How do I tell if this carb is original?

 

Original to what? It appears to be a 1969 dated carb for a 1970 GM product with an automatic transmission if that helps.

 

My vette is a 1968, so can I assume this was not original? The engine matches the VIN, but did not know how to decipher the numbers on the carb.

 

Hi c1n,
It appears your 68 427/390 4-speed engine would of originally had a
Q-Jet with the part number 7028209 FG stamped on it.
I'd say the Julian date on the carburetor in your photo is the 248 day of 1969.
Regards,
Alan

 

John has a 68 he knows em.
That's definitely not a 68 big block number.
If you do use it get rid of that fire hazard rubber hose.
Go steel lines or worry about an engine fire.
Marshal

 

Alan and I hit the send button the same time.
He listed the correct and very expensive carb number for you.
When you find a correctly restored one expect to pay $1200-1400 range.
1 year only. That's why mine is an Edelbrock 1901 series currently.
Marshal

 

2489 is a Julian date.
Marshal

 

Hi c1n,
I forget… is your car a 4-speed or an automatic?
The carb for the automatic would be 7028216 FF.
Marshal will have to say if that's any easier to find!?!?
Regards,
Alan

 

HA HA
Thanks Alan!
I just remember looking for an FG for mine and my pockets weren't deep enough.
Marshal

 

Hi Marshal,
$1200-$1400 seems like a bargain when you consider it might take another $150 for the 'right' wing nut for the top of it!?!?!?!
Regards,
Alan

 

Alan,
I know its like the cherry on the top!
Marshal

 

Correct. As others mentioned, either a 7028209 for a 4spd or 7028216 for auto. I did some searching and the one you have may be for a 1970 truck with 454. Does not appear to be a pricey carb. On the other hand, the correct one for your car can be, if that is something you want. Good thing is in 68 you do not have to worry too much about the date on any carb you find, as they were all dated on the base, which is interchangeable. There are a few members here that have the correct carb for your car. If interested I can get you in touch. Good luck!

 

Automatic.

 

Ok, so thanks to "youz guys" detective work, this seems not to be original. What to do moving forward? Have this one rebuilt or spend the $$ on a better carb? Not in the budget to spend above quoted amounts on matching carb! Thanks again guys for the expertise! I obviously don't have gifted Google search skills adequate enough to answer these questions. ������������

 

The carb shown in the photos is a commercially rebuilt carb pieced together from several other carbs. It is not an original carb in any way, other than having a 1970 350 truck float bowl. It has a 1969 airhorn and 1968 SB choke linkage. It's a mess. I can post photos of a real '68 BB carb if you'd like to see what it should look like - they are quite rare, which is why people put junk like this on Vettes. E-mail me for my "Commercially Rebuilt Carb Problems" paper to gain an understanding of what you have.

Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com

 

Nicole,
There you go.... that's like getting a call from the president.
Lars knows Quads.
Maybe he has a working Quad you could buy and swap out the current one to the shelf in your garage.
I too fell victim the 1st time around and purchased a rebuilt special off on line rebuilder.
It ran like crap and nothing but headaches.
I refused to throw more bad money at this carb and went with a knock off Edelbrock 1901.
Car starts & runs, warms up and does everything its supposed to do now.
I would see if Lars has and spares for rebuilding because you may buy an equally bad one to send him if you do not know what to look for.
Save you pennies if you want the right one.
Swap meets with a trained eye accompanying you may turn up an unmolested carb which would be a suitable candidate for rebuild.
Welcome to owning a one year only car. It a love/hate thing.
Marshal

 

Here are some photos of a 1968 427 Manual Tranny Q-Jet carb number 7028209:

Notice the choke blade screws are close together. This is indicative of an early ’68 carb. Very soon into the '68 production run, and all years after that, the choke screws are farther apart. 1966 - early 68 had the screws close together like this:







Notice the secondary airvalve rod correctly installed. The rod is missing on the OP's carb. The brass inlet fitting on this carb is not "correct": The correct fitting is steel:


Top view showing “doghouse” vent. This was used up through early 1970:


Note the hot idle vent cover in the back of the carb. This was used up through early 68 and discontinued very soon in the '68 model year:


Throttle lever is unique to 1968 - 1-year configuration:


Most unique part of the ’68 BB Vette carb is the choke system: The choke operates backwards from any other engine/carb, and has the choke attach rod forward of the pivot point. The BB carb only uses this “Duckbill” choke with a steel counterweight hanging off the rear - very rare, and difficult to "fake":


Lars

 

impressive knowledge. Hail to the carb expert! Nice!

 

Hope this helps....

 

I'll put together a '68 427 Automatic carb today and post up some photos of it in a bit.
Lars