55 Ford Holley 2100

[Daves55Sedan]

I just took apart a Holley 2100, original 55 Ford carb. It has a metal ball that goes into the bore where the pump discharge nozzle sits in the main body of the carburetor.
I am wondering if this is wrong. I have a FORD carb identical to the Holley, but it has a needle instead of a ball that goes there.
Can somebody tell me if the little ball is right for the Holley? Would it be better to put a needle in place of the ball ?

[ford3]

the ball is right, it stops the acelerator pump from pumping the fuel back into the fuel bowl, ive seen them both ways, use what was in the carb

[Bill Steiner]

Yes they had a ball. Bill

[Hot Rod Reverend]

ditto to the two replies.... I have rebuilt more of those ECG's and EBU's 94's than I care to remember... they all had the check ball under the wire keeper

[ken ct]

I dont think hes talking about the 1 at the bottom of the accelerator pump hole. Sounds like hes refering to the one under the "Y" squirter in the center and it should be a brass needle similar to the inlet needle only in brass.And it goes in with the pointed end down. ken ct.

[Daves55Sedan]

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YES it is under the pump discharge nozzle "Y". It is a ball in the Holley carb.
In the identical Ford carb, there is a needle instead of the ball.
Here's what is interesting. I have (2) new rebuild kits that both contain (2) new balls and a needle. One of the balls goes down at the bottom of the accel; pump and is held in place by a spring steel retainer clip. There is no other place for the second one other than for use in the pump discharge (without the needle).
So I am assuming that the ball IS CORRECT for the Holley, and the needle is only used on the Ford and maybe Carter carbs??? Just wanted to confirm that with our experts here.

[Daves55Sedan]

I've already got the thing re-assembled and put back on the self again. It is a spare for the next time my other carb gets clogged. The Holley (with the ball) was on the car and worked well for about a year until it got clogged with dirt/sediment from the gas tank. Then I swapped it for the Ford carb. Installed new gas filter every time it happens too, but they don't do the job. dirt still gets in the carb. I may need to find a different gas station. I am beginning to think that the underground tank has been breeched allowing dirt and high water table to enter the tank at the gas station. Then you unknowingly pump it into your gas tank. I did also have ice in the carb when it was very cold, suggesting that there was water in the gas.

[scicala]

I have a Holley service manual and it shows the blowup for a 1955 Ford Holley 2100 DD carb. I shows a needle that goes in the hole for the accel pump discharge and not a ball. If the needle fits good and has a little room to go up and down, then I would use it regardless. That way it acts like a channel filler too, and is less likely to have a stumble on acceleration because of an air pocket.

[Daves55Sedan]

Originally Posted by scicala

If the needle fits good and has a little room to go up and down, then I would use it regardless. That way it acts like a channel filler too, and is less likely to have a stumble on acceleration because of an air pocket.

It never hesitated upon acceleration with the ball in there, But I am going to go ahead and replace the ball with the needle since the Holley manual shows it and because the needle must be much heavier than the little ball. The needle should seat more firmly due to the weight.

[Hot Rod Reverend]

DOH! Reread your first post and you did say "discharge nozzle". sorry about that with my first reply.

I have always used the needle in the hole under that assembly. I don't think you can go wrong doing what you plan to do... usually those instructions diagrams are pretty good, even with the variations.

[ken ct]

Originally Posted by scicala

I have a Holley service manual and it shows the blowup for a 1955 Ford Holley 2100 DD carb. I shows a needle that goes in the hole for the accel pump discharge and not a ball. If the needle fits good and has a little room to go up and down, then I would use it regardless. That way it acts like a channel filler too, and is less likely to have a stumble on acceleration because of an air pocket.

I also have a Holley hard cover book from back in the day and is as thick as a NY telephone book. Has all carb models made by Holley and service procedures. Shows 2100 DD + 2100 EE models with a needle in there.Right from the service pages on these carbs. You can see a needle in the passage NOT a ball. A ball might work but is not correct. ken ct.

[Daves55Sedan]

I'm convinced. The needle it is. Can't go wrong if Holley manual shows a needle IMO.
Thanks Fordbarners