Would You Replace The Edelbrock

[DANL]

Hey members, the exhaust on my 72K5, with a 350 four speed, always smells as if it is running rich. The mechanic tells me the Edelbrock needs rebuilding even though it is only four years old with 10K miles. Therefore I am thinking about replacing it with a quadrajet. Any thoughts, pros, cons or recommendations on where to buy would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

...Dan

['68OrangeSunshine]

A rebuild kit will only cost you about a tenth of what a new carb will run. Carter AFBs [and their Edelbrock "performer" clones] are easy to rebuild. You don't even have to dismount the fuel bowl to replace gaskets, inspect floats etc.
Some people swear by the Q-jet. I'm not one of them. No bias, but limited experience. I have run Holleys -- a 390 CFM on my previous 292 and a 780 CFM double pumper on the 454 -- good carbs when they ran right, but tuning was an expert's domain. One wrong move and sproing. Then the power valves... Forget it.
I like the AFB design for its simplicity.

[Blue4x4]

With the fuel nowadays, if you let your rig sit awhile, it will gum up. I have used the edelbrock 1406 on 3 trucks and found it to gum up easily. Best of luck.

[special-K]

It`s the fuel,not the carb to blame.

[jcfoote60]

Have you tried running any fuel additives/carb cleaner products through it? I personally like the old Q-jet thump of the large secondaries when you mash it to the floor and it knocks you back in the seat, it's a personal preference really, buying a new Q-jet is spendy and like others have said the AFB is a simple as it gets and a very dependable design. Keep in mind the design was created when there was REAL fuel available with lead additives and what not. Good luck.

[blazerparts]

1406's on mine too and both seem to run rich. Going to see about re-jetting for this altitude. Some people (and Edlebrock) say fuel pressure shouldn't exceed 5 psi.

[badchev69]

I had simmilar probloms on my K5, This happened shortly after putting in a high duration 4x4 cam... I fixed my problom by putting in stronger metering rod springs to compensate for the loss of vacume. With the new cam pulling less vacume the metering rods were staying open causing an always rich condition.

Since then i have put a demon carb on because im much more familiar with the holley/demon setups. hope u figure it out too..

[MACO]

My truck came with a Edelbrock 1406 carb and also ran very rich and blowing black smoke, the kind of exhaust that would make your eyes water when walking by the tailpipe. I rejetted leaner by changing the jets and metering rods and the smell is much less and the truck runs great. I have been meaning to check my exhaust emission on the gas anilizer at work to get a idea as to where my jetting is, I figure these older engine should run about 2-3% CO. Jetting leaner did not help my fuel mileage much, but I can say the Edelbrock carb has been a reliable unit for daily driving.

[vtblazer]

Had the same issue with most of the Edelbrocks I've run also...

I like the design but not the Edelbrock's, I find old Carter AFB's, rebuild them and never look back. Always happy with the results.

I've had some Holley's and Q-jets run great also though...

[DANL]

Hey everybody thanks for the feedback as it appears I am not the only one with this problem. I actually have not driven my K5 in two years, but the exhaust smelled rich when the Edelbrock was new. It also would make my eyes water. Thanks again and I will keep you in the solution loop.

...Dan

[LUV2XCLR8]

Holley here, my first one ever owned, seems to do fine

['68OrangeSunshine]

If you're not running your blazer that much, there's this stuff you can add to your gas to keep it from turning to varnish in the tank or jerry can for one year. It's called Sta-Bil. Runs about $10 for a large bottle [24~28 Oz] but you only need 2 Oz per 5 Gallons. For a 20 Gallon tank, that's 8 Oz. I keep spare gas in several jerry cans and spike them all with this stuff. When I add a can of real old gas, it's always better to top it off with another 5 Gallons of fresh gas. But I use it to buy cheap and hoard so I won't be as dependant on the pump pirates.

[DANL]

I have not driven it in two years but hope to start driving it soon. I have not used any fuel additives or carb cleaner. Sounds like good advice and will try to remember if I plan not to drive it for a while.

I have decided to get a Rochester Quadrajet but not certain which one is correct for a 72 K5 350 four speed. Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

...Dan

[70rs/ss]

Originally Posted by blazerparts

1406's on mine too and both seem to run rich. Going to see about re-jetting for this altitude. Some people (and Edlebrock) say fuel pressure shouldn't exceed 5 psi.

Bro,

With elevation you HAVE to lean em out. I called the Edelbrock help line and the guy turned me on to the right jet and rod size for my elevation. I am at 5,000 ft and the jet size is like 5-6 smaller than stock, so elevation is more likely if you are above sealevel. I own many carb'd cars so I am considering the purchase of sniffer tool that shows the fuel to air ratio in the exhaust (the only way to tune a carb by the way without guessing) It has a probe much like an O2 sensor that collects the ratios and displays them in real time so you can tune idle as well as under load aka driving at part and wot. It is not too spendy, like $200 and if you own a carb or multiple it is worth the money to tune for perf and fuel econ.

[Jason915]

For my altitude I tuned my power/cruse and secondary 8% leaner and it runs well but my altitude is 6200# (Colorado Springs)

[70rs/ss]

Originally Posted by Jason915

For my altitude I tuned my power/cruse and secondary 8% leaner and it runs well but my altitude is 6200# (Colorado Springs)

The jet and rod size I was given came with the claimer that this is a starting point only. This is why I planning the purchase of the tuner (I read about it in Carcraft about 6-8 months ago and it seemed slick!) Read your plugs, if they are black lean it out if that nice brownish tinge then it is A-OK.

[gmc71]

***Editted by moderator*** If you want to buy something do it on the Parts Board***

Originally Posted by DANL

I have not driven it in two years but hope to start driving it soon. I have not used any fuel additives or carb cleaner. Sounds like good advice and will try to remember if I plan not to drive it for a while.

I have decided to get a Rochester Quadrajet but not certain which one is correct for a 72 K5 350 four speed. Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

...Dan