June 7, 2023
Now, if you are one of those who are still using a vehicle equipped with a Chevy 350, and you happen to be looking for a replacement carburetor for your Chevy 350.
If you asked some expert mechanics about which engine became the corporate standard of GM for quite a long time, they would say with enthusiasm that it is the Chevrolet 350 small-block engine. Over the years, almost all American General Motors’ divisions used this engine, save for the Geo and Saturn. Nevertheless, Generation III LS had already superseded the Chevrolet 350 in 1997, though the GM subsidiary in Missouri still manufactures it as a crate engine.
General Motors have rolled out a series of V8 automobile engines for its Chevrolet division between 1954 and 2003. These series of V8 engines made use of the same engine block referred to as small-block engines. One of these series of small block engines is the 350 cu in (5.7 L). It was first introduced in the year 1967. This engine was aptly referred to as the “Chevy 350 engine.”
The Chevy 350 engine had been installed in myriads of vehicles. The Chevrolet Camaro, GMC Sierra, pickups, Corvette, trucks, hot rods, and some boats had used this engine. Yet. This engine had been first used for the Chevy 350 vehicle model. For this reason, it was named the Chevy 350 engine. Among the small-block engines, the Chevrolet 305 and 350 had become the corporate standard of GM.
Things You Must Know About The Chevy 350 Engines
The Chevy 350 engines had the number “350.” This number refers to the engine’s displacement capacity, which is 350 cubic inches, which is equal to 5.7 liters. This engine saw some innovations throughout the years from 1967 to 2003. It is a powerful engine, capable of 180 HP to 400 HP output, depending on its year of manufacture.
Moreover, this engine had been known for its durability. Through wear and tear, however, these engines may experience breakages. In such a case, you need to replace some of its parts, especially the carburetors.
Some owners replace the carburetors of this engine, not only in instances of breakage. They do it to enhance their engine’s performance. Hence, if you own one of these engines, you will sometimes find yourself looking for the best carburetor replacement for this engine.
The Best Carburetor for Chevy 350
If you want to upgrade the performance of your Chevy 350, or simply you want to replace its broken piece, you can choose from the following aftermarket carburetors for Chevy 350:
1) New Carburetor for Type Rochester 2GC 2 Barrel Chevrolet Chevy Small Block Engines 5.7L 350 6.6L 400
One of your best choices when it comes to the carburetor for Chevy 350 is the Rochester Chevrolet. It is also called the “Q-Jet brand. The use of this carb, of course, comes with some benefits.
This carburetor adds more horsepower to your engine while maintaining near stock fuel mileage that directly replaces the old or broken one. It features heavy-duty metal construction. It also features a large base. Plus, it comes with a large base bolt pattern 3 11/16 x 2 1/16 inches!
With this carburetor, your worry about throttle response lags will be gone with its high-speed circuits. It also exhibits perfect calibration. It comes with four barrels—two primary and two secondary barrels—that work together. Its lower RPM is also perfect for it.
This carburetor showcases better idle speed. It is a stage 2 carburetor. It is, however, quite similar to the Rochester Stage 1. But you need to update its idle speed and other operations. Hence, to get the same performance from your engine, you need to choose stage 1. Yet, you must choose stage 2 to get the maximum HP for your engine.
2) Edelbrock 1406 Performer 600 CFM Square Bore 4-Barrel Air Valve Secondary Electric Choke Carburetor
Edelbrock 1406 is a high-quality 4-barrel aftermarket carburetor. It can make your engine very efficient. It enables you to save on your fuel expenses likewise. It features both manual choking option. It also comes with an electric choke that boosts its efficiency to 600 CFM. The electric choke, of course, is perfect for winter use. It enables the engine to warm up immediately and perfectly mixes the fuel.
The Edelbrock 1406 EPS also comes with metering rods. These metering rods firmly aid transition between circuits. They aid in preventing backfiring by enabling the engine to remain durable. They aid in reducing the risk of having blown up power valves.
This carburetor comes with heavy-duty aluminum construction for maximum durability. Yet, it is very lightweight, weighing only 9.15 pounds. Thus, it puts no pressure on the other parts of the engine.
Moreover, this carb features a two-piece body for preventing warping and dents after extended usage. It doesn’t contain any plastic parts. Thus, with its sterling construction, this carb will last long.
