Q-jet Carb question
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Puyallup WA
Q-jet Carb question
I am a new and first time Vette owner and just picked up a '80 vette that is in good running condition. The current Q-jet carb seems to have a few minor issues right now though, and I'd like to learn how to rebuild it myself.... or fix the problem.... but want to pick up a spare / replacement carb just in case I screw it up.
I found one for sale for a good price, but it came off a '77 Corvette. I can't find any info on the two to find out if they are the same Carb and if that one would work in my '80?
Thanks to any help you can give me. I've been reading this forum for about a month now, and there are some great people here that are very helpful. I look forward to learning everything I can from you all.
James
I found one for sale for a good price, but it came off a '77 Corvette. I can't find any info on the two to find out if they are the same Carb and if that one would work in my '80?
Thanks to any help you can give me. I've been reading this forum for about a month now, and there are some great people here that are very helpful. I look forward to learning everything I can from you all.
James
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
I'm pretty sure you can use the 77 q-jet on the 80 vette at least thats what I plan on doing, since my q-jet is long gone. I also have an 80. The only thing I think you will be missing is the electric choke.
I am not a carb guru so I'm not 100% sure. Also, I think the jetting in the carbs are different in those years, so something may have to be done there.
Mike
I am not a carb guru so I'm not 100% sure. Also, I think the jetting in the carbs are different in those years, so something may have to be done there.
Mike
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: NC
The '77 has a hot air choke and the '80 was electric choke. You would need to convert the '77 to electric which would be no problem as it is a common conversion. I sent my carbs to Lars for the rebuilds. I had tried one myself before and it did run but not great. Lars diagnosed several problems, fixed them, and now a have a great running carb.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
For rebuilding your carb, pick up "Rochester Carburetors" by Doug Roe at your book store. It's a great how to manual which I used in rebuilding the one on my '76.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
Its nothing more than taking the top off, replacing the pump, setting the float.
Take the bottom off, replace the gasket.
Put it back on and set the idle/air mixure screws until it idels smooth, set idle and choke and your done.
Hardley worth lots of $$$ to have someone else do it.
Take the bottom off, replace the gasket.
Put it back on and set the idle/air mixure screws until it idels smooth, set idle and choke and your done.
Hardley worth lots of $$$ to have someone else do it.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Its nothing more than taking the top off, replacing the pump, setting the float.
Take the bottom off, replace the gasket.
Put it back on and set the idle/air mixure screws until it idels smooth, set idle and choke and your done.
Hardley worth lots of $$$ to have someone else do it.
Take the bottom off, replace the gasket.
Put it back on and set the idle/air mixure screws until it idels smooth, set idle and choke and your done.
Hardley worth lots of $$$ to have someone else do it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 8
From: Redruth Cornwall
Its nothing more than taking the top off, replacing the pump, setting the float.
Take the bottom off, replace the gasket.
Put it back on and set the idle/air mixure screws until it idels smooth, set idle and choke and your done.
Hardley worth lots of $$$ to have someone else do it.
Take the bottom off, replace the gasket.
Put it back on and set the idle/air mixure screws until it idels smooth, set idle and choke and your done.
Hardley worth lots of $$$ to have someone else do it.
It did go back together easy enough but it didnt work! Bubba had been there before and put on extra seals where they were not needed and missed some where they were!
Also how will he know if the carb he rebuilds has all the correct parts on it to begin with and has not had Bubba bend this or that to make it work? I sent Lars a Qjet he had rebuilt in the past and someone had removed various parts, used incorrect parts and incorrect internals...
I say go for a rebuild but get the books and ask lots of questions if you are not sure.
Lars is the Q jet guru and will be able to help you out...i heard he was away till around the 28th IIRC.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Brattleboro Vermont
q jet
im a firm belever in the q jet would not run any other love the performance if you have no knowledge of carbs you would be better of having some one to rebuild it for you save time money lotts of head aches an yes buy a carb book get a q jet at junk yard tag sale they can be had for cheap money an read an practest knowledge is power power is speed 
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Puyallup WA
Thanks to all!
Thanks everyone for some great information and advice. I just ordered both of those books and plan on doing some reading before I attempt this one on my own. I contacted Lars as well, and will probably have him rebuild mine.... I don't trust myself enough to do the one on my car right now, because I want to make sure I can get in lots of great drives while the weather is still nice.
I'll pick up an old q-jet somewhere though, and try the rebuild on it just so i can learn for next time. That way if I do manage to screw it up, I have my original from Lars that I know will work great. :-)
Thanks again!
James
I'll pick up an old q-jet somewhere though, and try the rebuild on it just so i can learn for next time. That way if I do manage to screw it up, I have my original from Lars that I know will work great. :-)
Thanks again!
James
