carburator question
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: bourbonnais illinois
carburator question
what should I do? I have a 1977 350 L82 and the carb isn't working right. Should I get this carb rebuilt or replace it. It's a rochester and I want the car to be original but I have been told the a holly would be better. Can anybody help?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Rebuild the q-jet for about five reasons:
1) Keeps her original
2) Has 750 CFM
3) Better mileage
4) Linkage, fuel line, and air cleaner won't have to be altered
5) Rebuild is less expensive than a new carb
FWIW,..
1) Keeps her original
2) Has 750 CFM
3) Better mileage
4) Linkage, fuel line, and air cleaner won't have to be altered
5) Rebuild is less expensive than a new carb
FWIW,..
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: bourbonnais illinois
I looked in the store on this website and they have rebuilts and you send in the old carb, is that the way to go? Cause I don't feel comfortable doing it myself?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 3
From: League City TX
Depending on who you are looking at, it may be OK or it may be a bad idea.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
i would say bad idea, the L82 had special power valve spring and jetting. you wont get the correct carb if you get a replacement, i would rebuild what you have, do not trade it in. I know, someone replaced mine on my 79L82, with one that goes on a camaro.
been searching for the correct carb. hard to find. good luck.
been searching for the correct carb. hard to find. good luck.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 427
Likes: 32
From: North Alabama
St. Jude Donor '24-'26
I have an original 1977 L-82 Rochester Q-jet. Well most of one anyway. Someone (Bubba) tried to rebuild it and messed up the top. It still has all the original internal components.
Anyone interested?
Anyone interested?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 39
From: Denver, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
rebuilt rochesters are for better for performance, mileage, and tuning than a holley.. rebuild whatcha got.. or take it to a local shop. maybe one day lars will post a how to on his speciality :P
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Just had my 78 L82 Q-Jet rebuilt which included plating and it looks gorgeous. I sent mine Monday week ago and got it back yesterday. Among their staff is a "master carb technician" but they do many of the NCRS carbs...so it's quality. Included carb gasket and manifold/carb gasget. Call them...don't believe you'll be disappointed.
All American Carb
All American Carb
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: bourbonnais illinois
Just had my 78 L82 Q-Jet rebuilt which included plating and it looks gorgeous. I sent mine Monday week ago and got it back yesterday. Among their staff is a "master carb technician" but they do many of the NCRS carbs...so it's quality. Included carb gasket and manifold/carb gasget. Call them...don't believe you'll be disappointed.
All American Carb
All American Carb
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Rebuild it yourself. Why? Well, first of all, you will get to learn about your carb and be comfortable with taking it apart and working on it. [This won't be the last time, you know.] Second, it is original to the car so it is already configured and adjusted properly for the car (except for 'new' adjustments you will make at rebuild). Third, it is a better carb for your car: better flow, efficiency and performance than a comparable Holley. Lastly, it's FREE! Go to NAPA and buy a rebuld kit and a new poly float. Pick up some carb cleaner while you are at it. If you really want to get 'intimate' with your carb, go to Barnes & Noble book store and pick up a book on Quadajet rebuilding. Sounds like a bit of trouble, but you will be glad you did this when you get done. Oh, you will want to rebuild your distributor, too; but that is a much easier process. 
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: bourbonnais illinois
Rebuild it yourself. Why? Well, first of all, you will get to learn about your carb and be comfortable with taking it apart and working on it. [This won't be the last time, you know.] Second, it is original to the car so it is already configured and adjusted properly for the car (except for 'new' adjustments you will make at rebuild). Third, it is a better carb for your car: better flow, efficiency and performance than a comparable Holley. Lastly, it's FREE! Go to NAPA and buy a rebuld kit and a new poly float. Pick up some carb cleaner while you are at it. If you really want to get 'intimate' with your carb, go to Barnes & Noble book store and pick up a book on Quadajet rebuilding. Sounds like a bit of trouble, but you will be glad you did this when you get done. Oh, you will want to rebuild your distributor, too; but that is a much easier process.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
My brother-in-law is a master mechanic. He looked at mine and said it wasn'tworth the $ to rebuild so I went out and got an Edelbrock. Bolted right on. Beautiful carb! If you have a vette thats super rare and just 'has' to be origional - yeah go to all the trouble and make it origional. Otherwise put the 30 year old carb off to the side and get yourself something new. You can always hand to old carb to the new owner someday - and let him rebuild the 30 year old carb.
just my .02
just my .02
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
Depending on where you live, it may be a moot point. 
You may be subject to smog laws that require you to use the same/similar carb as what came on the car.
You don't have a location in your profile so there's no way we would know if this is the case of not.
You may be subject to smog laws that require you to use the same/similar carb as what came on the car.
You don't have a location in your profile so there's no way we would know if this is the case of not.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 660
Likes: 1
From: Springfield Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09
If you do decide to put it on a shelf and save it, Spray heavily with WD40 and SEAL it in a strong plastic bag. This will keep it from rusting till it is ready for rebuild. Shoot, almost everything I store mechanical is sprayed heavily and stored in plastic.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I don't think I know any mechanics that can look at a carburetor and know that it is "junk". Sounds like a Q-jet negative bias, to me. Frankly, I don't think a new Edelbrock (I assume it's an AFB design) would hold a candle to a well built Q-jet.... but maybe I have a little Q-jet "positive" bias. I know for sure that the Q-jet will use a lot less fuel under normal operation than the Edelbrock.