If I already have the factory quadrajet from my 1980 would it be acceptable to rebuild for use on a 383 crate motor.I see that Edelbrock makes a 4MV and a high performance performer rpm q-jet. How would these compare to the original q -jet ?

 

I would go with the 4MV
Where is the Edelbrock 4MV available from?
As far as I heard they had stopped production.

 

Thats twice the price of a professional rebuild.
Theres a shop where I live that will build one (no core charge) for $160-$180
The guy is the best around and I have 2 of his carbs that run great .
I would look for a local rebuilder that has a great reputation and save yourself a couple hundred dollars.

The only difference I see in these two photos is about $200

 

so i guess what i was confused about was whether to install a manual or electric choke carb on my car. i have the original q-jet installed. would the choke be hot air? divorced? vacuum?
anyway, what is involved to installing an electric choke carb? i'm going to buy the kit, but isn't there something else i need to install in order for it to work or does that kit have everything to get it working??

 

The performer manifold will accommodate a divorced choke if you spend a few dollars on the block off plate.

 

Why don't you tell us what kind of choke it has. All you need to do is look at it! By the way, what is a vacuum choke?

BigBlockk

Later.....

 

It's been my experience, that anytime you replace a part that is not an identical replacement (that is you replace the rochester quadrajet with a Holley or Edelbrock), then there are other parts that will need to be replaced as well.

Check on the follwing before you make your decision (if it's not already too late).

Will the fuel feed from the fuel pump need to be replaced or altered? I'm sure changes will be required here.

Will the Air Cleaner fit on the new Carb?

Will the linkage from the accelerator pedal to the carb need to be changed?

Is the height of the new carb higher than the origional so that the hood won't close with the air cleaner on it?

Does the new carb have enough vacuum ports to meet all of your engine's requirements --

Are the vacuum ports timed or full vacuum so you can get the right type of vacuum to wherever. If your vacuum advance requies full vacuum and you only have a timed vacuum port available, then you have to compensate in engine timing to make things work out properly.

If you truly want "plug and play" stick with the origonal equitment, but if you don't, be prepared for a certain amount of futzing to finally get everything working properly once the "new" parts are installed.

Good Luck --- and I hope I didn't scare you.

 

BigBlokk...
from looking at my choke it looks like it's vacuum, but i don't know of that being a choice. so i assume what i am looking at is a hot air choke.
i'm not exactly sure- that's why i'm asking.

now, what are advantages of divorced chokes?
thanks

 

This is a divorced choke setup (Spring thermostat, hot air)



This is an electric choke





Both serve the same purpose
I believe the electric is easier to adjust but both are very simple, the divorced requires bending a rod while the electric requires loosening a few screws and rotating the choke cover. The electric also has a heater built in and requires 12Volts to operate.

Personally, I would stick with whatever came installed on the car or what came installed the current carb if it is not the stock unit.

A manual choke would be the "Old style" you may have seen on much older cars with a cable running from the choke linkage on the carb, through the firewall and mounted on the dash somewhere allowing the driver to control it by pushing the cable in or pulling it out....... very basic.

 

If you can't even identify the style of choke mechanism you shouldn't be working on this. You're in over your head. You need to get some books on the subject so you can learn your way around the landscape.

I'm not trying to be an ***, just stating fact. If you can't identify the choke mechanism you have no business changing parts on this car. You're going to screw it up.

Please, don't do any break work!

BigBlockk

Later.....

 

They quoted me $400 to rebuild the Qjet for my 1980 !!! I now run a Edelbrock.

 

 

Funny, that's how much q-jets from edelbrock cost new.

$400 to rebuild a carburetor is outrageous. Lars can apparently do it in like 15 minutes, so they oughtta be able to do it in less than an hour, if they have at least half a brain. I hate companies that pull that kinda bs. Hell it cost me $400 to have my q-jet rebuilt and dyno tuned just over a year ago.

 

Bob Onit, thanks for the pictures. they helped me out a lot.
i'm just not quite used to the looks of the choke on a carb. i'm not planning on doing the work myself, but i have a friend who will do it for me it i get all the parts rounded up.
thank you to all for your input, and i'm pretty sure i'll have more questions as i go along.
andrew