Carter AFB to Q-Jet Help

[The_Lew_USA]

My current setup is a Carter AFB 33109635sa with electric choke. The current manifold is stamped 14057055GM 17 D. I would like to change out my Carter for a Quadrajet but not sure which model and what additional mods necessary to make it fit. Would I need a new manifold? I think my current setup has a spacer or something connecting the Carter to the manifold. I’d have to remove it again to check. I received an email from National Carburetors and their sales guy suggested a Quadrajet ND4478 might be best option but would need to modify linkages and wiring etc. is there an easier option?
I am running an 83 Jimmy 4x4 with a 350 engine.

 

[cheavyk10]

It sure looks like you have a square bore to spread bore adapter on there.
If that's the case it should be a pretty easy R&R deal.
Throttle linkage, choke wire, and vac ports should swap right over, with little to no modification.

 

[JohnNoble]

I agree, it does appear that removing the adapter that's already there will allow you to bolt on a Q-jet. Why are you wanting to change? Is that a Carter AFB 500 and you need a bigger carb?

 

[The_Lew_USA]

It sure looks like you have a square bore to spread bore adapter on there.
If that's the case it should be a pretty easy R&R deal.
Throttle linkage, choke wire, and vac ports should swap right over, with little to no modification.

That would be good. I’ll have to remove the old carb to confirm it’s an adapter. Do you know if the Quadrajet ND4478 would be the right model to order?

I agree, it does appear that removing the adapter that's already there will allow you to bolt on a Q-jet. Why are you wanting to change? Is that a Carter AFB 500 and you need a bigger carb?

not sure but I think the Carter is a 600 or 625. I tore it down and rebuilt it a few months ago. It runs and just needs some fine tuning to get the mixture better. I’ve been told by a few guys that the Carter AFB were not good carbs and I was wanting to get something better for long term. Not going crazy with mods so figured I didn’t need a Holley. Will be driving it a lot more next spring so wanted to have a reliable setup.

 

[Wes Harden]

I looked at the National carb site, and I see some things about that nd4478 that make a little skeptical about quality.
take a look at this site and these carbs, which will work for your 83 350, https://quadrajetpower.com/chevrolet-1980-quadrajet-17080207/

See how the bowl housing and air horn are goldish in color, that is a coating GM put on there to help stop corrosion and keep passages clear. Now ND carb is cast metal color, which mean they have cleaned off all the coating. GM didn't spend all that money to a carb because it Looks Good, they did for a reason.
Throwing a disassembled carb in vibrating bead wash is a short cut, a bad one, now what other short cuts did they take.
I realize that the carb I posted is 2x as much as the ND and you gotta do what what you can afford. If you can get the better built carb.

Your current manifold is a spread bore, you would only have to undo the mods to install the carter to go back to a quradrajet

 

[The_Lew_USA]

I looked at the National carb site, and I see some things about that nd4478 that make a little skeptical about quality.
take a look at this site and these carbs, which will work for your 83 350, https://quadrajetpower.com/chevrolet-1980-quadrajet-17080207/

See how the bowl housing and air horn are goldish in color, that is a coating GM put on there to help stop corrosion and keep passages clear. Now ND carb is cast metal color, which mean they have cleaned off all the coating. GM didn't spend all that money to a carb because it Looks Good, they did for a reason.
Throwing a disassembled carb in vibrating bead wash is a short cut, a bad one, now what other short cuts did they take.
I realize that the carb I posted is 2x as much as the ND and you gotta do what what you can afford. If you can get the better built carb.

Your current manifold is a spread bore, you would only have to undo the mods to install the carter to go back to a quradrajet

Looking at the carb options on that link trying to determine if I need computer controlled or not. My current carb has an electric choke but im not sure if the 83 Jimmy used a computer controlled carb.

 

[6872xtc]

I don't believe that you would need nor want a computer controlled carburetor.

If you aren't having many issues with what you have, I would do some tuning and keep it. I have used several Edelbrock carbs, which are pretty identical, and I have had pretty good results with them. Yes, the Q-jet will handle more angle than the Carter, mainly side hill, but if you are having decent results, why change based on what someone said about their perspective of a certain carburetor?

I have a Q-jet on my big block truck that was built and modified by a shop that is out of business. It is still factory coated as Wes was talking about.