Finding a new carburetor is hell, please help guys!

[benbloom]

Hi everyone, it is time to replace my carburetor, ive been running a quadrajett on my 350 small block for about 5 months before it started to dump fuel and was deemed unsalvageable. I also had a qjett before that, that gave me problems.

I understand that there is a general opinion that qjetts are the best carbs when rebuilt right, but ive been very surprised that there is no other option out there besides edlbrocks and hollys, both of which have terrible reputations and require some modifications. so, what would you do, try to find a place to rebuild the quadrajett, or is there a better carburetor out there for me. any input is appreciated. i live in the sf bay area, if anyone knows of anywhere near that does caring qjett rebuilds.

as always, thanks guys!

[picklito]

I went through this same problem recently. I can do my own Qjets and have used them for years. But unless they're right they can have you chasing settings for a very long time. This time I decided to do something different, and went with a Demon 1901. It's the best-running out of the box carb I've ever used. Absolutely love it. I did use an adapter plate to mount it onto the stock cast iron intake, but it was SO worth it.

[benbloom]

thanks man! looks promising, il definitely look more into that. did it fit onto your speak bore manifold?

[Mike C]

Make sure the rest of your fuel system is in good shape and not full of rust. Filter filter and filter. Q-jets are amazingly reliable so it's odd that you've had catastrophic failures.

I have a couple of JET stage II Q-jets and more recently bought a Summit house brand and all have been excellent FWIW.

[geezer#99]

Excellent carbs from smi.
I've had a couple.
And they're close by.
https://www.smicarburetor.com/

[brown7373]

X2 on Q-jet reliability. I currently have 3 old vehicles running them and they are great. I too learned long ago to build them myself. First I bought Doug Roe's book, then bought Cliff Ruggles' book when it came out. First, you need a decent carb to start with. If you have one that some idiot tightened to 30 lbs. ft. and warped the air horn, it will never work. Some carbs have leaking plugs, but that is not difficult to fix (Cliff's book) and I do it on ALL my carbs. Finally, don't buy a parts store rebuilt kit. Spend a couple bucks more and buy a quality kit from Cliff.

[leftybass209]

There are actually a few different manufacturers of carbs, but they're all based on just a couple design principles and some manufacturers pull off the concepts better.

Forget what you heard about Edelbrock or Holley. Only people that can't tune, don't understand them, or neglect to follow instructions are the ones slandering either company. All it takes is patience and education.

I do think a quadrajet is a better carb design of the 3, but I think it gets it's more solid reputation often because; it's a carb that will run despite all the things an owner neglected to fix using other carbs. I think a quad will run on a poorly set up motor, or a motor with mechanical issues mistaken for carb problems, more easily than an Edelbrock or Holley.

My experience has been ANY carb, Demon, Quad, Holley, Edelbrock, Webber, Etc... can run well given a logical and competent mechanic that learns the quirks and mysteries of the brand.

[GASoline71]

Sorry man, but I don't buy the whole "Holley and Edelbrock carbs have a bad rep" deal.

They are completely reliable and have to have minimal work done to make them work flawlessly. Q-jets, however are an exceptional carb. But they are all over 30 years old. Most have been rode hard and put up wet. So you have to put just as much money (or more) into a "new" Q-jet as you would to set up a Holley or Edelbrock carb.

I'm not a fan of Edlebrock carbs as they are just an old Weber, or Carter AFB design... which I don't care for. I've used them all and will admit that for a DD rig they are a great carb out of the box.

Being that I am more into performance engines, I use Holley carbs exclusively. Holley carbs don't need to be constantly tinkered with like the myths claim. It's actually harder to tune a Q-jet than it is a Holley. The Holley's downfall is that it is infinitely tunable. So cats don't know when to stop adjusting them and get themselves backed into a corner.

Anyways... a good Q-jet is hard to beat. But don't buy into they hype that aftermarket carbs aren't a great option. They are.

Gary

[Swar]

I've been running 2 Edelbrock 4 barrels 1000 cfm on my 350 for almost 10 years. No problems.

[Ironangel]

If you go with a square bore carb, you will need an adapter plate to maximize the design of the spread bore intake manifold. I have to agree with Gary in that those Holly's are a good and easy to learn carb. I bought two Quadrajets last year, one from Summit and one from Jet through Summit, both set up for 350 small blocks. The Summit carb ran for a minute and then puked, the Jet carb is still running great after 10,000+ miles. I sent the other carb to Cliff Ruggles to get rebuilt and re-calibrated for a built 396 BBC. After talking to Cliff (and he'll talk your leg off!) on the phone and giving him all the details of the big block, stall, rear gear, etc...Four weeks and $400 later I got a custom built out of the box Quadrajet that makes that big block scream! My point is this, if your going to go through the expense of purchasing a carb, go ahead and contact a reputable builder and save yourself some time, money, and headache. There are several good Quadrajet builders out there but after talking to Cliff Ruggles and researching his site and now running one of his carbs, I wont go anywhere else. He literally "wrote the book" on Quadrajets and answers his own calls. He also took the time to explain what was wrong with the Summit carb and what he did to correct it. "Forever Quadrajet's!" http://www.cliffshighperformance.com/

[benbloom]

thanks everyone for the help!
i got the quadrate running a little better, but after all that I'm still having the same issues as before, which make me think it was not intact a carburetor issue. truck is backfiring through carb. idling rough, and spitting black smoke. i changed the oil and spark plugs, no difference. anyone have any suggestions about where to go from here? am i going to have to get a mechanic to diagnose the problem or should i be able to?

[Swar]

Sounds like you need to check your timing, and make sure you don't have any wires crossed on the distributor and spark plugs.

