I recently had my QJ replaced and since then I've had nothing but problems. The shop that did the work insists it's related to the fact that the engine is 27 years old. I'm not saying there aren't signs that some of the problems may be due to age, but here's what's going on now.

Cold starting is really tough. Once it catches, I have to keep my foot on the gas to keep it from stalling. Holding it at about 1100. If I take my foot off, it drops to about 700 and stalls. So I'm thinking the choke isn't kicking in.

The new QJ has an electric choke while the one that was on there was mechanical. So I took it back to the shop and they said they adjusted the choke and the mixture.

Now the same thing happens on a cold start. The only difference is that where before once it warmed up it would idle about 700-800. Now when it warms up it's about 1100-1200. Almost reverse of what it should be.

Oh, one more thing. When it's cold and I step on the gas it can sputter and gas will spit up through the top. They said that is a sign that the cam is worn.

Anyone have any ideas here as to what's going on?

I have a 1977 4 speed, which was not driven much over the last ten years. When I acquired it this year, we inspected and cleaned the carb and re-set the idle speed. The idle is in the 1100-1300 range at cold start. It gradually backs down to about 850-900. Coming to a stop when after warm up, it slowly finds its way back to the 850-900 range. I suspect this isn't optimum, but the car drives fine (except for an annoying rattle the subject of a posting a week ago). As for the cold starts, it is driven once a week, and the first attempt after pumping the accelerator usually does not fire, but the second attempt with almost no pressure on the accelerator always starts it. I also have to keep pumping the accelerator for about 30 seconds for the fast idle to completely take hold. Again, not optimal, but the car is 26.5 years old. I am no expert on carbs, but I did help my friend with a dual set-up on his 57 Corvette rebuild one of his, and by using the complete rebuild kit, and following the instructions to the letter, we were able to improve the performance.

Wow!!!

I'm sorry to say but it sounds like this shop is really a bunch of hacks!!!

To blame the problems on a 27 year old engine when the problems are OBVIOUSLY related to carbuerator adjustments is unbelievably irresponsible!!

At the very worst, your engine should perform the same as it did before the rebuild. And the idea that the cam is causing gas to spit up is unbelievably ludicrous!

I'm a Holley man myself but I do know that the discussion on this site is right on when they say that a Quadrajet is a good carb that MUST be rebuilt by someone who is a Quad expert. Not only do these guys not sound like Quad experts, but they seem like they are awfully quick to pass blame for a problem that they should be embaressed about as a carb shop and bending over backwards to fix!! Idle and choke problems are pretty elementary.

I'd consider cutting my losses with these guys and start looking for someone else. I'd also be looking to get some money back on the rebuild since they obviously couldn't deliver.

Best of luck!!

ricknhis69 said: Wow!!! I'm sorry to say but it sounds like this shop is really a bunch of hacks!!! To blame the problems on a 27 year old engine when the problems are OBVIOUSLY related to carburetor adjustments is unbelievably irresponsible!! At the very worst, your engine should perform the same as it did before the rebuild. And the idea that the cam is causing gas to spit up is unbelievably ludicrous! I'm a Holley man myself but I do know that the discussion on this site is right on when they say that a Quadrajet is a good carb that MUST be rebuilt by someone who is a Quad expert. Not only do these guys not sound like Quad experts, but they seem like they are awfully quick to pass blame for a problem that they should be embaressed about as a carb shop and bending over backwards to fix!! Idle and choke problems are pretty elementary. I'd consider cutting my losses with these guys and start looking for someone else. I'd also be looking to get some money back on the rebuild since they obviously couldn't deliver. Best of luck!!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!! I've been thinking the same thing but not being a "carb expert" I wanted to get some verification on this.

I've already decided that come spring time (car is put away for the winter) that I will take the car to another shop. I'm thinking that once I get a place to fix it, then I can confront the original place with this - and the bill!

Find someone that has had his Q-jet done right and use the same shop. Q-jets are not for every mechanic to fool with. Done right, it's a good carb.

Eric,

I'm going to try these guys who say they do a bench test and an engine test (and a fine tune) on the unit before shipping it back. I'll let you know how I make out.

http://www.guaranteedcarbs.com/html/testing___warranty.html

Good luck with yours.

Kevin

Corvettekev said: Eric, I'm going to try these guys who say they do a bench test and an engine test (and a fine tune) on the unit before shipping it back. I'll let you know how I make out.

Thanks, kev! I'll be eager to hear. If it works out for you that might be a good way to go for me.

Hey Eric, was there a reason to go to a new carb. The new quads today have totally different vac setting and I don't think that you will ever get to a perfect performance that you were use to. If you can have the old one rebuilt I would suggest to do that. The metering rods in the new to old are now different and that will make a difference. Also by the sounds of it you could be now having a vac problem. Just because a carbs new doesn't mean that it good. Going to a electric choke is a better idea unless you want to keep it original. More than likely the choke is not closing down enough at startup. Or the vac is not pulling back the plate enough at start up. I would definately try to keep the original if at all possible. If the cams the problem you would be not getting a constant timing due to the lobes being worn. That can be easily check out. Theres my 2 cents if it helps. Also the original carbs are getting harder to find and buy in good shape so keep yours if you can.

vettman said: Hey Eric, was there a reason to go to a new carb. .... the original carbs are getting harder to find and buy in good shape so keep yours if you can.

Well, therein lies the reason why getting someone else to do the work is not always the best choice! The original carb had stopped functioning from sitting for 16 years without running. Now, as for why they removed the old and and went with another one, I can't tell you. Maybe the old one was too far gone?

So that's how I ended up with what I have. As for the choke issue, yes, the plate is not getting fully closed. This was supposed to have been adjusted a 2nd time but still not working correctly.

Originally the car DID have a vacuum choke which they switched to an electric. Why do you say the electric is better?