Quadrajet Beat down - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**JMac11** · 02-08-2011, 09:54 PM

Gotta Crow...... took about twice as long as it should, had one more fire than planned but I did it. I rebuilt a Quadrajet for my 84 K10 and it works better than it did before. I had paid an old timer 25 bucks to go through it last year with not so good results. Pretty sure the (insert chain parts store) kit was wrong, some of the choke linkage was wrong and the whole choke housing was loose.

I am sure that my success is based on several things.

1) Buy Cliff Ruggles book/ parts, read it twice before you start
2) Take pictures or have internet access because some of the linkage is a bear
3) Take your time
4) Be gentle

I plan to drive it for a while to base line the stock rebuild and then do some of the improvements in the book.

Restrorob · 02-08-2011, 10:08 PM

After seeing your thread title, I was looking for another Q-jet bash thread....

These things are easy as pie to rebuild and custom tune once one LEARNS how to work on them, As you found a book there are many many how too's all over the net.

It's good to hear you were successful your first time, The more you work with them the easier they get and the better you can make them perform.....

dieseldr4 · 02-08-2011, 10:52 PM

JMac11, good to hear you got a handle on it.. i just had mine done by a local guy (needed throttle shafts bushed) and it is awesome now as well, well almost.. have any of you had them drip gas from the boosters at idle? mine is and i suspect the float level is a little high.. id take it back to the guy that did the carb except i always have to leave my truck with him for a week or he takes the carb and my truck sits at home for a week.. what do you guys think about the fuel dripping from the boosters at idle?

any help is appreciated,

thanks, diesel

geezer#99 · 02-08-2011, 11:37 PM

You're right. Float is a little high!!

dieseldr4 · 02-08-2011, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geezer#99

You're right. Float is a little high!!

thank you geezer!

Restrorob · 02-09-2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geezer#99

You're right. Float is a little high!!

^^^^ Ditto,

You can pop the top without removing the carb to lower the level a little....

andyh1956 · 02-09-2011, 08:26 AM

q jet builds do best w/ a new float. over time they get heavy & the fuel they displace changes from factory float settings. another tip is during re build always install a fuel well plug it. that kit will stop the factory plugs from leaking when the carb gets hot.
andy

geezer#99 · 02-09-2011, 09:50 AM

Ditto what Andy said. If you've never had a quadrajet apart before pull it off the motor. There's a few small screws and clips that are easily lost. Easier on a work bench.

**JMac11** · 02-09-2011, 10:56 AM

Followed the reccomendation in the book. Ruggles suggest a large cookie sheet, I bought a drip pan from the parts house, about 3'x4'... great idea, easy to clean and store in a small shop.

**JMac11** · 02-17-2011, 09:17 PM

Update.... Topped off last Thursday, 96 intown miles, still tweaking choke, idle mixture, idle speed, fast idle and idle up solenoid. Barely jammed 10 Gallons of gas in it tonight. I figure that a solid 10 miles to the gallon in town.

This is with an 84 K10, 700r4, 2.73 axles, and 33x12.50 tires. Engine is a L31 Short Block, Trick Flow Heads, Lunati Voodoo Cam, Performer intake, Hooker Headers and a Quadrajet.

Next up, rebush throttle plate, and some other suggestions from Ruggles book.

02-08-2011, 09:54 PM	#1
JMac11 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tallahassee Fl Posts: 773	Quadrajet Beat down Gotta Crow...... took about twice as long as it should, had one more fire than planned but I did it. I rebuilt a Quadrajet for my 84 K10 and it works better than it did before. I had paid an old timer 25 bucks to go through it last year with not so good results. Pretty sure the (insert chain parts store) kit was wrong, some of the choke linkage was wrong and the whole choke housing was loose. I am sure that my success is based on several things. 1) Buy Cliff Ruggles book/ parts, read it twice before you start 2) Take pictures or have internet access because some of the linkage is a bear 3) Take your time 4) Be gentle I plan to drive it for a while to base line the stock rebuild and then do some of the improvements in the book.

02-08-2011, 10:08 PM	#2
Restrorob The One And Only !!! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hole in the woods Florida Posts: 4,567	Re: Quadrajet Beat down After seeing your thread title, I was looking for another Q-jet bash thread.... These things are easy as pie to rebuild and custom tune once one LEARNS how to work on them, As you found a book there are many many how too's all over the net. It's good to hear you were successful your first time, The more you work with them the easier they get and the better you can make them perform..... __________________ 93 Jeep XJ 88 Buick La Sabra Toys; 88 TA-GTA in the works.... 97 GMC Ext. Cab 502 Crate 5 Spd......Sucks Gas But Haulz Azz ! The primary function of an Engineer is to make it difficult for the Fabricator and impossible for the Mechanic. *"Why go out preserved when you can go out beat up, worn out, sliding in sideways screaming, Holy Sh!t What A Ride" !!!*

02-08-2011, 10:52 PM	#3
dieseldr4 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: apple valley , ca Posts: 125	Re: Quadrajet Beat down JMac11, good to hear you got a handle on it.. i just had mine done by a local guy (needed throttle shafts bushed) and it is awesome now as well, well almost.. have any of you had them drip gas from the boosters at idle? mine is and i suspect the float level is a little high.. id take it back to the guy that did the carb except i always have to leave my truck with him for a week or he takes the carb and my truck sits at home for a week.. what do you guys think about the fuel dripping from the boosters at idle? any help is appreciated, thanks, diesel __________________ be a site supporter

02-08-2011, 11:37 PM	#4
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,531	Re: Quadrajet Beat down You're right. Float is a little high!!

02-09-2011, 08:26 AM	#7
andyh1956 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: thomastown mississippi Posts: 1,261	Re: Quadrajet Beat down q jet builds do best w/ a new float. over time they get heavy & the fuel they displace changes from factory float settings. another tip is during re build always install a fuel well plug it. that kit will stop the factory plugs from leaking when the carb gets hot. andy

02-09-2011, 09:50 AM	#8
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,531	Re: Quadrajet Beat down Ditto what Andy said. If you've never had a quadrajet apart before pull it off the motor. There's a few small screws and clips that are easily lost. Easier on a work bench.

02-09-2011, 10:56 AM	#9
JMac11 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tallahassee Fl Posts: 773	Re: Quadrajet Beat down Followed the reccomendation in the book. Ruggles suggest a large cookie sheet, I bought a drip pan from the parts house, about 3'x4'... great idea, easy to clean and store in a small shop.

02-17-2011, 09:17 PM	#10
JMac11 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tallahassee Fl Posts: 773	Re: Quadrajet Beat down Update.... Topped off last Thursday, 96 intown miles, still tweaking choke, idle mixture, idle speed, fast idle and idle up solenoid. Barely jammed 10 Gallons of gas in it tonight. I figure that a solid 10 miles to the gallon in town. This is with an 84 K10, 700r4, 2.73 axles, and 33x12.50 tires. Engine is a L31 Short Block, Trick Flow Heads, Lunati Voodoo Cam, Performer intake, Hooker Headers and a Quadrajet. Next up, rebush throttle plate, and some other suggestions from Ruggles book.



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