[leftybass209]

Check your timing!!!!! Once you checked and verified it, CHECK IT AGAIN!!!!!

timing is the one thing that many people swear is correct, until they run out of options only to check it again and find, it was wrong from the start.

It's cheap or even free to do, go rent a timing light from an auto parts store. Don't bother with the silly put your finger over the #1 plug hole trick. Verify TDC correctly, and proceed.

[vics stuff]

If you are wanting a rebuilt carb I would highly recomend using National Carburetors out of Florida. They sell these dirrectly or through , Summit Racing and many auto parts stores. They do noy=t just wash these and put kits in them . They replace all throttle shafts , shaft bushings , replate all the brackets and refinnish the carb bodies and new fasteners . Did get one for my 72 and it works great. Just sent one for my 57 Chevy Belair for rebuilding. When the come back they look like new.
Just installed one on my 1986 Chevy truck. For the cost of just a gasket kit and carb dip I will send out to these guys hands down.
Vic

[GASoline71]

I replied in your other thread as well.

Never adjust a carb until timing is nailed down.

Gary

[toolboxchev]

Originally Posted by benbloom

Hi everyone, it is time to replace my carburetor, ive been running a quadrajett on my 350 small block for about 5 months before it started to dump fuel and was deemed unsalvageable. I also had a qjett before that, that gave me problems.

I understand that there is a general opinion that qjetts are the best carbs when rebuilt right, but ive been very surprised that there is no other option out there besides edlbrocks and hollys, both of which have terrible reputations and require some modifications. so, what would you do, try to find a place to rebuild the quadrajett, or is there a better carburetor out there for me. any input is appreciated. i live in the sf bay area, if anyone knows of anywhere near that does caring qjett rebuilds.

as always, thanks guys!

Manuel Choke Edelbrock is the least expensive way to go for me. Going on 7 years with no issues other than the occasional

[special-K]

People buy new Holleys and Edelbrocks and compare them to old Quadrajets. All carbs work nice when new. I've had them all and they all work well. I have no reason to put any down. I have never had any real grief from carburators. I prefer Quadrajets because I feel everything that came on these trucks can't be beat, time has proven these are great carbs, and the spread bore design is an idea all others should have followed. It just makes so much sense, especially in modern times. You get the best possible fuel economy cruising and get the full CFMs when you need them

[benbloom]

I wanted to give an update to you all, because i was so satisfied with the outcome. I went to The Carburetor Refactory in Richmond, got a rebuilt quadrajet and could not be more happy. It idles smooth, starts right up, and throttle response is linear and quick, it seriously almost feels like fuel injection.. i would really recommend these guys, really knowledgeable, about a week turnaround time, and rebuilt for $350!

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by Swar

I've been running 2 Edelbrock 4 barrels 1000 cfm on my 350 for almost 10 years. No problems.

2000 CFM of carburetion on a 350? bet that runs really well.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by benbloom

Hi everyone, it is time to replace my carburetor, ive been running a quadrajett on my 350 small block for about 5 months before it started to dump fuel and was deemed unsalvageable. I also had a qjett before that, that gave me problems.

I understand that there is a general opinion that qjetts are the best carbs when rebuilt right, but ive been very surprised that there is no other option out there besides edlbrocks and hollys, both of which have terrible reputations and require some modifications. so, what would you do, try to find a place to rebuild the quadrajett, or is there a better carburetor out there for me. any input is appreciated. i live in the sf bay area, if anyone knows of anywhere near that does caring qjett rebuilds.

as always, thanks guys!

Just go to any dragstrip and stroll through the pits. You'll find Demons, Holleys, a few Edelbrocks and a few Qjets, no AFB's. Holleys are just set 'em and forget 'em. Demons are a Holley design with a few bells and whistles hung on them and the real racers use either one. No one in his right mind would run a Carter AFB.

[KRamsey07]

Guys i hear ya on all out performance engines but heres a couple of tricks that work and it explains in details what to do http://www.route66hotrodhigh.com/PowerTuneQjet.html
bosshosshelp.com/Menu%20Items/quadrajet/MikeQuadrajet/quadrajet.htm
and this book is a good one How to Rebuild & Modify Rochester Quadrajet Carburetors (S-a Design) Paperback – June 15, 2006
by Cliff Ruggles (Author)

Again not saying your going to have a 1000hp engine running off of it but there are some things that work well with these

[hugger6933]

The advise I have always given about carbs is If your racing go with a Holley, if your riding go with a Carter/Edelbrock. If your stock or very close go with a Q-Jet.

[picklito]

That's good advice. My .02 would be to make sure what you have is optimized. I think we've all seen just about every brand thrown in the trash by a disgruntled owner... usually because they just don't have the right info/knowledge/skills/patience/whatever to make ''that" carb work on "this" engine. Additionally, I could give example after example of carbs delivered from the factory nicely messed up. A Holley with the rear float all the way down (rear bowl empty - "why does it fall on its face when I put it on the floor?), AFB missing a float on one side (true... really), Q-jet "fully rebuilt"... but missing the accelerator pump. All of those carbs "really sucked" according to the owners. Thinking back, that Q-jet worked really well as long as you were easy on the pedal changes. Ha Ha.

[leftybass209]

Originally Posted by benbloom

I wanted to give an update to you all, because i was so satisfied with the outcome. I went to The Carburetor Refactory in Richmond, got a rebuilt quadrajet and could not be more happy. It idles smooth, starts right up, and throttle response is linear and quick, it seriously almost feels like fuel injection.. i would really recommend these guys, really knowledgeable, about a week turnaround time, and rebuilt for $350!

That's awesome! Glad to hear you got it worked out.

[picklito]

Ditto. Did that price include replating? Can you post a pic please?