What carb to go with ?

[chopttop]

Changed oil, fuel filter, plugs, wires, cap/rotor (HEI) on the '71 C 30 cab/chassis camper I bought last fall, Idles and sounds great for a minute or two and then it seems like it starts to load up and i have to rev it up to clear it up and then it starts all over again. It is a 350 w/a quadrajet, needs replacing anyway, support broke off on one side of plunger activating arm so it,will not stay centered on the top of the plunger? unless I use a small vise grip to hold it in place. Also found out either the engine isn't original, imagine that, or they put older heads on it, sounds good when idleing, have only driven it , 2 miles , home, when I bought it, very slowly. Which carb and what size should I be looking for. Thanks

[mnunn454]

Could be as simple as timing, idle screw jetting/adjustment, a "seepy" fuel bowl needle/seat or a vacuum leak or any combination of the above. But then, it could be completely worn out and in need of a rebuild. I've found Q-jets can be a bear to get right after rebuilding. In my opinion, they're generally expensive to replace/buy as rebuilt. If you're willing to spend decent money on a carb, the Edelbrock 600 would be my recommendation if your engine's nearly stock.

[Bill72BB]

if you are sure it's the carb the Edelbrock 1406 should work fine ,if you have done any modifications I would suggest also getting the rod& jet kit off e-bay .

[chopttop]

I have done nothing to it, all I know it is not a '71 engine, older larger spark plugs, could be original engine, older heads, has HEI ignition.

[67shortie]

Q-jets can be hard to get figured out sometimes. I personally would do a general rebuild on the thing (if you know how, don't know your skill level) and get it to work.

Quadrajets are one of the best carbs out there, I have one on my truck myself.

[airdale94]

There's a guy on E-Bay selling Holley Economasters. They're spreadbore so they will bolt up to stock. I've heard some good things about them, and he really talked them up, couarse I'm a salesman at heart so I'm easy. I haven't got mine on yet, actually haven't got yet. Rebuilt my Q and don't have any vacuum at the ports. But it runs better.

[Bill72BB]

I think the 1406 would work fine , it also has an electic choke .

Originally Posted by chopttop

I have done nothing to it, all I know it is not a '71 engine, older larger spark plugs, could be original engine, older heads, has HEI ignition.

[RACINJASON22]

You will get as many opinion on this as there are carbs available. Personal preferance prevails in this matter.

So here's mine I love Q-jets and rebuilt Q-jets can be had from Advance Auto for under $150. i will get the #'s but there were some listed here in the recent past. Someone my have the numbers more readily avalible. Just my .02 RJ22

[RLTAutoTeacher]

Q-jet's a very versatile carb, and when properly set up it can't be beat! Find you an older GM mechanic to rebuild it for you. Someone who has had lots of experience. I would have loved to gone with the Qjet on my truck, but I also wanted to run the Air Gap RPM. I hate adapters, so I went with a square bore Holley. Here's my opinion about Holley - SUCKS! But they're cheap and easy to find. A friend pointed out that I've got a $25000 truck with a $200 carb on it, I should get an FI conversion. Makes perfect seance. Who's got $1500 that I can have????

[RACINJASON22]

Here's the #'s for the rebuilt Q-Jet if ya want em' supplied by rage'nrat638 Thank You rage'nrat BTW for them as I'm sure any others here that use them will feel the same.

AUTO ZONE NUMBER Part No.: 3-78A 126.99
worked prefect right out of the box

[jorgensensc]

Just went and got mine today from autozone! 118.00 minus my 10% firefighter discount. 106.20 plus tax.. woohoo!!!
Shawn