Holley 94 air screws
 

Hello fellas. New here to the Ford Barn. I’ve been rebuilding a few carbs for a 2x2 intake I’m swapping into my 52 F2. One carb had the idle air screws modified with a groove cut down the entire length. Never seen this before in my 35 years as a mechanic. Was wondering if this was some old shade tree mechanic’s trick to lean out carb due to no access for parts or what? Anyone seen this before or know why? Good thing I have an abundance of parts.

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

Interesting./ Hope some one chimes in.

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

No, it's a new one on me. But I haven't finished learnin' yet. Welcome to the barn. I'm a 94 guy myself. Never had a Stromberg.

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

I have no idea why that was done to the idle mixture screws, other that someone wanting to seat the screws and still be able to idle. Doesn't make sense to me at all.
I guess it's possible the carb was a school educational tool and it was modified to discourage theft. I remember seeing new carbs donated in high school that had a hole drilled through them to make them good for school only.


Sal

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

Probably as you say, a shade tree mechanic's mistaken idea of an "improvement" to the Holley carb because, as you know, "them oil companies paid off those Holley engineers so cars would use more gas!". There sure are a lot of urban myths in this old car hobby, some old, some new! Like, "if you line up all the ring gaps your engine won't start (or run, or burn oil, or ...something)"; or "you need that 4th oil ring to somehow 'stabilize' the piston"; or "the 'W' as in 30W stands for 'Weight' (it actually means 'Winter'); and the list goes on. Anybody got any more favorite myths?

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

Yes indeed

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

Thanks Mart. Every day is a learning experience.

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

I hear ya. Started thinking maybe whoever did it couldn’t get access to a parts source stuck up in the high mountains somewhere and had to come up with a way to lean out the carb. Funny thing is that a black line was painted on the knurled part for clocking it. Guess he thought to fine tune it

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

Compensation for a blown power valve maybe? Strange to say the least.

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

Strange for sure. Someone suggested I try them on a known good carb. Think I’ll try them out tomorrow. Just rebuilt the one on the truck two weeks ago and running nice.

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

41ford1 may have something there, bit i've never seen that either. How about some pics of
your F 2 .
mike

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

Sure Mike. No fancy stuff here though

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

Sorry about the sideways pictures. Doing this with my phone not sure why it does that

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

well ive heard of it but never seen it. The marks on the screws are alignment marks and face upwards when the screws are bottomed out then a groove is cut to give a predetermined permanent opening [ie idle jet] this is used to keep fuel flowing in the carby and keep the bowl supply fresh so stopping secondary carbs fouling up with stale gas when not in use dont know if it works but thats the theory

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

Wow, that is some pretty cool hot rodding stuff. Never mind old school more like pre school. Sounds feasible to me. I would just stomp on the accelerator once in a while, more fun. Too bad I’m gonna run two primaries otherwise I would give it a try. Thanks Aussie Merc. How’re you fellas doing down under with this virus situation. People here are hording toilet paper. Whackos.

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

trust me you dont have a monopoly on those that are a special kind of stupid

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

Al, thanks 4 the pics. Use'n the truck to haul bikes ? Have fun & stay safe.
mike

Re: Holley 94 air screws
 

Yes Mike. Hauling old Harleys with an old ford truck is cool for sure. 1903 was a great year for both. Also why the express bed. 😎