I had the stock Q Jet rebuilt last fall by a well known rebuilder. I had the engine tuned in December and the mechanic said the secondaries weren't opening. I had alot on the burner at that time and forgot about it. Last week I had the tranny rebuilt and that mechanic also said the secondaries aren't opening. The linkage looks right, is there any way to test this and any ideas why they aren't opening?

Thanks,

Matt

Matt,

I just had my Q-Jet rebuilt also & I got a crash course on carbs. 

There is a "lock" on the choke side of the carb that prevents the secondaries from opening.  It looks like a round button with a pin going through it. 

If I remember how it was explained to me, the lock will not release the secondaries until the carb is properly warmed up. 

I guess that it is possibile that your's is stuck or not unlocking when the engine is warm.

Good luck,

Anthony

Qjets is not one of my stong areas, but if they are anything like a holley, the secondaries are only designed to open when the engine is under a load.  If your just sitting in the driveway with the car in neutral and rev the engine the secondaries will not open no matter how much you rev the engine.

I'm not sure if they are telling you this based on driving under load or sitting in park.

Also one way we test to see if the secondaries are opening on a holley is to attach a paper clip to the vacuum secondary arm so that it grabs the arm and rests against the secondary housing where the arm enters the housing.  Take it for a spin and the paper clip should slide down the arm.  If not then the secondaries are not opening.  I'm not sure if this is possible on a Qjet as they have a different type of secondary setup.

Matt, send me an address and I will send you a copy of the q-jet article I'm working on.  As soon as the problems get worked out, it will be posted on Ben's site.

I've had this problem since my Q-jet rebuild and have not had time to mess with it. (trailing arms, steroids, etc)

But, I would like to know what to do about it too. The vette should be back on the road this spring and I would like to have the secondaries working correctly.

Thanks,

There is a lever on the base of Q-jet that is moved as the choke opens up allowing the secondaries to open.On all my Q-jets I do I remove that lock, it's simple it's only on a screw with a shoulder so it pivots, remove the screw and get rid of it!. My Q-jet rebuild tool box top drawer has many in it.

   Dave

There is a lever on the base of Q-jet that is moved as the choke opens up allowing the secondaries to open.On all my Q-jets I do I remove that lock, it's simple it's only on a screw with a shoulder so it pivots, remove the screw and get rid of it!. My Q-jet rebuild tool box top drawer has many in it.

   Dave

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Thanks, but I'm not sure where you mean. (drivers side or passenger). Can you give a better discription? Thanks again.

On the passenger side,at the choke assembly.In the middle of the assembly is a screw that that holds it on the carb, on the lower left side of the choke assembly is the lock-out lever. On the secondaries is a round pin about 1in long this lever is next to it. Loosen the choke assembly screw don't take it all the way out and wiggle the lever off, pull it out and down,make sure your choke assembly is lined up and retighten the screw.

Dave

Thanks Guys! I looked and found the lever you're talking about. I can't wait to get it off and take it for a spin! Of course I have the entire front suspension off right now, so it might be a week or so.

Thanks,

Matt