Holley 4160/3810 Float Bowl Vent Rod

[Rick R.]

The TIM/JG states "the primary bowl vent rod ACTUATING ARM ( my caps) is black phosphate." I take this to mean the rectangular arm that actuates the round bowl vent rod ( not the round bowl vent rod itself) is supposed to be black phosphate. Regardless, I've looked at every picture I can find of new/repo 4160's as well as old carbs needing rebuild, and I can't find any where the actuating lever OR the vent bowl rod are black. Many of the pictures of used carbs show corrosion/discoloring/fuel varnish on the round vent rod, making it a dark color, but clearly not black phosphate coating. Please share your knowledge/observations. Appreciated as always.

[Rick R.]

Re: Holley 4160/3810 Float Bowl Vent Rod

No one has a known original 1967 3810 Holley?????

[Leif A.]

Re: Holley 4160/3810 Float Bowl Vent Rod

Rick,
First picture of an original 3810 restored by Bob Kunz. Look closely and you'll see the black phosphate coated vent rod. Second picture, a service replacement with a gold dichromate coloring. Which is correct...maybe both. I have a new Holley 3810 on my '67 now and the rod is a golden color, as well.

[Michael M.]

Re: Holley 4160/3810 Float Bowl Vent Rod

I saved the first two pics below, posted by John Hinckley a few years ago of his original 3810. The arm you mention doesn't look black phosphate to me. Interestingly, the third pic is my service replacement 3810 and the arm has what looks like a gray phosphate finish.

[Rick R.]

Re: Holley 4160/3810 Float Bowl Vent Rod

Leif & Mike thanks for posting! Your combined pictures perfectly illustrate the issue. Leif, your carb restored by Bob, does seem to show a phosphate colored vent ROD. Mike, your last picture seems to show a phosphate finished vent rod ACTUATING ARM ( the arm which ACTUATES the round vent rod that Leif is talking about) . This goes right to the heart of my question and confusion. As mentioned in my OP, the exact wording in the TIM/JG would point to the arm on Mike's carburetor being phosphate coated, NOT the round vent rod itself. Is that what they meant? - I'm not a mind reader. Unfortunately, there is no picture in the TIM/JG to go along with the statement. So which part is supposed to be black phosphate? - Maybe neither one, as seems to be the case with most of the carbs out there. Also, as previously mentioned, several of the old carbs or float bowl assemblies that I see on ebay have varnish/grime/corrosion on the round vent rods that make them appear almost black, but I saw none that appeared to actually be phosphate coated. Not a big deal, but I was somewhat dismayed when I read this in the TIM/JG and observed that my fancy new $800 dated carb did not have either part black phosphate. This is the kind of thing that makes me crazy. This and ribbed fuel hose, lol.

Rick

[Leif A.]

Re: Holley 4160/3810 Float Bowl Vent Rod

Rick,
A side shot of the original 3810 that Bob Kunz restored for me. Note, all the small rods are black phosphate on his restoration.

[Rick R.]

Re: Holley 4160/3810 Float Bowl Vent Rod

Leif, I appreciate you taking time to post. Yet ANOTHER variation. I'm all done with this wild goose chase. It ranks right up there with finned harmonic balancers and gold front caliper brackets.

[Gene M.]

Re: Holley 4160/3810 Float Bowl Vent Rod

You should be looking at original carburetors that are not restored. Restored anything is a restorers interpretation of what they think it should be. Not necessarily what it was.

Sorry I’m not home now and can’t remember schit on the rod finish.

[Rick R.]

Re: Holley 4160/3810 Float Bowl Vent Rod

True enough. And there couldn't be an error in the manual either.