Quadrajet Rebuild

[Dad's72]

Hey y'all. I have found the original carb that went to my truck. I am pretty sure it is the original anyway. It is stamped 7042210 QE 2381. A buddy of a buddy is rebuilding one for me as a favor but I would like to try it myself as well.

My question to y'all who have rebuilt your own is, would you do it again or pay to have it rebuilt? Also which rebuild kit did you go with?

They seem pretty common online and Autozone and O'Reilly seem to have a rebuild kit as well. Are they all pretty much the same?

[jeffahart]

Look up Doug Roe and Ruggles for Rochester carburetors. I think having a second card to rebuild is exactly what you need. Rebuild it, read the books from these two guys and you will be loving the Q-jet for sure. You will move from tinkering to actually being able to keep your stuff running because you know how it works!

Good luck, glad you want to learn!

[geezer#99]

That carbs for a 72 with auto tranny.
Not all carb kits are the same. You want high quality look here.
http://www.cliffshighperformance.com/

Here's a couple links on the rebuild process.
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...4MV_carburetor

http://www.vetteprojects.com/kstyer/quadrajet.htm

[jeffahart]

Also, since I chimed in on this, check out the links or books or what not.

But a bit on my approach.
I would clean it up and put it on and see how it runs, or if it runs. I like to test everything if possible before I bust it open. It will give you a benchmark. It's quite possible it could run pretty good, then after your rebuild it could run like crap. Then you know a bit from your initial test.

I'm not saying don't rebuild if it runs fine. Just the opposite, just try to see what you starting with.

It's my basic approach when possible.

And have a fire extinguisher close by when you're working with gas!

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

That carbs for a 72 with auto tranny.
Not all carb kits are the same. You want high quality look here.
http://www.cliffshighperformance.com/

Here's a couple links on the rebuild process.
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...4MV_carburetor

http://www.vetteprojects.com/kstyer/quadrajet.htm

Don't let anyone fool you! You need to contact Cliff via email at above address. His kits are ethanol tolerant, and he can send you all the parts you need to tailor your carb to your specific engine. Get his book, all this would be the best thing you could do for a "rebuild", and not all that much money...although will be more than just a "kit" from the twilight zone or Horeilly's...

[Dad's72]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

That carbs for a 72 with auto tranny.
Not all carb kits are the same. You want high quality look here.
http://www.cliffshighperformance.com/

Here's a couple links on the rebuild process.
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...4MV_carburetor

http://www.vetteprojects.com/kstyer/quadrajet.htm

Yes. Mine is a 72 super, 350, th350 auto tranny

[Ochre Ogre]

Give it a shot, just take lots of pictures from every angle at each step. Especially in the choke area. I also took a piece of white butcher paper, drew a top view of the carb on it and laid out all the screws and assorted parts and laid them on the drawing where they would go for reassembly. Also take lots of pictures from every angle at each step. (can't say that enough) It never fails, the picture you need is the one you did not take because it was obvious how it went together.

[Dad's72]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

Also, since I chimed in on this, check out the links or books or what not.

But a bit on my approach.
I would clean it up and put it on and see how it runs, or if it runs. I like to test everything if possible before I bust it open. It will give you a benchmark. It's quite possible it could run pretty good, then after your rebuild it could run like crap. Then you know a bit from your initial test.

I'm not saying don't rebuild if it runs fine. Just the opposite, just try to see what you starting with.

It's my basic approach when possible.

And have a fire extinguisher close by when you're working with gas!

A buddy of mine who lives up the street has an 84 that I could bolt it on and see how it runs with my carb on it. Is this what you mean? His truck runs well now so I guess if it runs like crap when I put mine on I will know that it is not good huh?

[TCONNELLY]

I would check the throttle shaft for movement. There's a good chance it may need bushings. Otherwise, you'll have a vacuum leak that makes getting the idle set difficult or impossible. There are bushing kits and instructions on line. However, you may want to send it out to someone that has the tools and bushings. Just don't take it to a big chain , who knows what you'll get.
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[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by Dad's72

A buddy of mine who lives up the street has an 84 that I could bolt it on and see how it runs with my carb on it. Is this what you mean? His truck runs well now so I guess if it runs like crap when I put mine on I will know that it is not good huh?

No, I meant bolt it on your truck, or whatever vehicle it's going on. But if your buddy is up for it fine. But he will probably balk and say just rebuild it, because he knows what to expect if he's a mechanic, but you don't know. It's not necessary, just what I would do. Carbs are easy to pop on and off. All I'm saying is if you have a chance to see how something functions before dissembling then your one up. Especially if your new to carbs. You gotta be a little crafty on your approach so you have an idea of why something's not performing or flat not working at all.

[slikside]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Don't let anyone fool you! You need to contact Cliff via email at above address. His kits are ethanol tolerant, and he can send you all the parts you need to tailor your carb to your specific engine. Get his book, all this would be the best thing you could do for a "rebuild", and not all that much money...although will be more than just a "kit" from the twilight zone or Horeilly's...

Agree...that's what I did. Couldn't be happier with the results. I did have him rebush the primary shaft, but I did the rest with his book and kit.

Also highly second the idea of taking lots of pics, they are priceless for reassembly, although Cliff's book is quite good.

One last point...you said it's the original carb to your dad's 72. Find out the date stamp on the carb your buddy's buddy is rebuilding and compare the two. All q-jets are NOT created equal. In general, the later ones are better. I have a '72 also, but It was changed out waaaaay back in the day, and truck actually has a '76 q-jet on it. They were learning from and modifying these carbs until they were obsolete when fuel injection became common....that's why the later dates are better.

[slikside]

Just looked at your pic again....

That 2381 number is the julian date of manufacture (238th day of '71), so that would jive with a '72 model year.

Find out what the julian date is of your other carb.

[slikside]

..

[jlsanborn]

This is a good read...

http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_...ng%20Paper.pdf

I've done several Q-jets and love them!

[Dad's72]

Originally Posted by slikside

Just looked at your pic again....

That 2381 number is the julian date of manufacture (238th day of '71), so that would jive with a '72 model year.

Find out what the julian date is of your other carb.

Hmmm. Interesting. The other was tagged as a remanufactured carb. I assumed this was the original since I found it under my dad's old workbench with a note as to not send it off as a core. I guess it isn't. Maybe I will rebuild it as a back up or as practice. Wondering if it will work now for my 72.

[BlazerBill]

Does anybody have a contact for Bob Stone aka the Carb Doc? Tied FB no luck.

Thanks