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Quadrajet tuning tips?

J

Jesse Jaymes

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Location
Las Cruces, New Mexico
I have never taken a carb apart, nor have I even taken one off. But in trying to improve my '74, I searched eBay and found a 1974 Quadrajet with a number which tells me that it was probably original equipment, auto tranny, non CA.

I purchased a Quadrajet book from eBay as well. I have only thumbed throught it, but it looks to not be Chevy specific.

I am asking if this is a completely stupid idea and if there are some tips for tuning specific to an off road rig with a few mods?

This could be a daily driver and is not a totally off road rig. It has an Edelbrock intake, cam and ceramic headers with custom exhaust. No cats. I am at 4000 ft elev.

It currently has an Edelbrock carb, which is very poor off road.

I bought this Q-jet for about $50. I was thinking of sending it out to rebuild, but called one place in CO and they told me $500, and that is with my carb. Sorry, but even with an income tax return, I am broke.

Was thinking that a Master rebuild kit for $89 would do fine. I am worried about the bushing and machining, as I do not have access to a press. Is it really needed?
 
I just rebuilt a quadrajet that I bought at the JY. I would suggest gettin Doug Roes book if you dont have it already. Take lots of pictures of disassembly. My rebuild kit(gaskets and needle) was $20ish?? and a float was less than $10. Cleaned and cleaned.
When I build another I am going to get one those cutting torch tip cleaners.

Bolted it on and it idled great. Pulled out of the driveway good. Stomped it and it died. The vac. can is gummy and I havent been able to free it. A new can costs $45, which is as much as I have in it with rebuild

On the bushings, remove the throttle plate. Hold the base, open butterflies, and see if there is excessive slop in the shaft. If so, some local shop should have that tool to put bushings in
Good luck, Kenny
 
Jesse Jaymes said:
I have never taken a carb apart, nor have I even taken one off. But in trying to improve my '74, I searched eBay and found a 1974 Quadrajet with a number which tells me that it was probably original equipment, auto tranny, non CA.

I purchased a Quadrajet book from eBay as well. I have only thumbed throught it, but it looks to not be Chevy specific.

I am asking if this is a completely stupid idea and if there are some tips for tuning specific to an off road rig with a few mods?

This could be a daily driver and is not a totally off road rig. It has an Edelbrock intake, cam and ceramic headers with custom exhaust. No cats. I am at 4000 ft elev.

It currently has an Edelbrock carb, which is very poor off road.

I bought this Q-jet for about $50. I was thinking of sending it out to rebuild, but called one place in CO and they told me $500, and that is with my carb. Sorry, but even with an income tax return, I am broke.

Was thinking that a Master rebuild kit for $89 would do fine. I am worried about the bushing and machining, as I do not have access to a press. Is it really needed?
Click to expand...

If you are broke and don't wantto mess with it, I have one that was rebuilt by a pro here in CA and optimized for off road, got use by my buddy for a couple of days and then he switched to Propane.
$200 plus $10 shipping flat rate box.
 
Kenny78 said:
Bolted it on and it idled great. Pulled out of the driveway good. Stomped it and it died. The vac. can is gummy and I havent been able to free it. A new can costs $45, which is as much as I have in it with rebuild
Click to expand...
So thats why mine bogs down when I step on it :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
$45? That seems AWFULLY high. Not saying some stores aren't that high, but I know I've bought them for less than that, its just been a few years.
 
IDK about price. IIRC even the carb doctor or whatever was $40 something. The can has two linkage attachments. I hope I can save it because it doesnt leak, just moves incredibly slow even with the adjustment opened up. Havent got back to it yet though.

Dyeager, where did you pick yours up at?
 
It would likely have been at a Schucks, I think they are now Checker, Schucks, Kragen or O'reillys depending where in the country you are, and I'm not sure if they go back that far east.

Another place to check is http://www.carburetion.com/ although they too are local to me, they probably sell enough to get decent prices, or so you'd hope. :) But they have sold me the bushings for the throttle shafts before, so I know they go through parts others probably don't.
 
I swear that I checked that site before, but maybe it was for something else. $17.30 for ebuilt or double for new is better than $45 at Oreillys. Thanks for the link
 
No problem. What are they going to charge you for shipping?

Curious if it's worth it, as long as folks can wait.
 
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