[LongBox]

This thread was sure not what I expected when I read the title "Why all the hype about horsepower and torque." Lots of good information on carbs here, but some guys really do want a vehicle that has lots and lots of acceleration, and they are prepared to live with hard starting, lumpy idle, etc. etc. etc.

My 350 on the 69 has the stock Q-Jet, and despite the potential in the design of that carb (small primaries), the truck gets really lousy gas mileage. I don't think anybody cared back in the 60s. So, for the OP, getting the factory stock, smooth idling, easy starting, sewing machine carb might mean poor mileage, when it doesn't have to be that way. Things have improved since the 60s.