3) Holley 0-7448 Model 2300 350 CFM 2-Barrel Manual Choke New Carburetor
The Holley 0-7448 Model 2300 350 CFM is a two-barrel carburetor that is perfect for racing cars. It is easy to install and enhances the engine runs. It requires no adjustments likewise.
Holley 0-7448 features a manual choke. Though it does not offer electric choke, it is, however, very good. It is also easy to control and is hassle-free to use.
Just like the abovementioned options, this carburetor boasts of all-metal parts. It also comes with replaceable jets, a universal throttle lever, and a center-hung float bowl. It is easy to use. With a couple of pumps on its throttle, it will readily crank and start. It also stays running until it is warmed up. You would surely appreciate the use of this carburetor.
This carburetor also comes with a power valve, a standard 5 1/8 air cleaner flange, and high flow venturi. It is capable of mixing the correct amount of air and gasoline, allowing the engine to work properly. With its manual choke, you can easily control the temperature of the engine. Thus, it can be considered as the most premium carb for stock 350 with 2 barrel carburetor.
4) Quick Fuel 600 Cfm 4 Bbl Elect. Choke
This one is an excellent-looking carburetor that you would surely love to have for your Chevy 350. Right out of the box, you can run it. It is easy to fine-tune and requires only a few adjustments after installing it. It features aluminum materials that lessen the weight of the carburetor. It is also equipped with a secondary metering plate. This metering plate also features changeable jets.
Out of the box, you can readily install and use it. Moreover, it will surely provide your engine with excellent efficiency and performance. Installing it may be a bit difficult, and if you install it improperly, it may not run. Many experts would readily recommend this carb, for it is sure to provide your engine with remarkable performance.
Pros:
- It doesn’t need spring replacements.
- It is not susceptible to leakage.
Cons:
- It is a bit challenging to install.
5) Holley Classic Carburetor 4160
The Holley Classic Carburetor 4160 is made of aluminum, and for this reason, it doesn’t warp. Moreover, being made of aluminum, it lessens the weight of the carburetor down to the minimum. It also features a manual choke system that may be an inconvenience for some users. Nevertheless, it can maintain the engine’s temp. Besides, it is engineered for providing excellent performance, which also allows your engine to last longer.
The gold dichromatic finish of Holley Classic means it is corrosion-resistant and offers that classic Holly appearance. It features a single feed inlet which allows for easy installation. Experts would surely highly recommend this carburetor, given its remarkable features.
Pros:
- It features a 4-barrel carburetor.
- It is lightweight.
- It is pretty easy to install.
- It enhances fuel usage.
Cons:
- It comes with a manual choke.
6) Demon 1901
The Demon 1901 features an electric choke. It can provide around 625 CFM within the CFM range of 600 to 599. Its flange features a four-barreled type (square bore). It also features a sturdy polymer material with a bolt hole pattern of 5.160 by 5.625 inches. Its fuel bowl (aerospace composite), of course, is better than those of aluminum alloy design and offers better heat insulation function. It also outperforms its aluminum counterparts by as much as 25 percent.
This fact implies that the material out of which it is made is more robust and lighter than other carburetor made of zinc. Moreover, its bowl features a gasket way above the level of fuel. It also doesn’t come with plugged passages, which entirely do away with potential leakages. Its primary bores get at least twice as much airflow, resulting in an excellent and powerful result. Plus, the primary and secondary throttle response is seamless.
The thing is, this carburetor is a powerful one and comes with multiple application potentials. Moreover, it is pretty easy to install and requires less maintenance. Besides, it comes in a one-piece assembly and requires no disassembling of parts to access this unit.
Pros:
- It is an electric choke type.
- It is sturdy and durable.
- It offers a more efficient heat insulation function.
- It eliminates leakages.
Cons:
- It may not be the best option out there, but it works fine.
7) Alavente (2 Barrel) Carburetor
If you are looking for an aftermarket carburetor replacement, you might as well consider the Alavente Carb. It features excellent materials, being made of a strong alloy and wrought in heavy-duty construction. It also offers more power to your engine and adds up to five to ten percent of horsepower. In addition, it will surely improve the throttle response and enhance engine performance.
The Alavente Carburetor is easy to replace, although you might be needing the service of a professional installer to install this carburetor. It will be best to check its compatibility with your engine before buying this carburetor.
Pros:
- It provides increased horsepower.
