Replace or Rebuild Q-jet?

[78SilvAnniv]

We are having problems with our original carb and I am contemplating replacement, but I see that most replacements are remanufactured, which basically means rebuilt...right?

I really want to keep my original carb.
If the ones for sale at parts stores and in the catalogs are remans, can I expect to have my original Qjet rebuilt and perform the same as these new/remanufactured ones? What sort of life-expectancy could I expect from my rebuilt original carb compared to a brand new carb and also a reman carb?
Heidi

 

[rpounds]

Howdy Heidi,

A good shop that knows Q-jets can put it into better than new condition. Take a look here:

http://quadrajetcarburetors.com/index.html

There is a shop here in the town where I live that will rebuild one for about $125, including installing bushings and setting it up correctly. He has done one for me and several for my friends with no problems. I have stated my opinion here before about Q-jets. I think they are a great carb for street driving, with a good combination of mileage and power due to the spreadbore design (small primaries, huge secondaries). Some people experience bogging with the Q-jet. Because of the vacuum operated secondary design (certainly not a Q-jet exclusive), people often do not get them set up correcly. If you get yours rebuilt and experience any bogging, just take it in to the guy that rebuilt it. Adjusting the secondary opening is a five minute job.

Ron

 

[tomtom72]

Hi Heidi, What Ron says I agree with, if it's going to be a #'s car a good carb shop is way to go. Only thing I would check before you 'pull off ' the carb is make sure there are no vacume leaks from any of the throtle shafts and any of the sub-assembly mating surfaces. You see with a good quality Reman'ed carb they test the cores on a flow bench type machine to find all those problems before they rebuild it. You could kinda do the same while it is still on the car, at least you could check all the major areas that might leak, like the throttle plate to air horn seam & the throttle shaft holes(I read somewher here,Norval I think, the throttle shaft holes are noted for wear) and any other major seam. This way you could give the rebuilder a heads-up on any problem areas. A oil squirt can,and a q-tip and 50w oil should do it. I used to do the 'time & rag' test on my vette(it used a holley, plenty-o-places to leak), at idle all warmed up put rag over air horn and see how long it takes to stall, and how it stalls.If it just shuts down with out rpm fluctuation in about 3-5 secs. then chances there are no intake leaks anywhere, including the carb. I may not remember right about the time thing, but it should shut off like you turned off the ing. sw. nice and smooth, no fussing. Or the heck with this, just buy another and save your old one. tt72

 

[MoeJr]

Heidi rebuild your original. The aftermarket QJets have generic jets and rod and are not optimized for your car. Once yours is rebuilt you can optimize it by changing the secondary rods for more WOT fuel flow. I did this on the QJet that is in my 77 Pontiac Grand Prix. It is easy to do. Shoot me an email if ya want more info.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

...you can optimize it by changing the secondary rods for more WOT fuel flow.

There is a CAC member who I believe I will be sending my carb to (out of my state) for rebuilding and we did discuss this very thing, since we have changed to larger heads on my engine.

I don't know why I have such an attachment to my Qjet, I just do. One of the things I like about my Qjet is the great gas mileage if you keep your foot out of it and the response of the engine when you do put your foot into it. My engine is not a numbers matching vette, but I do want to keep everything I have that has matching numbers.

I didn't know what the difference between new, reman and rebuilt was and it appears I can have my own carb rebuilt specifically for my application. That will make me more than happy.
Heidi

 

[MoeJr]

Heidi the QJet is an all around great carb. Alot of people don't like them because they don't understand them or they have rebuilt one and it does not work right.

One thing you need to remember when sending it out to be rebuilt. Have it rebuilt stock then You and hubby can fine tune it. Very rarely do you change the primary jets and rods. Always get your extra fuel by changing the secondary rods. I have an assortment of rods and would be willing to send you a set or 2 to use. All I need is the 2 letter code that is stamped on the side of your stock secondary rods. Good Luck and keep us posted.

:bar

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Heidi,

Get your Q'jet rebuilt and then lets re-curve the distributor. I have done both to mine and want to go looking for a dyno place that will fine-tune this setup.

Bob

 

[78SilvAnniv]

...then lets re-curve the distributor...

:L Funny you should mention that! Kenny has been pointing out distributors to me in the parts catalogs...
Heidi

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I like that MSD. It's not cheap. The Mallory and Accel look pretty sweet for about $100 less.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Rather than rebuild your Quadrajet I would look into getting a new Edelbrock Q-Jet. Somewhere in the postings there is a thread about the Edelbrock unit, but my experience has been that rebuilt carbs seem never to be quite right. Also, where possible I generally prefer new to rebuilt parts.


--Chris Kennedy

 

[MoeJr]

If the person rebuilding the carb knows his stuff it is better to rebuild your existing unit. The Edelbrock QJet is nice but is generic in calibration.