replacement carb

I need a carb for my '89 nautique. After researching previous posts I noticed that most of you recommended rebuild rather than replace. Unfortunately my boat has been run in salt water and the carb is corroded. The linkage, idle adjustment, choke assembly are corroded. There is air leakage in the linkage at the bottom. More corrosion inside. It is depressing to look at. I think it will take a lot of time that it may not ever work right because of the corrosion. I am looking at a replacement Holley 4160 at Summit Racing for $450 or an Edlebrock Marine at Summit Racing for $295.

Does anyone know of problems that I might run into with the Edlebrock conversion? Please keep in mind that I am somewhat of a novice in carb repair. I heard that the Edlebrock is easier to adjust externally. And it is $150 cheaper.   Any thoughts?

Well jefmar, my Holley was pitted around the air horn and might have been inside to so rather then rebuild it with a kit and not be sure of the tiny fuel/air passages being rotted I went with the marine Edelbrock,, about $200 cheaper than Holley AND a little lower in height if you use a wedge plate this is important, I have a aluminum intake and the wedge plate and about 1 inch clearance to the engine cover with a 1” high spark arrestor. BTW I drilled and threaded a PCV connection hole in the rear of the wedge plate so I don't use the 1" PCV spacer.

I have to say I’ve had better luck with Holley but the cost was a interesting factor, it’s a 1409 marine carb and has a terrible transition from idle through the “transition” circuit right off idle, I’m not sure if a rod/jet change will help or not, haven’t had a chance to try that yet. Other than that they have some good features like no gasket below fuel level, easy to calibrate ( you don’t have to drain them to do so ) BUT if the price was the same as Holley marine I would go there if engine cover clearance is not an issue. It’s funny, I have a twin engine Trojan boat that has 318 Chryslers both with Carter AFB four barrel carbs (essentially the same as Edelbrock ) and they don’t stumble of idle, rebuilt them 5 years ago and still seam to run fine.

I don’t feel the stumble in gear, just if you slowly raise the RPM in neutral, may have done that with Holley but just never noticed it. Maybe the Edelbrock will pan out after a little tweeking.

Thank you for the input. I ordered for a Holley 4160 for Ford 351 marine from Summit Racing today. It sounds like CC fans have had success with the Edlebrock alternative but some are struggling getting it to work well. Being a novice I thought I will be better off getting the replacement carb that is set up for the Ford 351. I will let everyone know how it works out.

greg were is the link I'm looking for spare carb