- It is durable, being made of strong alloy. It offers superior performance.
Cons:
- It is only compatible with 1970 to 1980 models.
8) AutoHorizon 2 BARREL Carburetor Carb
AutoHorizon (2 BARREL) Carburetor Carb is another aftermarket carburetor known for its high performance and excellent durability. It is a worthy replacement for the carburetor of your Chev 350. Moreover, it features a sturdy and strong construction. It can add more horsepower to your system.
The AutoHorizon carb is pretty easy to install and doesn’t require elaborate installation. As a caveat, you need to clean the air filters and oil channels before installing this carburetor; for, sans cleaning, the oil channels will get blocked. It comes with a one-year warranty.
Pros:
- It is easy to install.
- It comes with a sturdy structure.
- It offers more power to your engine.
Cons:
- It offers limited compatibility with other engines.
9) Jet 35002 Rochester
Well, the Jet 35002 Rochester, just like the abovementioned carburetors, is pretty easy to install, which is why it is also a popular aftermarket carburetor. If you would time yourself during the installing process, you can consume around one and a half hours for its installation.
The good thing about this carb is that it offers a smooth transition and idling. You can also start your engine while it is cold if you are using this carburetor. Thus, this carburetor is advantageous to use when you are inhabiting a place with a more pronounced winter.
One caveat, however, when installing it is that you should install it correctly and follow the manual’s instructions. Otherwise, it will end up with leakage issues. Besides, it offers high-speed circuits and comes with four barrels for excellent acceleration.
Pros:
- It enhances idle quality.
- It offers an excellent throttle response.
- It is easy to install.
- It can start the engine even in a cold climate.
Cons:
- Prone to leakages if not installed properly.
10) Partol (2 Barrel) Carburetor
If you want to up the tempo of your engine and enhance its efficiency, mileage, and power, you should consider the Partol 2 Barrel. This carb is a perfect aftermarket replacement for your old carb. It comes with a seal and a gasket. Moreover, it is well-made, being wrought in a sturdy and strong metal. With its strong make, it is designed to last longer.
Nevertheless, when installing this carb, you need to clean the oil channels and maybe replace the oil filters. Otherwise, you may end up with blocked oil channels. This carb is a two-barreled carb. Considering what is said about two-barreled carb, this carb may fail to deal with higher RPM and may likewise disturb the acceleration process. Hence, you better opt for other carbs if you are looking for something that could quickly deal with high RPM.
Pros:
- It is easy to install.
- It is sturdy.
- It can enhance your engine performance.
Cons:
- It needs thorough cleaning of the oil channels and filters before installation.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Replacement Carburetors for Chevy 350
The market is still awash with various types of carburetors that are suited for a Chevy 350. Hence, this makes the choosing process a bit confusing for someone who wants to find the best carburetor replacement. To facilitate the selecting process for you, it will help to know the following essential factors to consider when selecting a suitable carburetor for your Chevy 350:
RPM Range
Before buying a carburetor, you also need to know the minimum as well as the maximum RPM range of your engine. Both ranges are important. You should also be cognizant of the transmission type and convertor flash RPM. You should bear in mind that your engine will never be happy if it is running at its highest torque RPM. It’s all about acceleration. You should also remember that a huge carburetor can produce higher power in dyno and torque. Generally, the engine will never be able to speed up the lowest speed from that of the lowest rpm.
Manual Choke or Electric Choke
If you have a car that predates fuel injection systems that are managed electronically, then that car may indeed have a manual choke. So, when it comes to choke types, you will find manual and electric choke types. The electric choke can manually operate because it connects to the circuit. Hence, with the electric choke, you won’t need to adjust the airflow.
Contrariwise, the manual choke necessitates airflow adjustment and may be difficult for some users. But, of course, if you are familiar and used to manual choke, you will have no problem with it. One downside of the manual choke is when you live in cold places, wherein you need to warm up the engine to get it started. Electric chokes, however, allow for a quick cold start.
CFM Calculation
When choosing a carburetor, you also need to consider the cubic feet per minute or CFM. Your engine requires a certain CFM measure, and the formula for this is CFRM = Cubic Inches multiplied by RPM multiplied by Volumetric Efficiency/ 3456. The ordinary stock engine will have around 80% volumetric efficiency, while rebuilt street engines will have approximately 85%. On the other hand, race engines may range between 95% to about 110%.
