CK5
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Rebuilding the Quadrajet

No, you won't wreck anything. The main problem I've seen is that it runs a tad lean at cruise, which results in surging as the carb compensates.

I would have NO qualms about digging into the "original" truck carb and rebuilding it. You might practice on the "cadi" carb though just to get a feel for what it will be like.

I can't recall, but there is nothing inherently wrong with the one off the truck, right?

I think the hardest part is getting the accelerator pump piston to stay in place while you try to seal the carb back up, but that's about it. IMO it really is a simple process. Leave the choke alone though, and pay attention to how the choke linkage comes apart depending on any choke linkage you have to move around to get the three main carb sections apart. :)

As with most builds/rebuilds, don't force anything.
 
Dorian, the original reason why I was going to rebuild a different carb for the Jimmy is because the one that was on it had a bit crack on it...I forget who pointed it out.
 
I don't know how to say this, but I am F&*$#ing dumb.
I went out to take pictures of the crack for James (jiminycricket) to see if I could use any parts off of it.
When I looked at the crack when it was on the manifold, it looked like a crack, and felt like one.
With better lighting in the shop, I found out something...
THERE IS NO crack. There is a little line of some brownish red fluid someone dropped and it ran down the side, but also there is more on fuel filter part.
I doulbed checked to make sure it was ON TOP, I took a piece of sandpaper and rubbed twice in the area...what do you know, it's gone.

So looks like the "new" carb is for spare, might also rebuild it down the road. I will rebuild the "old" one now.

So much for my statis of gaining more knowledge...this is probably one of the stupidiest mistakes I've made. Luckily I'm not out much money on the carb, just need to pay a few bucks for shipping.

Sorry guys :o

I'll show some pics after dinner...1 hour
 
LOL now I remember the cracked carb thread I commented on. :p:

Good to hear that it's not cracked though, that's good news.

Again just as a learning experience, I would tear down the spare and put it back together. I broke the ear off the accelerator pump lever pivot pin area on one of my early rebuilds, and that means the carb is toast, since the upper third of the carb usually isn't swappable.
 
alright, I will tear apart the spare one first, clean, then put back together. Depending on the cost of a rebuild kit, I might get one for that too.
Thanks for the help...
 
pics

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15029PANA0947.JPG




I dont think anyone replied about this, so I was ask again...is this suposed to stay open?
15029PANA0944.JPG
 
If you fiddle around with the choke linkage on the stock truck carb (green lever IIRC) and move the throttle at the same time I think you'll see the choke plate snap shut.

On the one that IS closed, if you play with the same linkage you can probably get it to open a bit, as long as the carb isn't too cold and the choke coil hasn't been messed with.
 
Alright, as long as there isn't anything wrong with it, I would mess with it too much. Don't need to break it!

Thanks
 
Good eye Steve.

You should give yourself credit for double checking before just tearing into it without a second thought. Good sign of a future engineer!

Be glad kiddo, that makes your job all the easier. :D
 
oh my goodness; i'm sure have a slow week...I have not accomplished anything yet. Been busy with homework from school and other stuff.
I HOPE to pick up carb cleaner on thursday, and call Lordco the same day or something.
Ahhh...priorities!
 
What should come in the rebuild kit? Just in case the guy at Lordco is an indiot like last time. Anything extra I should ask for while I am there for the Q-jet? For now I am just rebuilding the old one, and taking apart the new one and putting it back together for practice before I rebuild the old one.
Thanks, getting the kit tomorrow, if they have it in stock.
 
Gaskets, needle and seat, float, accelerator pump, etc.

Some people prefer a brass float over plastic, most kits come with plastic IIRC.

You will not get any hard parts.
 
Your right TJ.

Sorry Steve, you have to ask for the float if you need one. It is not included.
 
What do you mean there is no hard parts? What parts do I need that aren't included in most kits?
So I have to look at my float to see if I need a new one then, right? I guess if I need a float I can pick it up later.
Thanks guys!
 
Morning Steve.

By hard parts I meant items like a choke rod, clips, throttle shaft, little things that sometimes break, wear out, or go missing over the years.

Your kit will include all the internals/gaskets needed for a rebuild but also assumes your carb is a good rebuildable core to begin with.

Example: If you had a cracked housing like you originally thought a kit would not come with that piece. If you had a missing linkage, missing choke door, warped baseplate, you'd have to get a spare carb to salvage those pieces. Does that make sense?
 
If I can jump in here...check your choke pull-off before you go to buy your kit...should be easy to find instructions on how you do this on the web...these are common problems on Q-Jets and very easy to replace...can cause a lot of trouble though!

Bryan
 
jiminycricket said:
Morning Steve.

By hard parts I meant items like a choke rod, clips, throttle shaft, little things that sometimes break, wear out, or go missing over the years.

Your kit will include all the internals/gaskets needed for a rebuild but also assumes your carb is a good rebuildable core to begin with.

Example: If you had a cracked housing like you originally thought a kit would not come with that piece. If you had a missing linkage, missing choke door, warped baseplate, you'd have to get a spare carb to salvage those pieces. Does that make sense?

Hey,
Alright, that makes sense. Thanks!!
I will assume the carb is a good rebuildable core...if not I will find out later.
I'm at school so I have to go, I will report back after 4:00 if I get the stuff.
If the carb was running before I took it off, all the external parts should be in good condition; like the linkage and all that, right?
Thanks

I'll be back at 4:00...
 
Ahh another note. Don't take the throttle plates off the throttle shafts (unless you have to, like to bush the primary throttle shaft) as you run the risk of breaking the small screws off. You can grind the staked portion off, etc., but not worth it if the shafts don't HAVE to come out.

Also, I would not disassemble the choke if it worked reasonably well before. If one portion of Q-jets give people the most trouble, I'd have to say it's the choke. Some people have issues with the linkage sticking, but you can get cleaner in there without disassembling the thing.
 
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