Newbie with a carb question...

[mocker]

Hey y'all. Just picked up a farily rusty '72 Chevy with a 350, "3-on-the-tree", 2WD long bed. It has neither power steering nor power brakes. It does, however, have a ton of "vibe".

I'm gonna use it for light utility use for now, I may end up doing some heavier resto work later.

Main question: the carb is shot and needs replacement. What are y'alls recomendations? I'm pretty sure it's a 4bbl, looks stock. I'd lean towards a manual choke, especially since the auto. choke is toast on this one.

Also, any other cheap mods you'd recommend?

[truckster]

A lot of guys like the Edelbrocks. They're fairly easy to install and set up, and they don't require a lot of maintenance. I'd recommend an electric choke, though. It only takes 1 12 volt wire to install, and it works really well.

[72shadetree]

i also like the eldebrocks or a good qjet oh by the way welcome from va

[krue]

I plan on just rebuilding my quadrajunk when I get around to it.
BTW Welcome to the board from South Mississippi!

[O'l Buck]

I would personally stick with the stock Quadrajet. alot of people complain about them, but it's been my experience, it's kinda like that rotissery bbq oven on TV..........set it and forget it!.........Once properly tuned, they are very reliable and run very well. The way I see it, if they were such a P. O. S. , why would GM have used them since the beginning of time till the fuel injection era began?

[dtlilly]

I would say a Q-Jet or a Edelbrock 1406 (elec choke), Stay away from a Holly, unless you like to turn screws everytime the weather changes.

By the way, welcome to the board from S.W. Tennessee.

[lukecp]

I agree, a good Q-jet or a Edelbrock 1406. Q-jets are a great carb when they don't have a million miles on them. Don't mess with those cheapo auto parts store rebuilt Q-jets either....i have had poor luck with them too.

However, Edelbrocks are cheap, easy to tune, easy to install, and rarley require manintence besides filter changes and the choke adjustment twice a year (spring and fall). I love my 1406

[CPNEJR]

I'd get an edelbrock 1406 I got one of them. it's simplest thing to install next to a stocker! my brother had and original carb on his big block and it always readjusted itself. it could also be the fact that if it didn't idle slow enough he'd keep adjusting it

[mocker]

Thanks, everyone for the great responses and warm welcome. Looks like the consensus is for the Edelbrock 1406. One or two quick follow-ups:

1) Do these come out of the box ready to install, or will I need to re-jet/ re-needle it? Keep in mind that I'm not looking for hi-performance, just easy and dependable starting and running, with the hope of improved gas mileage (yeah, right).

2) Are there additional brackets, plugs, etc. that I'll need to buy, or does the 1406 come with all the necessary installation condiments ?

Thanks again, everyone, for the assistance. This board kicks ass!

[greasemonkey]

My 1406 runs fine out of the box. If you have the original Quadrajet manifold, you will need to get an adapter since the Edelbrock is square bore. There are three fittings on the front of the carb- one for pcv, one for the vacuum advance, and another one that I'm guessing is for emissions but I have capped off. The Edelbrock adapter itself comes with studs, gaskets, etc. so you should be ready to go. Good luck!

[pa_snowman]

I agree, stay with the q-jet (if the throttle rod bushings are in good shape or bolt on a Edelbrock. I have a 67 that started out with a q-jet which after several trys at fine tuning ran great untill it just plane woreout. if you are going to use the stock manifold to mount a edelbrock you will need an adapter. i highly suggest one with 4 individual holes not one that has just one big opening. this will give you better throttle responce comming off idle because of the straight shot into the intake for the fuel/air mix. the open type causes a lot of disruption in the flow causing the engine to stumble. TRUST ME, been there and done that.
OH just to prove the ease of the edelbrocks i also have one on a 79 3/4 ton conversion van that i just took out of the box and bolted on, set the idel and started driving. i've been driving it for over 7 years now. i took it over to Germany and drove it for 5 years there. This van could insult BMW's on the autobahn by running at a cruising speed of 100 mph, and with an estimated top speed of 150 mph.
American Iron At Its Best!