GEN 1 SMALLBLOCK QUESTIONS

[dyeager535]

Actually I believe it's the opposite. Forged pistons expand more than hypers (and cast) thus run "loose" when cold which is where the noise and wear comes from, but once warmed up expansion gets them closer to bore diameter.

Forged is stronger, I'm unaware of any benefit other than strength.

 

[wallerus]

#1. Build it like you're going to run it and build a second super engine while you drive it.
2. Break it in the same way your going to drive it.
3. Hyper-eutectic and moly.
4. Go roller first, you'll never go back. There really is no break in on roller cam and roller lifters. Just put em in and drive it.
5. Have the machine shop assemble the short block, you will have something to fall back on if it isn't right. Not that expensive and the piece of mind is worth it for a first time build.
6. Stick with the Q Jet, or Holley, Edelbrocks have left me walking too many times, wouldn't put one on my lawn mower. Q Jets are a royal pain to rebuild but if done "correctly" they last forever and get better fuel economy than an Edelbrock. I prefer fuel injection, expensive but way worth it.
7. Cylinder heads are only worth the machine work and parts you put in them. Don't cheap out. Iron heads are fine but aluminum is easier to get more power out of and there are a ton of plug and play heads on the market.
8. UPGRADE YOUR COOLING SYSTEM, I have seen way to many builds go wrong because the cooling system was not upgraded to match the engine.

Build with confidence, check everything twice, don't cheap out, and use GOOD assembly lube, most of all have fun, if it ain't fun it ain't worth it.

Just my two cents.

 

[1-ton]

I disagree on going with Q-Jet carb. Not because Q-Jets are bad carbs, but they are "spread bore" carbs, and ALL aftermarket aluminum intake manifolds are "square bore". This means you have to use a square bore-to-spread bore adapter. This combonation is not optimal for performance.

The reason the Edelbrock Performer carb (based on the old Carter AFB) gets such a bad rap is because people slap them on with no fuel presure regulation system, and expect them to run flawlessly that way. The Edelbrock carb is very good at flowing fuel, but not metering it. People like the Q-jet because they could just slap it on, and it could regulate fuel pressure without regulators. This is because the Q-jet has four sytems: idle, off idle, main, and four barrel. The Edelbrock was designed for performance, thus it only has three system: idle, main, and four barrel. Without the Edelbrock having the "off idle" system of the Q-jet, it cannot meter fuel the way a Q-jet can. I have found Holleys double pumpers to be great for racing because of thier infinit adjustability, but tempermental to weather changes...unless you buy thier off-road carb. I have heard very good things about Holley's off road carb, but it is 3-times the cost of a standard Edelbrock Performer. Edelbrock also makes a more expesive off-road carb.

 

[4xfrankie]

I disagree on going with Q-Jet carb. Not because Q-Jets are bad carbs, but they are "spread bore" carbs, and ALL aftermarket aluminum intake manifolds are "square bore". This means you have to use a square bore-to-spread bore adapter. This combonation is not optimal for performance.

The reason the Edelbrock Performer carb (based on the old Carter AFB) gets such a bad rap is because people slap them on with no fuel presure regulation system, and expect them to run flawlessly that way. The Edelbrock carb is very good at flowing fuel, but not metering it. People like the Q-jet because they could just slap it on, and it could regulate fuel pressure without regulators. This is because the Q-jet has four sytems: idle, off idle, main, and four barrel. The Edelbrock was designed for performance, thus it only has three system: idle, main, and four barrel. Without the Edelbrock having the "off idle" system of the Q-jet, it cannot meter fuel the way a Q-jet can. I have found Holleys double pumpers to be great for racing because of thier infinit adjustability, but tempermental to weather changes...unless you buy thier off-road carb. I have heard very good things about Holley's off road carb, but it is 3-times the cost of a standard Edelbrock Performer. Edelbrock also makes a more expesive off-road carb.

HOLD ON -HOLD ON ! Everyone knows you can get a dual plane intake in a spread bore bolt pattern,COME ON!!As far as Q-jet vs carter it is all about your experience with that specific carb. there have been many tests from different publications that have favored the Q -jet in both fuel mileage and offroad ability. The only downside is they might be harder to change jets and adjust float height ,and the like and they are trickier to tune for someone who has never done it ,but the Q-JET PRESENTS NO PROBLEMS for me its a no brainer- better fuel consumption / no stalling and cutting out plus parts are cheap.Just what I like, that's all!

 

[1-ton]

You are correct. Even though Edelbrock and Holley technically refer to them as square bore. they do have a slight spread bore pattern to them.

 

[wallerus]

I guess it's personal preference and experience. I had a new E-brock on a 78 K5 automatic with pressure regulator. Boggy, smokey and hated off angle driving. Attached the proper Q-jet, (properly rebuilt) picked up 4 MPG, no more smoke, accelerated like a rocket, and would damn near drive upside down.

Son put a new one on his 82 K5 really sucked. Sent it back for warranty twice, still wouldn't run right and half the time you had to smack the area of the floats with a screwdriver handle just to get it to start. Took a 5 year old Holley Vac secondary big bowl dual feed filled it with fuel and Marvel for about 6 hours to swell the gaskets, adjusted the floats, still running after 10 years when he sold it.

It's all in the experience. Bite me once shame on you, bite me twice I'm takin your a$$ to the pound.