Another sniper question - which kit / config

[IT Cowboy]

I found a mechanic that knows his carbs and older vehicles and he says the throttle link bushing on my Quadrajet is worn out and probably causing a vacuum leak. I found a bushing kit from Cliffs for $75 plus the carb probably needs a rebuild kit. For the cost, time and expense I an considering throwing on a Holly 1406. Any thoughts or virtual beatings to be had.

[Steeveedee]

If you think you can do the reaming of the throttle plate and installation of the throttle pate bushings, good on you. I had those done by a local shop, since I didn't want to buy Cliff's kit for a one-time job. Rebuilding a Q-Jet is dead simple. Buy Cliff's book; there are things you will learn that will stand you in good stead. I didn't make any modifications that Cliff shows in his book, as my carb is dead stock on a dead stock engine. I did end up putting on an electric choke, though. Checking that there is a vacuum leak at the throttle shaft is easy- just squirt carb cleaner at the primary throttle shaft on both sides- left and right. If the rpm changes, the baseplate is worn and needs the bushings. The secondary throttle shaft does not need bushings, btw.

ETA- you engine will run great with the new carb, because it is new. But it won't actually be calibrated like the general's engineers spent many sleepless nights making sure the settings were correct.

[guyryan100]

As a fellow IT pro, I'll share what I decided about carbs/EFI kits - hope it helps.

An EFI system is definitely an upgrade. Having computer control and an oxygen sensor in the exhaust gives EFI capabiliites a carb just wont have, and its fun to integrate newer tech into old tech.

But I think its a step 2. Don't skip step 1 of understanding how your cab works including basic tuning.

Remember when you learned to drive a manual transmission, and it put you into an elite club of auto enthusiasts who knew this advanced capability? Tuning a cab puts you in an elite group of classic car enthusiasts. And once you replace your carb with EFI, that opportunity is lost.

EFI is an expensive upgrade that will provide some benefit but on the list of upgrades there are many that have a larger benefit both for improving drivability/reliability and learning.

Before I put in an EFI I would consider (in no particular order):
* Power brakes
* Power steering
* LED lights (inside and out)
* Relays for headlights
* Upgraded stereo
* overdrive transmission
* fix leaks
* sway bar

Im still working through that list and hope to do EFI after I get these items done, that in my view have a faster return on the time and money invested. And some of them are techy :-)

Owning a truck our grandparents designed means learning to master the tech they perfected. Carbs are easy enough to learn and get you into that exclusive club everyone wants to be in of elite classic car enthusiasts.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I'd pay GM engineers by buying a vehicle with the stuff already trouble shot.../old man

I've heard the Chev TPI system works very well. Had a friend with a mid-80s Corvette and he loved it.

But I'm not sure where you could find one these days, or what it would take to retrofit the system to an older truck.