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Hesitation at Acceleration

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Old Dec 22, 2006 | 11:09 AM
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Default Hesitation at Acceleration

I just bought a 1978 corvette and about 50% of the time when I go to accelerate there is a slight hesitation; whether I am at a dead stop going to slowly accelerate or accelerate very quickly from a dead stop. Does anyone know what might be causing this problem? I am thinking it might be a vaccuum leak or I just need to replace my carb. Thanks guys!
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Old Dec 22, 2006 | 11:10 AM
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Most likely just a worn accelerator pump. Replace the pump.
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Old Dec 22, 2006 | 11:15 AM
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Thanks! I will eventually get that replaced after I recoop from the holidays and let you know how it works!
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Old Dec 22, 2006 | 11:59 AM
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Hesitation on acceleration usually indicates that the engine isn't getting enough gas as throttle plates open. You mentioned it occurs on slight acceleration. Common problem is slop in the lonkage to the accelerator pump. Make sure there's no play in the linkage & that the pump sprays as soon as the accelerator linkage moves.
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Old Dec 22, 2006 | 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by 75 Hot One
Common problem is slop in the linkage to the accelerator pump.
That's not possible on a Q-Jet.
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Old Dec 22, 2006 | 01:14 PM
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i had the same problem last summer with my Qjet. replaced the accelerator pump and it workes just fine now.
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Old Dec 22, 2006 | 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by lars
Most likely just a worn accelerator pump. Replace the pump.
You may get by with just replacing the accelerator pump cam. That's cheaper and easier than replacing the whole accelerator pump. I had a similar hesitation problem only worse. More gas per squirt helped a LOT. Bigger jets are next because the Holley carb is still not tuned right.
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Old Dec 22, 2006 | 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by MN80Vette
You may get by with just replacing the accelerator pump cam.
Q-Jets don't have pump cams. Replace the pump.
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Old Dec 22, 2006 | 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by lars
That's not possible on a Q-Jet.
Glad to hear there's something good to say about a Quadrajet. Mine showed severe hesitation-no, stumbling-no,complete engine death on acceleration from the day I got it (new). I changed to Holley as soon as I got up enough nerve to do some engine mods.
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Old Dec 22, 2006 | 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by 75 Hot One
Glad to hear there's something good to say about a Quadrajet. Mine showed severe hesitation-no, stumbling-no,complete engine death on acceleration from the day I got it (new). I changed to Holley as soon as I got up enough nerve to do some engine mods.

Newbie.

My q-jet works great. All it takes is some basic knowledge as to how it works and you can fix it. I've decided that most shops seem to have their own opinion on how to work on them and all are pretty much wrong. So from now on the only other person allowed to touch it is Lars or someone that's been taught by lars. The corvette shop near here said to tinker with the secondaries to get more performance from it. I just shook my head and was like "Ok just leave it alone then."

Read Doug Roes book and even the haynes guide and you'll be able to get a grasp on how they work.
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