 & '68 427-390hp engines kept the same cam, etc..

On the one hand, you have a '67 427-390hp with oval port intake runners,
hydraulic lift cam, lower compression, 2-bolt mains. Then, on the other
hand you have a '67 396-375hp ( conservative ) with rectangular port intake
runners, radical lift solid cam, high compression, 4-bolt mains both using
the same carburetor?! Seems like over carburetion for the 427 to me.

OK, so here are the questions. Is this carb really worth this much money?
Is it that rare? Or, is it one of those shill eBay bids we see often?
Lastly, can any members here tell me about the actual running of this 3811
Holley on the '67 390hp 427? I'm wondering if it was indeed over carburetion.

Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: 1967 427-390hp Vette Holley carb oddity!

Steve----

The Holley 3811 was used for 1967 Corvettes with L-36. It was a model 4160 carburetor rated at 585 CFM. Some references show that it was also used for early 1967 Camaros with L-78. The L-78 application would have been unusual for this carburetor for al least 2 reasons. First, SHP big block engines rarely, if ever, used a model 4160 carburetor and, second, they rarely, if ever, used a carb with a rating as low as 585 CFM. 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969 Chevelles with L-78 used a model 4150 carb of 780 CFM, so it would be very unusual that 1967 Camaros with L-78 used a 4160 carb rated at 585 CFM. But, who knows? There may have been some reason for it.

As far as whether the 3811 on eBay was worth $3,800, my opinion would be absolutely not. In my mind it's idiotic to pay that kind of money for "numbers" and "dates.

As far as the change from 1967 to 1968, you are correct. The basic engine specs for the L-36 did not change from 1967 to 1968. However, as you note, the carbs (and manifolds) did change. Keep in mind, though, that the 1967 Holley 3811 was a 585 CFM carb and the 1968 Rochester Q-Jet was rated at about 800 CFM. A Rochester Q-Jet, although maligned by many, is a terrific performance carburetor. It's superior to a Holley in many ways. And, it should be. The engineering and development costs that GM sunk into the Q-Jet FAR, FAR surpassed that which went into development of the Holley 4160/4150 model carbs.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

Also, as I looked at this carburetor, it appears to me that it's been modified. The Holley 3811 was a model 4160 carburetor and this carb is a model 4160, as it should be, since it uses a secondary metering plate. However, the Holley 3811 was a single inlet carburetor with a fuel transfer tube. So, this carb has been modified and no longer has its original fuel bowls and transfer tube. Also, this carb does not have its original (or, any) choke mechanism.

So, what someone is paying for is, basically, the air horn assembly with its original "numbers" and "dates". The throttle body assembly and primary metering body may be original, too.

Really a DUMB way to spend $3,800.

[Stephen L.]

Re: 1967 427-390hp Vette Holley carb oddity!

Mine runs fine... smooth and enough power for me with no pauses etc.

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: Addendum

Joe,

Your analysis was correct! I did some checking myself and that carb was
indeed a compilation of components. I also believe that the winner ( with that
whopping 3 feedbacks ) was probably a friend of the seller. Same old same old!

However, in keeping with the spirit of high priced carburetors, did you happen
to see the Z/16 Holley carb. ( 1965 396 Chevelle ) auction that just ended?
It went for $3,650.00 ! I know the seller personally. He has restored all of
my carbs. This has to be a record of some type. I wonder if Dan Blocker is
smiling somewhere in heaven. This carb probably cost more than his Z/16 did
way back in 1965.

Steve