Old school carb guys

[kingsolver72]

I need some direction on a Rochester 4jet carburetor out of a 1965 Cadillac. "Professionally rebuilt with a fresh kit". The guy is asking $450. Would this be a good carb for a crate engine with an edelbrock intake?
Here's a picture of the carb. Thanks for any help.

[cadillac_al]

If it was going on a 65 Cadillac I would consider it. If it is going on anything else I would much rather run a Qjet or an Edelbrock carb.

[franken]

Exactly. What's the application to spend so much?

[mongocanfly]

l'd buy a new other brand before I'd give that much for a used one..unless there's something special bout it

[D.PASSMORE]

No- dont mess with that thing! If you need a carb, purchase a edelbrock for normal street driving and ease of set-up. If you like Q-jets, you can buy a truck core and have it profesionally rebuilt for the $450.00. Bolt right on a no modifications.

[Alex V.]

I like the 4 Jet. Not to say a Quadrajet isn't a better carburetor when tuned properly, but it can be a bear to get it there. I don't find the 4G to be a terribly inefficient carburetor, and it's simple and straightforward to tune it. I don't think I'd pay $450 for one unless it was going on a car that makes it worth it (numbers/application matching) or was rebuilt by someone that made it a sure thing that it'd be right and last. But to find a good core for <$200 and rebuild it could yield you a nice carb. that isn't obviously wrong or aftermarket.

[Alex V.]

I'd opt for a manual choke over a climatic auto choke any day, but that's preference.

[Lokin4AReason]

i am the same way with having a manual carb. rather than a auto choke .... but back to the carb., i see nothing special w/ that carb.

if it was me, imo, i would go stock or go w/ an after market application than cross interchanging part(s) besides that, less headaches

[DieselSJ]

I'd have a VERY hard time justifying $450 for a used carb when for just a couple hundred more you could go to EFI with something like Fitech. I don't think I'll ever replace a carb with another carb again.

[Dead Parrot]

Unless there is something about your application that requires an OEM carb, skip that one. Even if it is as advertised, how extensive was the rebuild? Could be a complete repair and refit or just a clean and install of a minimal parts kit. Old carbs can have problems with throttle shaft play and mis-matched parts.

If you want a carb, get a new one that matches your choice of engine, engine internals, intake and planned application. The new ones usually come with a warranty and support staff.

[61K10]

I would stay away from it. they were not like a chevy 4jet. Kinda like a Q-jet. look at the gaskets. primary's were smaller than secondary's. A friend years ago had a 57 cad with one.

[swissarmychainsaw]

My local O'reillys has a Edlebrock 600 for right at $320, which would be a nice candidate for a crate 350.
I Just bought a Holley 670, and it works good out of the box, for $350.

Unless you are restoring a Caddy, I would go with a new carb.

good luck!

[CaptRMW]

The 4 jet was notorious for burning a huge spot on your hood. It has 4 brass floats that were a pain in the shorts. Most cores by now have issues that will prevent a high quality rebuild.

[pritch]

I rebuilt the 4 jet on this '67 C-20 w/ a 327 I have. It works great now, but the truck is not really drive-able. I just did it so I could move the truck around if it gets in the way. That being said, if someone were to offer me $450 for it, I would be saying "Yeah, I used to have a nice 4 Jet!"...

[kingsolver72]

Thanks for all the replies!!

[my56chevytruck]

My .02 is the same as most are saying. 1st, I'd stay with a carb, especially on a vintage ride, 2nd, I wouldn't buy a used carb for that kind of money unless it's a # matching part to a #matching car, and lastly, I'd pick up a NEW Edelbrock, save a few bucks and bolt it on and vrooooom. My .02 worth.