Carburetor and intake replacement?

[Nickelcharlie]

I have an 86 GMC with the original carb that is in need of rebuilding and I am thinking now would be the time to replace the cab and intake. Maybe replace with a Edelbrock carb and intake. If you have done this and are happy with the results I would like to hear what size carb did you use and the intake? Looking to keep it in the stock range! Thanks

[mikebte]

I have done this with a 500CFM Edelbrock carb and intake and I have also changed intake and ran a reman Q jet. Personally I would run a proper Q jet again as I had good luck with it.
Edelbrock was good, but imho the Q jet did great.
You could also..... Stop, I’m getting side tracked. I have an opinion for fuel injection if your open to the idea.

[Nickelcharlie]

Thank you mikebte for your response. I would like to hear your opinion fuel injection. I have looked for a 87-88 donor Suburban just haven't come across one in my price range!

[Dead Parrot]

Replaced mine with a Performer and Eddy 1405. This was before there was such rich resources as this and other forums. Current thinking seems to favor the Performer RPM even for mostly stock applications. Mine is working fine 20+ years later.

If your Qjet is leak free, might be worth a rebuild attempt.

[Matt Man]

I would throw a edelbrock performer intake and rebuild the quadrajet. My 81 has the performer intake and a 4bbl quadrajet non electric version.

[RedBed]

Holley sells refurbs on Ebay. I got a nice 600 CHEAP a while back.

Paired it with an Edelbrock Performer intake from Jegs. Very happy with the new setup.

[tucsonjwt]

I have owned 3 old carbureted squares and have installed both new Carter (when they were still a stand alone company) and Edelbrock carburetors, as well as rebuilt qjets. Both the Carter and Edelbrock carbs had bad parts which caused them to malfunction. The rebuilt qjets did not have that problem. I think a good brand rebuilt (not the parts stores ones) are the best option.

I would prefer fuel injection but the major mods to the truck are not worth the time and $$$ in my opinion. For fuel economy and function, I think an 88 and up truck is just a better truck in this regard. If I get another old truck it will be fuel injected, but as little as I drive my 83 it will likely last me until I die.

[mikebte]

Originally Posted by Nickelcharlie

Thank you mikebte for your response. I would like to hear your opinion fuel injection. I have looked for a 87-88 donor Suburban just haven't come across one in my price range!

Price is usually a big player in Fuel injection. I have installed TBI on a few square bodies and had real good luck with TBI. I just installed it on a 283 with good results.
For the price, a properly turned Q-jet is hard to beat. That is one of the carbs that was just super nice when working correctly and cheap to maintain.

[Nickelcharlie]

Thanks for all the great replies! It's getting harder and harder to find a good mechanic that can rebuild carburetors. Any recommendation in the DFW area of a reputable mechanic that can rebuild a Qjet. I checked with Summit, the rebuilt Qjets are near 4 hundred dollars. Thanks again!

[geezer#99]

Don’t balk at the 400 buck price tag.
An eddy carb will run you 300 bucks or more.
Plus the not included required parts.
100 buck fuel reg and 40 buck heat spacer.
Not to mention the possible need for fuel lines and linkage mounts.

These guys have cheaper rebuilt quadrajets.
http://www.nationalcarburetors.com/

[Bandit130]

Originally Posted by Nickelcharlie

Thanks for all the great replies! It's getting harder and harder to find a good mechanic that can rebuild carburetors. Any recommendation in the DFW area of a reputable mechanic that can rebuild a Qjet. I checked with Summit, the rebuilt Qjets are near 4 hundred dollars. Thanks again!

This is where I took my quadrajet in July 2017 to be rebuilt. So far, no known problems since. They also rebuild other carbs.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/categ...8538126491424/

[Dead Parrot]

Not exactly DFW area but an option if the closer one doesn't work out
http://carburetorshopok.com/

They have been around a while.

[rikoshea83]

Originally Posted by Nickelcharlie

I have an 86 GMC with the original carb that is in need of rebuilding and I am thinking now would be the time to replace the cab and intake. Maybe replace with a Edelbrock carb and intake. If you have done this and are happy with the results I would like to hear what size carb did you use and the intake? Looking to keep it in the stock range! Thanks

Not sure of all the details at this point, but will be replacing my 305 motor in the next week or so and have an Edelbrock carb that I will not be reusing. I can find out exactly what it is, but don't know off the top of my head.