Carburetor Help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Carburetor Help
I have an 1980 coupe, L48, 350ci. My mechanic told me that my carburetor was beyond fixing or rebuilding and I should put a new one on it. I want to stay stock, so can anyone tell me what would be the perfect one to buy and where to buy it. Also, how much money should I pay for it?
Now here is the most important question. Can a person with basic mechanic skills do it themselves or should it be left to the pros?
Thanks!
Now here is the most important question. Can a person with basic mechanic skills do it themselves or should it be left to the pros?
Thanks!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 620
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio TX
If you seriously want to keep it stock, I would suggest getting a second opinion from a different mechanic from a different shop. There are few mechanical things that are truly un-rebuildable, given the time and money.
Replacing a carburetor is an easy, straightforward job even without great mechanical skills. As a plus, it can be one of those jobs you do yourself that gives you a great sense of accomplishment once it's done.
Rebuilding the carb itself is more difficult, but can be done. There is a ton of information and resources available here on the forum and elsewhere.
Replacing a carburetor is an easy, straightforward job even without great mechanical skills. As a plus, it can be one of those jobs you do yourself that gives you a great sense of accomplishment once it's done.
Rebuilding the carb itself is more difficult, but can be done. There is a ton of information and resources available here on the forum and elsewhere.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Kent WA
Agreed. Find a new mechanic. Of all the QJets I've rebuilt,
maybe a handfull needed to have the throttle shafts re-bushed.
Other than that, they are very straight-forward, and if you set
them up per specification, they will give you years of trouble-free
service.
The place I go to when I need throttle shafts rebushed charges
$50 bucks for the service.
If you do that, epoxy up the fuel well plugs, and rebuild it per
specifications (get Doug Roe's book), there is no reason why it
shouldn't run like a champ for many miles/years to come.
Bela P. Havasreti
maybe a handfull needed to have the throttle shafts re-bushed.
Other than that, they are very straight-forward, and if you set
them up per specification, they will give you years of trouble-free
service.
The place I go to when I need throttle shafts rebushed charges
$50 bucks for the service.
If you do that, epoxy up the fuel well plugs, and rebuild it per
specifications (get Doug Roe's book), there is no reason why it
shouldn't run like a champ for many miles/years to come.
Bela P. Havasreti
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Here is the story:
I bought the car in Denver and was told by the dealer to have it tuned up for Oklahoma due to it being thin air in Denver. So I took it to a mechanic that a friend suggested. He said a tune-up really wouldn't do any good because he said the carburetor needed rebuilt. So I said ok.
When I went to pick it up, he said he rebuilt it, but the bottom plate wasn't in good shape and can't repair it. He said the carburetor works, but when I give it gas it will hesitate for a second or twoo then take off. I'm sure he told me more, but I'm not a mechanic and really didn't understand what he was saying. I just remember him saying that the only way to eliminate the problem is replace the carburetor.
All I know is the car runs sluggish and hesitates all the time when I accelerate.
Vauble lesson here, if it's not broken leave it alone. Because it really didn't do this before I had it rebuilt.
I need some good advice! What to do?
I bought the car in Denver and was told by the dealer to have it tuned up for Oklahoma due to it being thin air in Denver. So I took it to a mechanic that a friend suggested. He said a tune-up really wouldn't do any good because he said the carburetor needed rebuilt. So I said ok.
When I went to pick it up, he said he rebuilt it, but the bottom plate wasn't in good shape and can't repair it. He said the carburetor works, but when I give it gas it will hesitate for a second or twoo then take off. I'm sure he told me more, but I'm not a mechanic and really didn't understand what he was saying. I just remember him saying that the only way to eliminate the problem is replace the carburetor.
All I know is the car runs sluggish and hesitates all the time when I accelerate.
Vauble lesson here, if it's not broken leave it alone. Because it really didn't do this before I had it rebuilt.
I need some good advice! What to do?
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,024
Likes: 658
From: FL
There is the possibility that the mechanic set the secondary air valve spring too loose. Does it hesitate all the time or just when you floor it (do the secondaries open)?
There has also been an issue with bad pump shot plungers in rebuild kits. They swell and stick so you get no pumpshot, causing a stumble.
Basically, if it ran fine in Denver, it should run fine in OKC. GM sold these cars all over the country without retuning the carbs. At most, it would have just need a small adjustment to the idle mixture screws.
So what can you do:
1) Find a new mechanic. This one is full of
2) Carb work is fairly easy but does take attention to detail.
- Get the book Rochester Carburetors by Doug Roe. Any Barnes and Noble can order it. It has a great section on the Quadrajet and a step by step rebuild with photos.
- Get Lar's tuning paper here:
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/QJetTuningPaper.doc
Lars has forgotten more about Q-Jets than the rest of us will ever know.
Basically, it sounds like the guy screwed up the carb. It can be rebuilt properly and then your car will still be all original.
There has also been an issue with bad pump shot plungers in rebuild kits. They swell and stick so you get no pumpshot, causing a stumble.
Basically, if it ran fine in Denver, it should run fine in OKC. GM sold these cars all over the country without retuning the carbs. At most, it would have just need a small adjustment to the idle mixture screws.
So what can you do:
1) Find a new mechanic. This one is full of
2) Carb work is fairly easy but does take attention to detail.
- Get the book Rochester Carburetors by Doug Roe. Any Barnes and Noble can order it. It has a great section on the Quadrajet and a step by step rebuild with photos.
- Get Lar's tuning paper here:
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/QJetTuningPaper.doc
Lars has forgotten more about Q-Jets than the rest of us will ever know.
