Anyone Restore a Rochester 4MV Q-Jet Carb

[tcb-1]

anyone completely rebuild/restore a Rochester 4MV Q-Jet? I picked up a build-code-correct Q-Jet for my '69 350. wondering what rebuild kits are the best, if anyone has repainted the exterior, etc. any tips or tricks?

planning on a complete factory correct facelift for under the hood this fall and the Edelbrock 1406 in lusterchrome HAS TO GO!

mods please move this if out of place.

thanks gang!!!

[oldgold70c10]

I had Cliff Ruggles at Cliff's Performance in Ohio restore some carb parts for me. It was amazing what he can do.

[BLAZERMAN]

Try Jeff..Chipflyer, I heard he does a great job on those carbs.

[suville]

Doug, I am very happy with the carb that SMI set up for me. If you want to forgo all the trial and error I would strongly recommend Sean, at SMI. I will definitely have the Q-jet for the BBC(Cad 507) built there. As was referenced above Cliff is without a doubt at the top on Q-jets also ! And I'm certain there are many others. The Q-jet is without a doubt a very fine carb, BUT it needs to be set up for your particular app.The reason they have a bad rep is jamokes that dont know them!

[tcb-1]

thanks gang. just got finished watching 30 minutes of q-jet rebuild videos on youtube. looks pretty straightforward. I've rebuilt bike carbs for years and even a few Holley 4 bbls, but I've never cracked open a q-jet.

[oldgold70c10]

Do you have a 67-72 chassis overhaul manual? If you do, follow the instructions there, take your time, and make sure everything is nice and clean before you start re-assembly and you should have no trouble. Unless the carb you are using is totally trashed you shouldn't have trouble.

[beebster]

If you are cheap like me. YOu'lll watch all the youtube qjet videos you can.
After taking the carb apart, spray it with brake cleaner or carb cleaner.Make sure you don't bend or mess with the float other than removing it.
With a little bit of gas in the disassembled carb, push down on the accelerator pump, you will see fuel shoot out of two (2) holes. Take a small drill bit and rotate it clock and counter clockwise in those two holes gently (clear em out) and make sure the gasket sits "under" the piston assembly.(explained in most vids)
Honestly, it took me about 10 times to get it right, but that was before youtube about 25 yrs ago ( i was 19). When i finally did get it right, the satisfaction of doing it myself was worth more than words can say. The great part about learning how to do it yourself is the vast number of people who call qjets (quadrajunk) and are so fed-up with them that they'd give em away!
Better for me, cause i can buy a used quadrajet off craigslist for 20 bucks all day long!
My last purchase ( ive got 7 or 8 qjets sitting in my toolroom downstairs) was some guy on craigslist getting rid of his "quadrajunk" cause he wanted a 500 dollar barry grant carb. It happened to be off a 79 corvette, so i got a rebuild kit at napa for 18 bucks and that thing runs like brand new. 350-500 bux saved!
A well tuned q-jet will run good on gas and give you the power you need up to around 450 hp. Above 450 hp, i'd look into the barry grants and the demon carbs. Any advice you need just send me a message.
my 02.

[72gmcshorty]

There was an episode of Musclecar where they rebuilt one.

[cdowns]

if you want a good finish eastwood company has carb cad plating spray that works pretty good. one of the few products from them that i'll recomend using

[68gmsee]

My recommendation is to buy an old one at a junkyard or wherever you can locate one to practice on. They are all going to be a little different but it will give you a feel for them and if you screw it up, you won't lose much. I found one from a local junked truck and got it for $20. It turned out to be a pretty decent one and I took it apart to bare bones and cleaned it with some stuff that I got at Auto Zone.

And here's my warning...

This stuff worked, but it was the stinkiest crap I've ever had in my garage. My wife insisted I get rid of it. I even burned it in a wood pile out in the country and you could still smell it in the area for weeks afterwards.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

I rebuild & run them all the time. Eastwood has a bronze carb paint that looks great on the air horn & fuel bowl. You can use a cast coat aluminum paint on the throtle body. They look beautiful.

[tcb-1]

wrenchbender, hey neighbor! yes, I looked through my Eastwood catalog and found the "Carb Renew". seems like many folk have used it wih good results.

got my Ebay carb today. looks fairly clean, but will need a good going over. all of the linkages are there, the vacuum cannister is toast, and the butterfly spindles are tight.

[doctrouble]

Found this guy rebuilding a q-jet.... very awesome. I keep forgetting youtube can very helpful to how things work

Rochester Quadrajet Assembly Part 1 - YouTube

[1GT1]

Tcb1 , I just rebuilt one using those same videos, very helpful. The only thing to check is the shaft play for the blades, especially the primary shaft. If it has play let a pro. rebuild it for you.
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[slikside]

Originally Posted by oldgold70c10

I had Cliff Ruggles at Cliff's Performance in Ohio restore some carb parts for me. It was amazing what he can do.

I used Cliff's book, and his primary throttle shaft rebushing service, as well as his rebuild kit. I could not be happier. Just take your time... Haste will murder you in this project.

I've had my truck for 29years, and I did this last November...it has never run better!!

I fully recommend Cliff and his products/services!

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

wrenchbender, hey neighbor! yes, I looked through my Eastwood catalog and found the "Carb Renew". seems like many folk have used it wih good results.

got my Ebay carb today. looks fairly clean, but will need a good going over. all of the linkages are there, the vacuum cannister is toast, and the butterfly spindles are tight.

This thread is pretty old but if you need any help let me know. I have some parts carbs laying around.