sajvette

Looking to buy a NEW, not rebuilt carb for the 81... also with the carb numbers, how can I know this is the carb that came with the car??
Thanks... Steve

Easy Mike

You want an E4ME QuadraJet stamped 17081217 for a four speed car, 17081218 for a California car, or 17081218 for regular production AT cars. The carb will also have to be dated coded, usually within six weeks of the time build date of your '81.

Those numbers are correct for 1981 Corvettes. There were no optional engines for '81, so your choices are limited to having to find only one of three.

sajvette

Thanks for the reply... I checked the number... 17070838.. called Chevy and he said the carb does not exist... I have a make-believe carb. No wonder it stumbles! It also is not the replacement numbers. Trying now to get thru to Jet Performance in L.A. to order right one. Called Edelbrock and although "my call is very important" to them, they haven't answered all morning. aaarrrggghhh thanks

Easy Mike

Not sure what you have, but that's not a Corvette number, unless the carb is an over-the-counter replacement.

sajvette

Thanks for the reply... I got the carb from Ecklers back in 2002, a rebuilt from Tomco Rebuilders. Now I hear that Jet Performance in Los Angeles is a q-jet specialist... the number on the body might not mean much. But the rebuilder might have mixed and matched parts... I may go to pick-n-pull to try another carb as a test... I don't know...

sajvette

So the base is number 170 60 558. The body is 170 70 0838. And the top is 170 77 335. Should they all match? I think they actually mean something... like the 81 (in the correct numbers) means the year. Monday morning I will talk to The Head Rebuilder! He will know all.