Quadrajet Carb

[engineer_gregh]

Folks where is the best place to buy a fully rebuilt and reliable replacement Quadrajet?

[Grumpy old man]

there were a few in the classified section lately

[7tee]

Google Cliff Ruggles, suppose to be one of the best rebuilders...

[undertaker72]

theres some vendors here on the board that are real good , also some out on the interweb , I built up a old manafre set up years back and a good carb guru that helped me out was larry fulton , from automotion

[geezer#99]

The best I've found.
https://www.smicarburetor.com/

[Moline_Puller]

I found one on ebay...1977, off a Camaro/Corvette...and paid about $40-50 for it. Then, I went through Cliff Ruggles book and rebuilt it myself. It's been running great for a few years now. I think I spent about $250 on all the stuff to rebuild it (I did the bushings in the primaries)...and I enjoyed building it!

[jocko]

If you want to rebuild, definitely invest in cliff's book. Very, very good reference. If want a Rebuilt carb - would go with someone here, or just eBay search it. I have several i always seem to be watching, plenty available.

[davepl]

I've fallen for the fancy replated parts-store units only to have to have them rebuilt right away by someone reputable. Ruggles is reportedly very good but very backed up (like 6 months or something).

[trac209]

If bought one from national carburetor and it has been good. Fired up right out of the box and just needed minor adjustments.

[engineer_gregh]

Thanks everyone, I would prefer to buy one already rebuilt and I'll check out the places suggested.

[Already Gone]

Found this while surfing one day. Looks good to me.

http://thecarbshop.com/

[Steeveedee]

Ken at Everyday Performance has them in stock, even nicely replated-

www.everyday-performance.com

Mark at mark@texasextremeracing.com also rebuilds and does excellent work.

[truckster]

Now would also be a great time to upgrade to an electric choke.

[engineer_gregh]

Update. Bought from National Carb and did get the electric choke upgrade. Worked right out of the box other than I had to adjust the electric choke. Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

[Ronw435]

Got a question for the Quadrajet Pro's. I have been experiencing a flooded condition when stopping after running. I have plugged the ports in the bottom and have verified that they are not leaking by filling the carb with the throttle plate off and letting it sit on cardboard for over an hour and there is no sign of the cardboard getting wet. My main question is on the seat for the needle it looks to have a gasket still there as the color of the seat for the needle is a very dark gray. I have tried several times to "pick" it out but it does not budge. I dont want to gouge anything up by continuing to "dig" at it and cause another problem.. I have read that this will cause a problem if you add another gasket as it will not allow it to seal. Does anyone know if the bottom of the seat area could look dark gray or are the the nice aluminum color? I think I might just try putting the needle seat back in without the gasket, re-set the float and see if that works. I dont want to keep lowing the float to try and alleviate the problem. I have added a fuel pressure regulator and have the pressure set at 3lbs.

Thank God for this forum.
Ron

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Ronw435

Got a question for the Quadrajet Pro's. I have been experiencing a flooded condition when stopping after running. I have plugged the ports in the bottom and have verified that they are not leaking by filling the carb with the throttle plate off and letting it sit on cardboard for over an hour and there is no sign of the cardboard getting wet. My main question is on the seat for the needle it looks to have a gasket still there as the color of the seat for the needle is a very dark gray. I have tried several times to "pick" it out but it does not budge. I dont want to gouge anything up by continuing to "dig" at it and cause another problem.. I have read that this will cause a problem if you add another gasket as it will not allow it to seal. Does anyone know if the bottom of the seat area could look dark gray or are the the nice aluminum color? I think I might just try putting the needle seat back in without the gasket, re-set the float and see if that works. I dont want to keep lowing the float to try and alleviate the problem. I have added a fuel pressure regulator and have the pressure set at 3lbs.

Thank God for this forum.
Ron

You may have a heavy float, if it is composition (likely) instead of brass. This condition comes from soaking up gasoline. There is a maximum weight for the float, but I don't recall what that is. Note that a heavy float usually means you will be running pretty rich all the time, and when you shut the engine off, residual line pressure can push more fuel into the engine.

[Malo83]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

the best i've found.
https://www.smicarburetor.com/

x2

[Coley]

Originally Posted by Ronw435

My main question is on the seat for the needle it looks to have a gasket still there as the color of the seat for the needle is a very dark gray. I have tried several times to "pick" it out but it does not budge. I dont want to gouge anything up by continuing to "dig" at it and cause another problem.. I have read that this will cause a problem if you add another gasket as it will not allow it to seal. Does anyone know if the bottom of the seat area could look dark gray or are the the nice aluminum color? I think I might just try putting the needle seat back in without the gasket, re-set the float and see if that works.

Thank God for this forum.
Ron

Ron it sounds like something is wrong within the carb if you are getting bits of the gasket in the wrong place. Perhaps a poor rebuild? or improper re-assembly? or?
Have you ever disassembled the carb yourself....is so, I would recommend getting a new, correct carb kit (gaskets, etc, etc) for it and give it a whirl.
Personally, I think one of the very best things you can do with any Quadrajet is to remove it from the vehicle and thoroughly, completely clean it with carb cleaner, inside and out and then use compressed air to blow it out from every direction possible.
Simple re-assembly and correct set-up with the new carb kit will get you very close to a nicely operating unit.
I have found that hasty re-assembly or 'screwdriver tuneups' on these carbs is the norm....and they never produce a good running product. Take a little time, be careful, use good practice, follow the set-up instructions...ba-da-bing.
Again....if you have a wrong gasket in there or something...don't hesitate, take that thing apart carefully and start from scratch.
My two bits.
Coley

[Redline novdog]

Any one use Jet performance carbs? My$.02 on letting a carb sit on paper towels is all good ,but different things happen when boiling hot!

[Redline novdog]

Sorry had to add the 4-jet on my 327 I did not epoxy the well plugs (my bad) and after 15-20 min hot soak It's full throttle start !

[Mike C]

I have a JET on the Jimmy. I have been very happy with it. It's been on the truck since the late 90's with no subsuquent rebuilds.

[Ronw435]

Yes I rebuilt it myself. I put a new brass float in. I reset the float again yesterday, and put the metal gasket back in on the seat. Everything was clean inside and first start was fine. Let it set for about an hour went out and hit the key and it fired right up. Maybe it was just a combination of fuel pressure and float set too high. We took a trip towing a 20 foot travel trailer last week. Our trip down without a fuel pressure regulator we got around 8 mpg. After installing the pressure regulator on our return trip we got 11mpg. So I think I am getting there. Our next trip will tell. I did block off the heat tunnel under the carb so now it stays a lot cooler than before. I do believe I was getting boil over when stopping for gas while towing. But the carb was extremely hot, now it stays pretty cool all things considered. Thanks for all the information. Its a great thing to have so many people on here that are willing to help fellow truckers.....

[1972Blaze]

Lars Grimsrud. V8FastCars@msn.com

Lars is well known in the Corvette community. He did the Q-jet for my 72 Blazer. He has written many great articles on carbs and ignition systems that are terrific. Search his name and you will find them. Send him an email and he will respond with details about his process.

Aside from being reasonable from a price standpoint (in my opinion), and having a quick turn around, I liked the fact that he wanted to know what the application was, any mods made to the engine, and he runs everything he builds on a test engine. When complete he reports back specific diagnostic info.

He is worth checking out.

[Coley]

Agreed and ditto on the Lars Grimsrud thing.
I have a pdf of his 'Howto Tune a Q-Jet' article front and center whenever I go to do any carb work....great read and reference.

All good
Coley