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That's correct. The stock Q-Jet is the best carb you can use for mileage. It's also the best carb for bottom-end torque, and it will perform as well as any other aftermarket carb on the top end if set up right. For best mileage, tune the carb correctly, but more importantly, get your timing...

Don't use an aftermarket fan - get a stock unit and use a stock fan clutch. You can get good clutches from NAPA, but get the stock fan from a slavage yard or through a good Vette supplier such as Paragon. Put your Summit catalog back in the bathroom. Lars

I agree with John: I've actually seen a couple of those fans come apart on the dyno, and it makes one heck of a mess with a lot of damage when it happens in the car. Also, the stock fan with a clutch is not only safer, but consumes less horsepower than one of those flex fans (I've tested...

Couple of comments to the Original Poster: 1. Whether or not you have local or State emissions test requirements where you live, the automotive emissions controls are Federally-mandated items, and removing the catalytic converter on a car puts you in violation of Federal laws, whether enforced...

On ECM-controlled engines, the ignition curve must be altered by re-programming the PROM. You can obtain more total by advancing initial, but you're just shifting the rpm-scale of the curve. This can have a good effect, but it's not producing an optimum performance curve. Lars

Your question is addressed in detail in my Vacuum Advance Tech Paper. E-mail me for a copy if you don't have a current version. Lars V8FastCars@msn.com

I have a complete paper on how to rebuild the front end. Just drop me an e-mail request for the current version. The rear suspension is straight forward, but there is some specialty work involved if you want to rebuild the trailing arms and the rear wheel bearings - I have good papers written by...

Due to variations in fuel octane ratings and compression ratio, the "back off 2 degrees from detonation" technique will typcally result in an over-advanced condition which is not conducive to best power. Having done dyno testing on dozens of engines (both Ford and GM), I can state with certainty...

That's the idea. By creating a slight common plenum volume above the dual plane intake, you gain significant top-end (torque curve shifts upward) with insignificant low-end loss. The common "speed trick" back in the late 60's was to mill down the divider between the plenum wall on the secondary...

Initial timing setting and advance curves were set up to meet emissions requirements - not to meet Mexican fuel requirements. For best performance, initial timing is irrelevant, and the engine should be timed to 36 total. This will be within 2 degrees of optimal timing for most American V8s...

If you need to pass an emissions test, set initial timing between 0 and 6. But if you want the car to run right, be sure to read my papers on how to set the timing, available by e-mail request from me. You don't set the timing to an initial timing spec for best performance. Lars V8FastCars@msn.com

That's the correct exit location for the pump. If you have a stock fuel line, the line will have a smooth loop in it to curve it out of the pump and up alongside the block. This routing keeps the fuel line away from the lower radiator hose. You might want to order the correct reproduction fuel...

Hib is correct: You'd be surprised how many people I've seen drop an automatic out of a Vette on jack stands, only to realize that the tranny can't be removed from the confines of the transmission tunnel area... If you're strong enough to do it, you can slide the tranny off the jack with the...

In most cases, a non-working high-mileage alternator will just need a set of brushes, a regulator, and the front & rear bearings. These parts are all available from your local NAPA store. You can e-mail me for my alternator paper for some easy instructions: V8FastCars@msn.com Lars

It's not likely that the spring retainer hit the seals - the springs will go into spring bind before the retainers can hit the tops of the valve guides. More likely, the umbrella seals, which are not positively attached to the valve guide bosses, are moving up and down with the valves and being...

There's no problem properly repairing the stripped inlet threads. The Q-Jet you have, providing it has not been through a commercial rebuilding process, can be set up to run very well on your car. Lars

Yeah, I had a funny feeling you were sucking oil down those guides... The Viton Positive Stop seals cannot be used with as-cast guides. If they are jammed down over the top of a cast guide boss, they will not seal, and they will likely tear, as you have observed. Valves without the upper stem...

As a result of your help, I now just need to do some cutting, welding, and whiskey drinking to get this exhaust to fit and look like yours... If you were a real friend, you'd contribute with either some cutting help, welding help, or a bottle of good whiskey. :beer Lars

Yeah, I think that's what I said... Lars

Outstanding work - that's exactly what I needed! Thank you!! Lars