Webber DMSA or Holly carb? (with pic goodness)

[bwilson27]

My '74 1800 came with an aftermarket Holly on it. I don't even know what model it is. I've never ran the engine, just pulled it to install in the '75.
The carb looks rough:





In the trunk was the original carb- a Webber DMSA model.
It's even rougher looking:







Which should I keep and rebuild? Are either of them even worth it? I don't want to shell out hundreds for a new one...

[So Cal Mark]

what is the throttle bore size in the Holley? Since you stated you dont want to buy a new one, I'd use the Holley if the throttle size is larger than the Weber

[bwilson27]

Mark- The Holley has a primary bore of of 32 mm, secondary of 35mm.
The Webber has a diameter of 33 mm for both.

[scarlson]

The Holley looks like a 5200. It is a licensed copy of a Weber 32/36 DFEV. The throttle plates measure 32/36 and the venturi are 26/27.

The DMSA has 34/34 throttle plates and 25/27 venturi.

The 5200 looks much better than the Weber. I would use it. You might get a little more power from the larger venturi, but it might not be noticeable.

[bwilson27]

Yes, you're right, it is a 5200.
I've read where the 5200's had leakage problems due to no bushing on the secondary.
The previous owner did mention the carb leaked like a sieve, but I attributed that to a possible bad base gasket.
I'll have to take it apart and closely inspect this carb at those areas before I decide if it's worth rebuilding.

Thanks for the info.

[MNspiderman]

That Holley was used on cars such as the old mercury capri's, the mustang II's with the german engine where the carb was on the pass side instead of the drivers side, Other cars of course too. It was a very smooth flowing carb, yours looks rough, but the guts will tell the truth, and you can get bushings for the throttle plate shaft pretty easy at any carb shop. Which one is better? I dont know, they are about the same in my opinion. I used to rebuild carbonators back in the day, especially multi carbs and do set up. So my opinion has some credentials backing it up.

[bwilson27]

Heh, I respect your qualified opinion... But what is it, exactly?
Both are about the same, I guess... But, all things considered, I suppose I'll go for Holley.
It seems to have all it's pieces included (you can see my awesome linkage fix using R/C linkage), and it looks healthier.
The Weber is missing much of the linkage rods and pins and springs and stuff... Pity though, I'd have liked to use the Weber, keeping it more stock-like.
Oh who knows, by the time my restore is complete, I will probably just spring for a new carb anyway... That'll be a few years from now, no doubt.

[So Cal Mark]

I'd put on the Holley, and sell the Weber. Those 34 dmsa models bring big money on ebay

[bwilson27]

Yeah, that's what I'm going to do.
Whew- trying to find the correct rebuild kit for that Holley was an ordeal. I tried Napa then Autozone, and they were just totally clueless about it. I spent about 45 minutes at each place watching them stare at the computer.
I scoured the web, trying to find anyway of identifying it, then went to Kragen, where the parts guy ended up calling some other guy who correctly identified it. He said "It's pretty much a Weber". Yeah, I'd been telling everyone that since the beginning.
But I have the right part # for the kit, and decided to sell the Weber on the drive home.

It's pretty wasted, as you can see, I'd be happy to at least get enough to buy the $27.00 rebuild kit for the Holley.

I like the Holley, cause it has that mechanical secondary. Oh, and the electric choke, too.

[So Cal Mark]

even though the Weber is missing some parts, I'd expect you could get upwards of $100 on ebay for it. I wouldn't sell a complete used unit for less than $150

[swede]

I would by it depending on price, using a DMS 34 today on my 1800 spider
please send a pm if it´s for sale.

[bradartigue]

That Weber has a mechanical secondary as well. That Holley is a Weber licensed copy, they made them for US cars and even branded some Holley-Weber. That's why half the parts on it are Weber, like the electric choke (that EW emblem is Weber's emblem).

The DMS looks shot though; a direct replacement for both is the DFEV, under $300 new and far better than either. Alternatively you could get the DMS rebuilt for about $250.00 (a real rebuild, not a gasket/seal replacement) if Weber still offers the service (Obert lists it in his catalog but I don't know if it is done).

I've brought some awful looking Webers back to life, they are amazingly durable carbs. Holley? Well, if you can live with it under your Italian hood then no one will rat on you. I'd take a grinder to the Holley nameplate though...