Holley 3 Barrels - Opinions wanted

[Rory428]

I have also had 950 & 1050 3 barrel Hooleys, although I never tried them on a street car, just my 428 FE Fairmont, back when it had a C6 with a transbrake. Performance wise, it ran as fast as any other big Holley that I tried, but in pit/staging lane drivability was not as crisp or smooth, but was not really a concern on a drag car.           As mentioned, finding a carb kit, spare pieces and a secondary diaphragm can be problematic. If you already have a 3 barrel in your possesion, and a kit, I would give it a try, but personally, I would not go out of my way looking for one. I have never seen a 3 barrel with annular boosters, all the 3 barrels that I have seen either had regular downleg boosters (950 version), or in the case of the 1050, simply 2 angled brass tubes on the secondary side. Also, with that large oval secondary throttle plate, and no support in the center, I have to wonder if a good backfire could bend the secondary throttle shaft.

[RJP]

I have 2 950s and 1 1050/3bbls. My only experience was with the 950cfm on a fairly stock 427 s/o in a flatbottom/V-drive. Carb ran well throughout the RPM range [900 rpm idle to 7000] where power dropped off. No flat spots, hiccups or any other problems. Power was linear as the sec diaphragm opened smoothly as RPM rose so there was no bog or hesitation when it opened. I never got into the sec diaphragm to see what spring was in it but it worked well for that application. If you have the patience to tinker with it it might pay off to be a great working carb for you. It did for me.         

[bsprowl]

The 1050s are really 1030s.  Common error.

Bob

[1967 XR7 GT]

The 1050s are really 1030s.  Common error.

Bob

According to Holley, first they say on page 5 , their listed as 1050 CFM, but then farther down on page 7 under Carburetor Numerical Listing & Parts Guide it list's as 1030 CFM.  So what ever it is, it's over a 1,000 CFM...

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjH9IzX5abcAhUHP6wKHb_yCRUQFggqMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mustangtek.com%2FLibrary5%2FPDF%2FHolley73.pdf&usg=AOvVaw26BTHhpZqvt3j8Ow2KzJir

[gt350hr]

    The Holley 3BBL was created for the 426 Hemi in 1964. The list number was 3085 . Chrysler paid to have the carb developed. After their (typical) exclusivity agreement ended , the 3916 was released to the public and later the 4604. I became almost a "standard" on Big Block Chevy drag cars. Virtually every aftermarket manifold company "notched" the center divider to allow the 3BBL to work. Lots of guys still run them.

[wsu0702]

Well I finally got my shop cleaned out to where I could get to my air cleaner assembly today.  I placed it on one of my recently aquired Holley 950 3 barrel carbs and just as I suspected it was not even close to fitting.  The very big vacuum secondary diaphragm housing interfered by a LOT.  Its held off by at least 1/2" at the mounting ring so it's probably 3/4" interference out at the end of the diaphragm housing.  Well so much for that idea LOL.  Anybody want a couple of rough 950's?

[bsprowl]

I'm interested.

rvsprowl att gmail dot commm

Thanks

[fordman460]

Put some pics up. Interested myself.

[wayne]

You can use the small setup off a 1850 as some one said then you can use the quick change spring kit.A friend did on 1030 with 557 in his pulling truck

[machoneman]

Well I finally got my shop cleaned out to where I could get to my air cleaner assembly today.  I placed it on one of my recently aquired Holley 950 3 barrel carbs and just as I suspected it was not even close to fitting.  The very big vacuum secondary diaphragm housing interfered by a LOT.  Its held off by at least 1/2" at the mounting ring so it's probably 3/4" interference out at the end of the diaphragm housing.  Well so much for that idea LOL.  Anybody want a couple of rough 950's?

One can purchase air cleaner spacers: https://www.ebay.com/i/232202416050?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=232202416050&targetid=595076423968&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9021663&poi=&campaignid=6451807379&mkgroupid=75897716543&rlsatarget=pla-595076423968&abcId=1141066&merchantid=8224534&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuLWzzseP5AIVD5-fCh0PagT3EAQYBSABEgLEnvD_BwE

[DEANs427]

The supercharge prepped 3 brl got me over the 500 hp hump on my y block build, something the 3310-1 could not do, even prepped the same...
I wanted to try it because it is legal in nostalgia, dominators are not..

[wsu0702]

Well I finally got my shop cleaned out to where I could get to my air cleaner assembly today.  I placed it on one of my recently aquired Holley 950 3 barrel carbs and just as I suspected it was not even close to fitting.  The very big vacuum secondary diaphragm housing interfered by a LOT.  Its held off by at least 1/2" at the mounting ring so it's probably 3/4" interference out at the end of the diaphragm housing.  Well so much for that idea LOL.  Anybody want a couple of rough 950's?

One can purchase air cleaner spacers: https://www.ebay.com/i/232202416050?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=232202416050&targetid=595076423968&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9021663&poi=&campaignid=6451807379&mkgroupid=75897716543&rlsatarget=pla-595076423968&abcId=1141066&merchantid=8224534&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuLWzzseP5AIVD5-fCh0PagT3EAQYBSABEgLEnvD_BwE

Already maxed out.  I will be running a Blue Thunder 4V with the factory shaker which already puts me 3/4" taller than factory configuration.

[falcongeorge]

...once you figure that out they are a top notch carb for street/strip applications

I've never heard that. If the 3160 was the hot ticket, Holley would have made a bunch more and would still be making them.
I'll never build another carb'd motor, but based on input from others, a 3160 would not be on my list if I did. They were intended and used for big inch motors where finesse and driveability were of no concern. With poor secondary signal control, they were still outclassed by properly tuned 4150s and 4500s.
That said, I'm only repeating what I've been told by others. I've never played with one. That's how humans progress. Work with what has been proven to succeed and not replicate failure of others.

from what I heard (so take it FWIW), the 4500's replaced the 3 bbls because the 3bbls were more expensive to manufacture, not because of any shortcomings in the 3bbl. I have 2, so I may be biased. Then again, I also have a 4500, so....

[Drew Pojedinec]

4500’s have other benefits over a 3V. Same with running 2x4’s.

[falcongeorge]

4500’s have other benefits over a 3V. Same with running 2x4’s.

well yes, but 3V's also have benefits over 4500's (broader choice of manifolds, for one) its more a question of "horses for courses" rather than 1 being "better" than the other. Totally agree on the 2x4's.