Basically, it sounds like the guy screwed up the carb. It can be rebuilt properly and then your car will still be all original.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
He said the carburetor works, but when I give it gas it will hesitate for a second or twoo then take off.
Richen idle mixture- there is limited adj. so you probably can't make it too rich.
Adjust the accel. pump for the most shot.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Have it rebuilt even if you have to send it off somewhere. Just google Q Jet rebuild . The mechanic was just giving advice that made it easy for him if you chose to have him do the repair.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Thanks for all the information.
I failed to mention - when I'm driving a round town around 30 to 40 miles an hour, when I give it gas, it still hesitates sometimes and I have to give it more gas to go. It doesn't do it all the time, but a lot!
I have realized my mechanic messed up my ride, but I can't do anything about it now. I've taken it back to him and he has told me there is nothing he can do.
I will not take it back to him.
Sorry to say, I'm not a mechanic and have to rely on other people. Not to worry though, I'm going to start learning myself.
I failed to mention - when I'm driving a round town around 30 to 40 miles an hour, when I give it gas, it still hesitates sometimes and I have to give it more gas to go. It doesn't do it all the time, but a lot!
I have realized my mechanic messed up my ride, but I can't do anything about it now. I've taken it back to him and he has told me there is nothing he can do.
I will not take it back to him.
Sorry to say, I'm not a mechanic and have to rely on other people. Not to worry though, I'm going to start learning myself.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,024
Likes: 658
From: FL
Originally Posted by wagonerjim
Sorry to say, I'm not a mechanic and have to rely on other people. Not to worry though, I'm going to start learning myself.
The nice thing about having a C3 as a toy is that I don't have to have it fixed by Monday morning.
Just so you know what I went through and how experience grows. I bought my car in 1993, 1999 saw me tuning, replacing radiators, intake, seats. 2001 saw me pull the engine, get it rebuilt, reinstall, new clutch, new tranny. 2003 saw me reassemble the engine (from short block) after another rebuild. 2004 was some basic suspension work. 2005 I finally did brakes (didn't want to kill myself) and a convertible top. Along the way I have done basic body work. Right now, I won't touch anything that requires super special tools (rear bearings for example).
Welcome to the community and have fun.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
Originally Posted by cchristo
If you seriously want to keep it stock, I would suggest getting a second opinion from a different mechanic from a different shop. There are few mechanical things that are truly un-rebuildable, given the time and money.
Replacing a carburetor is an easy, straightforward job even without great mechanical skills. As a plus, it can be one of those jobs you do yourself that gives you a great sense of accomplishment once it's done.
Rebuilding the carb itself is more difficult, but can be done. There is a ton of information and resources available here on the forum and elsewhere.
Replacing a carburetor is an easy, straightforward job even without great mechanical skills. As a plus, it can be one of those jobs you do yourself that gives you a great sense of accomplishment once it's done.
Rebuilding the carb itself is more difficult, but can be done. There is a ton of information and resources available here on the forum and elsewhere.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Thanks Everyone!
I bought the car in January because of what has been done to it. I do not regret it at all.
Luckily the 2nd owner just had the engine rebuilt last year and I have paperwork showing he has pretty much rebuilt the front and rear suspension. The paint job it less than a year old too.
You are right, it's my toy and I don't have to drive it, so here goes. I'm going to roll up my sleeves and go to work.
I HATE not knowing how to fix something. If I can build a house from the ground up, then I know I can start learning how to be a mechanic.
I did by the Chilton Corvette 1963-1982 Repair Manual last night from Barnes and Noble. I will start reading it and getting smart.
I bought the car in January because of what has been done to it. I do not regret it at all.
Luckily the 2nd owner just had the engine rebuilt last year and I have paperwork showing he has pretty much rebuilt the front and rear suspension. The paint job it less than a year old too.
You are right, it's my toy and I don't have to drive it, so here goes. I'm going to roll up my sleeves and go to work.
I HATE not knowing how to fix something. If I can build a house from the ground up, then I know I can start learning how to be a mechanic.
I did by the Chilton Corvette 1963-1982 Repair Manual last night from Barnes and Noble. I will start reading it and getting smart.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,024
Likes: 658
From: FL
Originally Posted by wagonerjim
I did by the Chilton Corvette 1963-1982 Repair Manual last night from Barnes and Noble. I will start reading it and getting smart.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
A guy that can build a house CAN learn to work on old cars. However ... I grew up playing with small block and big block chevys and still cannot drive a nail ! In fact , I couldn't pick out the right nail for the job.
Motivation is the key to success.
Enjoy the Vette and the hobby.
Motivation is the key to success.
Enjoy the Vette and the hobby.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Trust me, if you are a mechanic, then you can certainly build a house. Just like you said, it just takes patience.
My dad was a carpenter and I learned it all from him.
My dad was a carpenter and I learned it all from him.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 620
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio TX
Welcome to the hobby! Just remember that it's just that, a hobby. It's supposed to be fun, even though sometimes it's hard to remember that when you're elbows deep in some oily, rusty mess somewhere under the car on a beautiful saturday morning!
Enjoy it, you don't need to take care of every little problem right now. When frustration starts to set in, walk away for a while then come back with a fresh attitude.
It's all worth it when you are out driving it on a sunny summer day!
Enjoy it, you don't need to take care of every little problem right now. When frustration starts to set in, walk away for a while then come back with a fresh attitude.
It's all worth it when you are out driving it on a sunny summer day!