New Carb. or Not New Carb.

[chockey]

I have an 81 with an original Q-jet and she has some gasket problems including the gasket on the intake manifold. I can have it rebuilt and it would probably be slightly cheaper but would it be better to just replace it with a newer carb.

Will there be height problems with the air cleaner if I choose to replace. I'm looking into a Holly and hope for better engine response, I realize that this is not a performance engine but would like more kick when the lights go green.

I have heard that the Q-jets are a pain and the mechanic I work with thinks in the long run it would be better to replace.

I know that you folks have a ton of valuable information and would appreciate your input.

Thanks
Chuck

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

I have an 81 with an original Q-jet and she has some gasket problems including the gasket on the intake manifold. I can have it rebuilt and it would probably be slightly cheaper but would it be better to just replace it with a newer carb.

Will there be height problems with the air cleaner if I choose to replace. I'm looking into a Holly and hope for better engine response, I realize that this is not a performance engine but would like more kick when the lights go green.

I have heard that the Q-jets are a pain and the mechanic I work with thinks in the long run it would be better to replace.

I know that you folks have a ton of valuable information and would appreciate your input.

Thanks
Chuck

Hi Chuck: Holley carbs are real nice, but tend to be tricky when setting 'em up (fine tuning). If you don't have a good "Holley-Man" around to help you out, they can be a real PITA. The direct bolt on Holley for your engine would be a spread-bore holley, but that's a 650 CFM single feed, double pumper & may not work real well on your stock motor (too much carb & a gas waister). On the other hand, a real nice streetable carb is the Edlebrock carb (real similiar in design as the Carter). Most of the guys I know that put an Edlebrock carb on their motors, said that it was a direct bolt on & ran good with little effort on adjustments. I would think that the Edlebrock is a much better carb that the Rochester Q-Jet. Edlebrock's come in different sizes (CFM's), check with your mechanic to see what he would think would be the best application for you engine. Also, should not present a problem with hood clearance. One more thing, you may want to change the manifold to a square bore design & get away from that spread bore design. Good luck!

Dave:

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

Chuck: Ok.......checked with a friend of mine. A direct bolt on Holley would be the Model 4175. This is a spread bore design carb & will work on your stock manifold. That's if you don't want to change the manifold. You can either go to holley's site www.holley.com or try Summitt Racing in Ohio. Either place can help you out.

Dave:

 

[grayghost]

I just installed an Edlebrock 600cfm on my "modified" 350 and
I'm very pleased with the performance. If you go with this
carb you will need to go with a 4-6 gpm fuel pump. The stock pump is 9-11 gpm which is too much for the carb. You could try a pressure reducer but I would recommend the electric Holley unit

 

[MidShark]

First question is, do you have the computer controlled original carb on your car?
Dick

 

[grayghost]

No. My car is a 78 and had the regular old Q-Jet. After I had the engine rebuilt, we discovered that the primary of the Q-Jet could not deliver enough fuel (175 cfm) to the new engine. The Edlebrock has a 300cfm primary that works great but required the 4-6gpm fuel pump. The carb bolted right on. I did switch to the electric choke instead of the hot air type choke on the old
Q-Jet. There is lots of info on the various forums the deal with electric fuel pumps that I found to be helpful.

 

[chockey]

I took the 81 to my mechanic and had the intentions of replacing it with a Holley but after pulling the carb it mostly needed a new gasket on the intake manifold. He replaced that and put new gaskets in the carb and tweeeked her a bit, WOW what a difference. But I still plan on upgrading the carb but for now it still gives me some extra change to do some of the other things that need attention and I can plan on this being a winter thing. Thanks for your input and when I decide to kick up the ponies I will replace the Q-jet.

Thanks
Chuck