Quadrajet or not ?

LVANGEE

Cadet
Joined
Sep 2, 2008
Messages
26
I need to buy a new carb for my boat . The only problem I am having is whether or not to stay with the Quadrajet 4bbl that was on it from new ? The engine is a 350 merc 260 hp . I have rebuilt the carb and have had professional marine tech look at it as well . He says buy a rebuilt carb and bolt it on and go ! Should I do this ? Change carb brands edelbrock etc . I am looking for sound advice . thanks
 

1fishbone

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 9, 2010
Messages
476
Re: Quadrajet or not ?

Why fix it if it ain't broke?
Are you having a problem?
 

zbnutcase

Commander
Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
2,055
Re: Quadrajet or not ?

Most of the remans are junk...the cores are just old and worn out...I would do a #1409 Edelbrock myself
 

rthomas

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 9, 2007
Messages
155
Re: Quadrajet or not ?

The E-brock is a lot cheaper than the Qjet, would recomend a matching square bore intake to match, if your motor has center bolt valve covers the E-brock 2104 is the manifold for you.
 

dan t.

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
1,137
Re: Quadrajet or not ?

stick with the Q-Jet ,a far more efficent and tunable carb,consistantly gets better milage than a carter/webber/edelbrock
 

LVANGEE

Cadet
Joined
Sep 2, 2008
Messages
26
Re: Quadrajet or not ?

The carb is original from 1981 . Has issue of leaking at throttle blade shaft bushings . Erratic performance and idle issues .... also the secondaries will stick open at times causing many issues at . This happens at almost 3/4 to WOT !
 

1fishbone

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 9, 2010
Messages
476
Re: Quadrajet or not ?

It can be fixed...the leaking is probably the cause of all the issues.

But the Edlebrock is my choice for re-placement
 

sstocker31

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 24, 2010
Messages
34
Re: Quadrajet or not ?

The best thing to do is stick with the original carb. My guess is that the last time it was rebuilt, the secondarys were'nt put back together straight in the baseplate, and this is causing some binding.
I suggest sending your carb to Cliff @ Cliffs hiperformance. He deals with these carbs on a daily basis....(not marine carbs....but the Qjet) and I'm positive he will be able to help you out. Many of the issues on carbs these days are related to the ethenol in the fuel, and Cliff has modern products that can handle these issues.
Here is a link to his website....give him a call
http://www.cliffshighperformance.com/
 

GLENN M

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 14, 2010
Messages
204
Re: Quadrajet or not ?

if leaking at throttle blades, bushings are worn out, no rebuilding without rebushing will help.chuck carb in garbage get a edelbrock you will be glad you did.if you look through some of the recent posts you will read about some members who have done this swap,and love it goodluck
 

JupiterJoe

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Dec 9, 2010
Messages
80
Re: Quadrajet or not ?

Stick with the Q jet thats what chevy likes. I replaced my Q jet with a brand new E brock and my boat ran worse than with the 20 year old Q jet .
You canget a good rebuilt Q jet marine carb from Jegs bolt it one and cruise. stay with a 650 cfm
 

EJ42955

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Nov 9, 2010
Messages
47
Re: Quadrajet or not ?

Before my vehicles started coming with fuel injection, I insisted on Quadrajets for my V-8s. I learned to fine tune them to my engine needs. Small primaries will sip fuel, and when you need a full gulp of fuel at WOT the secondaries are tremendous. Good auto parts stores will have "Repair" kits available, as well as "Rebuild" kits. If you take the time to find the right combination of jets and needles, Q-jets can't be beat.

My thoughts, of course. Someone will likely argue. He's entitled to his opinion also. ;)

EJ
 

GLENN M

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 14, 2010
Messages
204
Re: Quadrajet or not ?

as i have bein working at chev dealership for 25 yrs,ive rebuilt my share of q jets .now iam not saying anything bad about them because they are a decent carb.just so happens edelbrocks are better.thier brand new not rebuilt,thier marine carb is calibrated for 350 cid so its plug and play.
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: Quadrajet or not ?

Hard to beat a properly tuned Q-Jet.

I would compare cost as far as a new Edelbrock and manifold to just buying a reman carb.

I have bought at least 10 from these guys and only had one that was a problem and it was a Holley.

No core charge and if it is not right they will exchange it with no hassle.

http://marinecarburetor.com/Y40Mercruiser.htm
 
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