Before buying a carburetor, you should first know the actual cubic feet per minute capacity of your engine. You can use this simple formula for aspirated petrol engine:
Maximum rpm/3,456 X Engine Size (c.i.d) = cfm at 100-percent VE (volumetric efficiency).
You should remember that most street engines can get just 8% VE. If you modify street engines, they can achieve at least 85 percent VE. But with extremely modified race engines, you can get 95% VE or more.
Body
You also need to consider the carburetor’s body when choosing a suitable carburetor. So, when shopping around for a carburetor, you should choose a sturdy and strong one, something that is corrosion-resistant. In this way, you can avoid damage due to corrosion or run the risk of the onset of carb damage that can lead to leakages.
You will find carburetors with a one-piece body. These carburetors are easy to install. You will also find two-piece body carburetors, and these are not easy to install. The thing is, when choosing a carb, you need to ensure that you get something that has a sturdy and robust body to enable it to sustain the vicissitudes of temperatures.
Finish
It will also help to consider the carb’s finish. Most carbs come with a nice and shiny finish. But when choosing one, it will be best to look for something that has a dichromate finish. This finish prevents the carb from rusting, and if your carb doesn’t corrode, it will last longer.
Barrels
Carburetors come in different numbers of barrels. Some carburetors, for example, feature two barrels, while some come with four barrels. The higher the number of barrels, the better it can handle the RPM. So, if the engine is in high acceleration, it necessitates high RPM. However, the two barrels may fail to manage well the high RPM, and eventually, it may end up stalling.
This is because the two-barreled carburetor is only capable of handling minimal power and air. On the other hand, if you are desirous of enhancing acceleration, you should go for the four-barreled carburetor, which is appropriate for high-power vehicles.
Throttle Response
You should also consider the throttle response of the carburetor. You should choose something that provides you a good throttle response. The request for acceleration engenders a response, and this response is called “throttle response.” The ideal carburetor should offer a quick throttle response.
By equipping your car with the most recommended carburetor, you are sure to get an excellent throttle response. In turn, good throttle response will enhance your vehicle’s performance while optimizing and maximizing your engine’s capability and durability.
Tuning
When choosing a carburetor, you also need to bear in mind the ease of tuning the carburetor. Ideally, the carburetor should not be challenging to fine-tune. Moreover, it should be capable of sustaining the tuning process.
The design of the carburetor should also allow you to quickly reach all the adjustment features and components like screws and filters to let you adjust the fuel and airflow.
Intake Manifold Vacuum
The system’s veins are the manifold vacuum. It feeds the fuel and air mixture evenly into all the engine’s cylinders. Sans the manifold vacuum, there will be no acceleration. Besides, you will get frequent misfires without it. Moreover, you will consume more fuel for your pocket and engine.
Price & Your Budget
The price of the carburetor should depend on your available money to spend. It also depends on whether you are going to buy it from online vendors or repair shops. If you buy it from the repair shop, it will be more expensive. But if you can buy it online from vendors, then you can save on your expenses.
Choke
When it comes to choke, there are 2 types of carburetor choke. It could be manual or electric. If your engine has a manual choke, you can transform it into an electric choke operation, using the compatible kits. So, you need to know which type of choke your engine has.
Throttle Lever
You can bolt directly via linkage hookups to the throttle lever of the carburetor. Then, kick down maximum 3-speed automatic transmission. However, the bracket doesn’t come with a carburetor. So, you need to buy Chrysler applications. Some MOPAR Applications may require an assembly of a specific throttle. Moreover, those vehicles with GM-TH700R4 automatic overdraft transmission require you to buy a bracket kit.
Conclusion
The Chev 350 is a powerful engine that also necessitates a high-quality carburetor. Moreover, it requires much fuel to run. Hence, it is a bit costly to use. But it is an old reliable, and if it is equipped with a quality carburetor, the Chev 350 will surely deliver a powerful performance. Thus, if you have a Chev 350, you should invest in a quality carburetor.
Picking a carburetor for a Chev 350 may prove a bit confusing if it is your first time choosing and lack the necessary pieces of advice from the experts. Yet, with the abovementioned facts and tips on how to zero in on the best carburetor for Chev 350 and knowing the most recommended carbs in the aftermarket field, you are indeed one step closer to selecting the best carb for your Chev 350.