Q-jet surprise

[John_S]

I purchased a reman Q-jet from a "well" known supplier. It ran fairly well last year, but have been dealing with some idle to mid rpm issues, this year. ie running rich and slight surging. Fuel bowl was leaking down, so decided to check well plugs, etc. The epoxy was deteriating (crumbling), but also found that the wrong primary jets and rods were installed. It was suppose to have .068 jets and .041 rods. I found .074 jets and rods marked 52-K??? The secondary rods were correct, CH. I am not happy, but will contact supplier to see if they will send correct parts, even though it is 14 months old, and 90-day warrantee long gone.

In the meantime, shying away from another pot luck reman, decided to order an Edelbrock #1409. The season is too short, and don't have time to chase down q-jet parts, and tuning. Hopefully, the supplier will send them, and can rebuild, test, and sell it next spring.

Soon to be Edelbrock convert.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Q-jet surprise

Wow, Sorry to hear of your troubles, who would have known? You'll like the Edelbrock, they seem so simple, yet so efficient compared to the Qjet.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Q-jet surprise

Soon to be Edelbrock convert.

Ayuh,.... Took ya Long enough,........

 

[freak007]

Re: Q-jet surprise

check out Sparky's carbs (http://www.sparkyscarbs.com/) or Dean Oliver (http://www.retunedmusic.com/deano/) these guys know Quadra-Jets inside and out... they are GREAT to work with... when they do a rebuild, it isn't a "pot-luck" rebuild or a "stock" rebuild... they CUSTOM build a carb for your application... even on a stock engine there is no comparison to a stock carb... better throttle response, better mileage, and more power... sounds to good to be true doesn't it??


And there is no comparison between a Edelbroke and a Quadra-Jet... the Quadra-Jet has smaller primaries which allow for better part throttle fuel efficiency and throttle response as well as HUGE (stock QJs come in 750cfm and 800 cfm, they can be modified to flow more) vacuum operated secondaries that allow for all the top end your engine is capable of (but because it is vacuum operated your engine only gets what it needs, no more)... The QJ is a bit tough to tune... but it is a set and forget carb

 

[MikDee]

Re: Q-jet surprise

Edelbrock = Carter AFB, I had 2 of these "E-series" with 1-11/16th's" Primary's, & Secondary's, original equipment on my 1963 Plymouth Fury Ramcharger 426, about 45yrs ago! they were great.

 

[freak007]

Re: Q-jet surprise

It is true that the Edelbrock Performer series carbs are the same design (actually bought from Carter) as the Carter AFB... The original AFB was used as original equipment on many makes from 1957 to 1971... however my experiance has shown me that the QUALITY of the Performer carb in no way compares to the AFB.

The Edelbrock Thunder series is the same as a Carter AVS, and is a superior design (when compared to the AFB), it was first used in 1966 on the 275Hp 327 (an never on another Chevy after that). They were predominantly used on Mopar applications from 1968-1971... they are less popular simply because they were used on fewer OE applications... thus less demand for after market parts...

Neither carb can hold a candle to a well tuned Quadra-Jet

JMHO

 

[John_S]

Re: Q-jet surprise

Freak007, that is why I went with the Q-jet in the first place. Just want simple and quick right now. Boating season is too short in NY, to bother sending carb out. I'll fix the q-jet, and retest it this spring.

The #1409 was ordered late yesterday, and will be on my porch tomarrow. The fuel line was purchased off ebay, and if it is here by Thursday, will make the run up to the lake to install and test.

FWIW, the fouling plugs were driving me nuts, but the family hardly even noticed. If it miss-fired coming on plane, then they would notice, otherwise they were wondering why I was doing more wot runs. Plug cleaning, the fun way.

Bondo, thx, I knew that was coming

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: Q-jet surprise

I'm running the 1409 and will never look back. I had a rebuilt Qjet that lasted 1/2 year. As you, my plugs went and it wa sa mess. The Edelbrock starts on a dime and runs flawless.

 

[freak007]

Re: Q-jet surprise

any time a QJ is rebuilt the plugs should be epoxied over... if your builder knows QJs he will do it automatically...

 

[John_S]

Re: Q-jet surprise

Freak007,

I have a M4ME that was made in '84. As stated above, the epoxy was crumbling on the main well plugs. I easily removed what was left. Apon examination, I don't understand how they leak into the intake manifold. It appears to be captured within a sealed pentagon chamber of the butterfly plate. Can you enlighten me on how the fuel would leak past this chamber? Beginning to think something else is causing the problem.

 

[freak007]

Re: Q-jet surprise

unless you have a bad casting... there is are no places for the main body to leak other than the plugs. The plugs are there to seal access holes made for the initial machining.

BTW - you carb rebuild sounds like a Jet job


Here is a excerpt from Cliff Ruggles' (another well respected Q-Jet authority ) book... Tt has some great info on sealing the plugs.... Cliff is one of those down to earth guys that you can call and get advise from... but be aware he is usually VERY busy...

http://www.cartechbooks.com/vstore/...&CATID=23&Product_ID=3602&DID=6&chapter=11016

Doug Roe also has a very good book... I highly suggest you get ahold of one of them (or both)...

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Q-jet surprise

I installed a 1409 on my 350Mag/Vortec...........ran great out of the box.........no tuning required (except for idle adjustment).