rebuild it or not?

[70k52wd]

I have my quadrat jet carb that I can have a guy rebuild it at $80 an hr. Or I can just push a button and get a rebuilt replacement for $300. http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/15802/10002/-1#
Not sure how many hours it would take to rebuild a carb. I'm thinking 2 hrs. plus kit. There is $160 + kit cost right there. But, he would give it the final adjustments for that money.
I also am thinking which would be a better rebuild, Jegs or mine. Mine has at least one rebuild that I know of already.

[msgross]

for that cost I would buy the $20 kit, get some online info and try it yourself... What do you have to lose? except a few tiny springs and screws! seriously, i'd try it myself...

[70k52wd]

Originally Posted by msgross

for that cost I would buy the $20 kit, get some online info and try it yourself... What do you have to lose? except a few tiny springs and screws! seriously, i'd try it myself...

I've never rebuilt a carb before. I guess I don't trust myself enough. I just picture flooding, backfires, and gas fires. I'm not even sure if I have the tools for the job. I'll look into it. I like to take things apart. Getting them back together is a whole other thing.

[silverstreak]

The quadrajet is a little on the complex side for a first time rebuild. A 2 barrell or one barrell would be a better training aid.
One thing to look for on Quadrajets is wear of the throttle shaft bore. Grab the linkage of the primary throttle blades, open them slightly and try to wiggle the shaft around. If there's any looseness or play, the throttle body may need to be drilled out and bushings pressed in to eliminate the free play. This looseness will allow air to enter the carb, (a vacuum leak) and would be difficult to get a smooth idle or be able to tune properly. If you have to do this to your carb, it will add to the cost and complexity of the rebuild.

[70k52wd]

Originally Posted by silverstreak

The quadrajet is a little on the complex side for a first time rebuild. A 2 barrell or one barrell would be a better training aid.
One thing to look for on Quadrajets is wear of the throttle shaft bore. Grab the linkage of the primary throttle blades, open them slightly and try to wiggle the shaft around. If there's any looseness or play, the throttle body may need to be drilled out and bushings pressed in to eliminate the free play. This looseness will allow air to enter the carb, (a vacuum leak) and would be difficult to get a smooth idle or be able to tune properly. If you have to do this to your carb, it will add to the cost and complexity of the rebuild.

I thought that about the Q-jet. I have seen a few post suggesting the degree of difficulty in the rebuilding of the Q.
I was just looking at a bushing kit. $90. Also, warping must be an issue with these carbs. The same place sells un warping tools. They have what sounds like the real deal of a rebuild. Price seems high. I believe you get what you pay for.http://www.quadrajetcarburetors.com/

[Bears63]

I have rebuilt a couple Q-jets and I would definitely say that it is not one to do on your first rebuild. They are complex, but they are also good carbs when properly tuned. I have paid for rebuilt Q-jets before, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again since it is so much more convenient than doing it yourself. That's my .02 anyway.

[msgross]

Just store yours on the shelf for now and buy a NAPA replacement... I think someone said they were under $300...

[70k52wd]

Is a Napa rebuild a quality rebuild? Are all the complicated processes done as a high end rebuilt unit would have done. Such as bushings, no warping, and the 41 factory defects that qjc.com said they fix.

[jim zag]

A quadrajet is not that complicated. Buy a brass float if you rebuild it as the plastic ones can be Heavy and cause problems. A couple of tricks I remember are just push the accelerator pump arm roll pin in just enough to free up the arm and then you can push it back into position with a screwdriver. The other trick is to work the choke rod sideways out of the arm where it hooks into the fast idle cam assembly. Use paint stripper and small brushes and water to clean up. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!!!

[70k52wd]

Thanks for all the advise.
I just got off the phone with my trusted mechanic friend. He said it would be $300 for him to rebuild. And that's if it needs nothing unusual, like a bushing kit. And if it's warped, he can fix that also. It could be a $500 rebuild.
He suggest Jegs. He said they do all that stuff to there carbs. Sounds like Jegs it is. Or Napa. I'm calling them now.