[JayInCA]

I've searched through the forums trying to find the information I'm looking for but as of yet...I haven't found it.

I came across a 1982 F150 XLT Lariat with the 351 Windsor for free. My friend was moving cross country, and couldn't take it with him. The only issue is the fact that it needs a new carburetor and a new voltage regulator. Voltage regulator is not an issue, the carburetor is something new to me. All of my vehicles have been Fuel Injected and this is my first carburated vehicle.

I've been calling around and have found that since it is a variable venturi carb, it's going to run around $500+ to replace it, and around $400+ in order to rebuild it.

So, here's my main question, is there a huge performance benefit having a variable venturi carb? Is it a gas saver? Can I replace it with the $200 replacement from Holley(Not variable ventura)? Will it be a lot harder to install an Edelbrock/Weber carb made for my engine displacement(351), since they're practically the same price as the Variable Venturi?

I mean, from what I've read, it seems like a solid concept, fuel/air mixture varies depending on flow rate (at least that's what I've comprehended it as). But, I often go into the mountains, and take my trucks to the desert for off roading, and I know that carburated vehicles can stall at steep angles, as well as rough terrain at high speeds, so will the variable venturi combat that?

Blech, not used to this...debating converting it to fuel injected, but what's the fun in not learnin' anything new?

Thank you all in advance.