What's your carburetor preference for the 350?

[c10boob]

I was told to get rid of the Holley my truck came with and replace it with an Edelbrock.

What's your make and model preference for the 350 and why?

[69Beauty]

So are you asking what model edelbrock or what model carb in general? you may want to list some engine specs as well. I.E. stock or rebuilt and what gears trans and usage etc.

[c10boob]

Sorry, didn't even think of that. Just got the truck not too long ago and don't know a lot of the history. It appears rebuilt at one time and has the TH350 transmission.

I'm looking for a 4 barrel carb.

I don't care if it's Holley or Edelbrock, I'm just wondering what the experienced people prefer (make and model of carb) so I have a place to start when buying a new one.

A simple way I could have asked this: What's a good 4 barrel carb? What should I stay away from?

[Stocker]

I prefer a Quadrajet. Why? Well, it came on the truck and after a couple rebuilds (in the 35 years I have owned it), it still works great. Being a 4x4, I sometimes get the truck at odd angles you probably wouldn't experience with a 2wd truck.... and it still works great.

[jocko]

i agree - big q-jet fan. reliable carb, and on the cars I've had them on, it's packs a decent punch when you open the gigantoid secondaries. Can almost feel the money running from my wallet...

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by jocko

it's packs a decent punch when you open the gigantoid secondaries. Can almost feel the money running from my wallet...

Yup, like flushing a gasoline toilet!!

[Hubscrub]

First off if it runs good leave it alone is the way I think. After saying that I run edelbrocks and q jets i prefer a q jet
Posted via Mobile Device

[Square_78]

I have an edelbrock 1406 and I hate it. Cold starts suck and the elec choke never seems to work properly. I want to switch back to a q-jet.
Posted via Mobile Device

[c10boob]

After reading these replies and searching ebay for the past hour I'm thinking of either attempting a rebuild of the 4 barrel Holley it currently has or getting a q-jet.

Are q-jets really that much better? And do Holley carbs really suck as much as I was told?

[BrutonLS1]

Originally Posted by Square_78

I have an edelbrock 1406 and I hate it. Cold starts suck and the elec choke never seems to work properly. I want to switch back to a q-jet.
Posted via Mobile Device

AGREED. I had 2 1406s, the first one the choke never seemed to work, and the second one the secondaries linkage fell off and there was no way to replace it

I got a Holley after that and I really liked, it seemed like it gave me a little more torque too?! Now I've got an LS1 with an edelbrock Thunder Series 1805, has been good to me SO FAR. I guess we'll see.
But yeah I'd stay away from the Edelbrock 1406s

[slikside]

I don't have experience with any carbs other than a q-jet. I rebuilt mine a couple years ago with much success, and I couldn't be happier.

If you go looking for one, the later ones are better...think..from 1976 on. There is a julian date stamped onto the main body.

Get Cliff Ruggles book if you want to do it yourself. He will send you all the parts as well. Or, he will do it all for you for about twice as much.

These carbs have gotten a bad rap over the years, mainly because a lot of people (including some mechanics) don't really know how to tune them properly. When properly rebuilt, and tuned, you would be hard pressed to find a better, more durable carb than the q-jet....IMHO.

[Hubscrub]

^ totally agree I'm reading one of cliffs books on q jets as far as edelbrocks I've never had much issue except hot start issues. I will add I rebuild an old 1406 for my wife's 67 adjusted to edelbrocks specs per instructions runs better than any new one ive had. Not start issues period.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Leftlane]

A "properly" tuned qj is amazingly reliable, and you get to determine how much fun you have (money you spend) by opening those two black holes for fuel.
Just need to watch the shaft bores.
I have run several 1406's, and you need to take time to set them up (just like any other).
I've bought several for near nothing off CL, followed the tuning procedure; and ended up with decent carbs. They require a fairly narrow fuel pressure range, and aren't very forgiving if your too high.
My electric chokes worked great, but that may have been luck as I know a lot of others have had problems with them.
Posted via Mobile Device

[MARKDTN]

A proper Q-jet is very hard to beat. My second choice would be a Holley 600 vac secondaries. My last choice would be Edelbrock. Have never had any luck tuning them.

[1972RedNeck]

I like all 3. I have never used any of them with an automatic/electric choke (the first thing I do to a vehicle is convert it to manual choke). The Edelbrock is the simplest, but the Holley and Q-jet aren't exactly complicated. The Holley's have always seemed to have a smidgen better throttle response.

[69GWC]

Not sure who told you Holleys suck all I can say is they must have no idea on how to tune one.
I have allways run Holleys and really never had any problems with them. IMO its a very good carb.
I havea Street Avenger 670 on mine right now and it work great O problems from it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[DevilDog Aggie]

I prefer my Quadrajet! Of course I am biased since it is the first one I have ever rebuilt from scratch on my own. Complete tear down and rebuild, new internals etc....

[steelhorse]

A lot of people will tell you one brand or another sucks because they either buy to large a carb or just don't know how to tune one. If you have a 600 or 650 cfm holley you should be fine as long as the carb isn't just plain worn out.

[truckster]

I just pulled the Edelbrock off my Blazer and put a Quadrajet on it. I couldn't be happier about it.

[SnS C10]

Qjet. I have a 72 gmc c10. Stock 350. Super comp headers, performer intake. 3 speed saginaw. In first and second if I take off easy with the primaries and then drop the hammer and open the softball sized secondaries I will break the rear end loose everytime. Nothin like qjet secondaries, oh and the price u pay for gas to open them up is well worth it!
Posted via Mobile Device

[67chevemall]

I tossed my Edel1406 for a Holley street avanger and love it. Worked great out of the box, with a small tune it runs mint now.

[Coley]

Carb preference?......well, how about one that is in top condition of assembly and tune and properly sized for the motor...whether its a Holley, Qjet or Edelbrock.
Now, that said I'm a big fan of the Quadrajets. This is a very good carb but you need to make sure you understand it and how to set it up.
I would recommend you buy a spare/cheap one at a swap meet as an 'assemble, test and learn' carb. Then a good book on them (and there are several) and read up and then use some fun free shop time to learn how things work...pretty interesting stuff and really not that complicated.
You'll be very happy with the results.
Good Luck
Coley

[Sicklajoie]

I have a Holley 670 Street Avenger and am happy with it.

[71K20chevy]

Q-Jets are great! Had mine rebuilt and it starts amazingly easy in the cold.

[GMCJOE]

I like q-jet, edelbrock, and holley. The 1406 edelbrock in my opinion is junk, it's there problem child. Never had a problem with any of the other Edelbrocks. All three brands run pretty well in my opinion, edelbrock is supposed to be the easiest to run straight out of the box for those that aren't very well at tuning carbs. With all carb's you have to choose according to your engine and performance upgrades of it.

What's wrong with the Holley you are running right now? If it isn't running properly, I would suggest just rebuilding it and tuning it properly.