Topic: Quadrajet replacement options?
in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
How come YOU live so far away? 
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Former Member
Send PM
Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
Adam...don't worry about the Edelbrock carb...it is an excellent carburetor. Depending on other things...like the cam specs in your engine, there's a possibility any carb might need re-jetting to match it. I had that happen in the '78 L82 I used to own...I put on an Edelbrock Performer intake with the stock Q-jet which had been rebuilt to stock specs. It turned out that some previous owner had installed a different cam and the car wouldn't idle well at all. The carb was re-jetted the carb and no more problems.
If you have a stock engine with no other changes, the 1406 should work well as-is with no problems.
The Q-jet is really an excellent carb, but they really do have to be set up by someone who understands them (and I'm not of them!). Also...outside of the discontinued Edelbrock Q-jets, they've been out of production for quite some time and can only be rebuilt so many times before they're simply worn out. Finding good cores for a Q-jet is problematic no matter how many speed catalogs list them from rebuilders...the Q-jet was used in so many applications and versions it's difficult to find on that will bolt on and go without being set-up for that particular car. At that point, it's generally easier to simply buy a new carburetor.
Lifetime MemberC3VR Founder
Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 18378
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
My engine is not stock. It is a GM Crate Motor...350.
-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry
My first Vette, now owned by JB79:
Adam just dop the car off here in New Jersey and let me at it I'll show you how to make a Q- jet work.I play all year with them at the marinia and I had some really bad ones.I have a machine shop at my disposal so I can rebore and sleave the throttle rods Let me know and give me a call...Bill
Power Block TV this weekend shows how to rebuild a Q-jet.
http://www.powerblocktv.com/site3/
http://www.powerblocktv.com/site3/
(click to see a larger image)
"It Takes A Little Longer To Do It Right"
"It Takes A Lot Longer To Do It Again"
Lifetime MemberHot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
[QUOTE=Adam Wartell]
[QUOTE=JC VETTE 70]When I purchased my car it had a edelbrock on it with a performer intake, it always ran rich,rebuilt once and still ran rich. I have a old school mechanic that works on my car, that has been in the business for years, told me to get rid of that junk and purchase a new Q-jet that originally came with the car. I ordered a new 750cfm from jet performance, once it was installed i could not believe the difference. 
He had always worked with these carbs and told me if they are properly tweeked, they are very good carbs.
I think it all comes down to is how all these carbs are set, you really need to know what you are doing.[/QUOTE]
[/QUOTE]
He had always worked with these carbs and told me if they are properly tweeked, they are very good carbs.
I think it all comes down to is how all these carbs are set, you really need to know what you are doing.[/QUOTE]
NOW you tell me! 
Well, too late. Stuff will be here tomorrow. Maybe start the install this weekend. 
anecdotally you can always find someone who had better luck with something. Qjet has a pretty bad rep. Also.. I dont know why but I think their CFM is overrated.
From my days adt working at a speed shop I can tell the the number one cause of carbs not running right, runnign rich, stumbling off idle etc is that people bought carbs WAY TOO BIG for their engine. A 750 CFM carb is just right for a well tuned 427. It is way too big for a mild mannered 350.
Lifetime MemberHot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
[QUOTE=Adam Wartell]Yeah, how come none of you wrenches live close by!? [/QUOTE]
it is not our fault you dont have the good sense to live in God's country!
Lifetime MemberC3VR Founder
Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 18378
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
[QUOTE=Per4mance]Adam just dop the car off here in New Jersey and let me at it I'll show you how to make a Q- jet work.I play all year with them at the marinia and I had some really bad ones.I have a machine shop at my disposal so I can rebore and sleave the throttle rods Let me know and give me a call...Bill [/QUOTE]
Well, I won't have a q-jet for you to tune, but I may take you up on the offer to tune my new edelbrock setup, if you have the knowledge, time and are willing. 
Of course, that is if I can get it running enough to bring it to you.
-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry
My first Vette, now owned by JB79:
Adam, Bring all your parts and I'll do the whole job for you and save you the headaches and it will be done right no short cuts you will be more than happy....Bill
Lifetime MemberC3VR Founder
Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 18378
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
[QUOTE=Per4mance]Adam, Bring all your parts and I'll do the whole job for you and save you the headaches and it will be done right no short cuts you will be more than happy....Bill [/QUOTE]
I appreciate the offer but you're about 2 hours away. Think I might still tackle it myself.
Thanks.
-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry
My first Vette, now owned by JB79:
in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)