1980 vette carb?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
1980 vette carb?
I have been looking for a vette and I finally found one. If everything goes through on their side I will be very happy. Also, corvettes are a new adventure for me so I am new but learning.
While inspecting the car I realized there is a fuel leak between the carb and fuel line inlet. If I am correct the carb is a quadrajet and are prone to have the housing cracked. My question is should I buy a stock replacement carb or go with a holley/edelbrock? Everything on the car is stock. I just want to make sure I won't have a problem with any of the vacuum stuff.
Over time I want to build the car up but that will take time. For right now I just need to have it as a nice daily driver.
Thanks
While inspecting the car I realized there is a fuel leak between the carb and fuel line inlet. If I am correct the carb is a quadrajet and are prone to have the housing cracked. My question is should I buy a stock replacement carb or go with a holley/edelbrock? Everything on the car is stock. I just want to make sure I won't have a problem with any of the vacuum stuff.
Over time I want to build the car up but that will take time. For right now I just need to have it as a nice daily driver.
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 15,007
Likes: 2
While inspecting the car I realized there is a fuel leak between the carb and fuel line inlet. If I am correct the carb is a quadrajet and are prone to have the housing cracked.
For right now I just need to have it as a nice daily driver.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 11
From: Omaha ne
i would agree with the others in keeping the quadrajet.
As far as the leak goes, if you get the car the first thing to do is esatblish why it's leaking. It could be anything from a loose fitting to a more serious cracked, stripped housing etc.
What the root cause is will determine the best way to fix it. Good luck and by all means keep us posted if you get the car
As far as the leak goes, if you get the car the first thing to do is esatblish why it's leaking. It could be anything from a loose fitting to a more serious cracked, stripped housing etc.
What the root cause is will determine the best way to fix it. Good luck and by all means keep us posted if you get the car
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
Yep, I have to agree with yall too. I am going to buy a new one just in case. The car is about two hours from my house. I test drove it and everything the other day and just waiting for them to get title. However, from the looks of it the carb has been leaking for a while without them knowing. I will try and tighten the fitting and all that but will buy another carb just in case. If I don't need the new carb I can return it.
Hopefully it will all work out! Excited!
Hopefully it will all work out! Excited!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,373
Likes: 6,370
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
You can't buy new Q-Jet carbs, and chances of finding a good used 1980 are remote at best - all the "rebuilt" carbs are pure junk and should be avoided (for a complete rundown on "rebuilt" carbs, send me an e-mail request for my "Commercial Q-Jet Problems" paper). Fix what you have. If the inlet is stripped, I can fix it for you.
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
Last edited by lars; Nov 15, 2009 at 09:06 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Great advice! Even if you do decide to change it out, don't get rid of that Q-Jet!
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,373
Likes: 6,370
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
I've run C3s and C4s as daily drivers for many years, racking up 110 miles per day on the cars in all weather conditions, including snow. My current C4 has 350,000 miles on the original (not rebuilt) engine and drivetrain. No problem. I'm pretty good at rebuilding trailing arm bearings and replacing half shafts now, but the C3 and C4 Vettes are the most reliable daily drivers I've ever owned, and I run the heck out of 'em. There is nothing special about a Vette - They're just plain ol' Chevys with a kit car body and an independent rear suspension. No reason not to drive one every day.
Lars
Lars
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,305
Likes: 9
From: Weston FL
I've run C3s and C4s as daily drivers for many years, racking up 110 miles per day on the cars in all weather conditions, including snow. My current C4 has 350,000 miles on the original (not rebuilt) engine and drivetrain. No problem. I'm pretty good at rebuilding trailing arm bearings and replacing half shafts now, but the C3 and C4 Vettes are the most reliable daily drivers I've ever owned, and I run the heck out of 'em. There is nothing special about a Vette - They're just plain ol' Chevys with a kit car body and an independent rear suspension. No reason not to drive one every day.
Lars
Lars
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
with the two posts above yosshimura. Plus, if it breaks down I can fix it. My Explorer broke down and its suppose to be new and reliable....guess I was lied to 
It has been about a week now and I still have not had the time to fix it. Shop wants way to much money for the work and I would have to tow it 40miles. An old car is just the same but easier to work on IMO. None of that stupid "check engine" light and all that electronic stuff. Plus, its a chevy... can't go wrong with an American made chevy
As for the O/D install a 200r4 tranny or if you have ~3k get the tremec 5spd conversion kit. For 4 years I drove a 85 monte carlo everyday. Two years had a nice 350 with TH350 and I drove it hard everyday. Got ~12mpg... same mpg as my explorer but the explorer has 1/4 of the power.
Also, you can't beat the way an old car feels. The new cars don't feel the same. Plus, why have a car payment? I rather spend 500-800/month on my vette than a new car payment. Heck at $500 a month over 5yrs = 30k! You know what you could do to your car for 30k!
Okay, just my 3 cents!
Last edited by glarior; Nov 17, 2009 at 09:57 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 140
From: Western New York
Well, I'm going to go against the grain, here, and say go with a new Holley. I went over to the "dark side" back in 1976 while racing street stocks and modifieds. Talk to other performance car drivers in your area and at your local speed shop and you'll get different answers than you will here. The Q-jet is a good carb, but they are outdated. If you need a major part, you'll have to try and find a used one somewhere. If you're worried about originality, put the old Q-jet on a shelf for somewhere down the road, and stick a new Holley on your Vette.
I put a Holley double-pumper on back in 1976 and shelved the Q-jet. It was a direct replacement spreadbore #6772 and, I'll tell you, the difference in throttle response from idle to wide open was like night and day.
Currently, I'm running a Holley square bore 650 cfm #4777 on a performer manifold and I have absolutely no complaints. If I change something and need a gasket, jets, power valve, etc. all I have to do is stop at a speed shop or parts store. Try that with a Q-jet.
Good luck with whatever choice you make. In the end, it's still on the best car going, a C3 Vette!
I put a Holley double-pumper on back in 1976 and shelved the Q-jet. It was a direct replacement spreadbore #6772 and, I'll tell you, the difference in throttle response from idle to wide open was like night and day.
Currently, I'm running a Holley square bore 650 cfm #4777 on a performer manifold and I have absolutely no complaints. If I change something and need a gasket, jets, power valve, etc. all I have to do is stop at a speed shop or parts store. Try that with a Q-jet.
Good luck with whatever choice you make. In the end, it's still on the best car going, a C3 Vette!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Franksville Wisconsin
Oh, I didn't mean it as is in unreliable, just that the C3 is an older car, no overdrive for the highway, not as comfy as new car... just my opinion... I tried daily driving my 87 Grand National and hated it, lol, best left for the wknd.. slow pwr windows, a/c doesn't blow as cold as my other car, afraid to get in it with dirty feet., etc..lol ...
Had this C3 since Aug 1st this year and have been left broke down twice and hobbled back once. It's not that these are unreliable cars, but age is catching up with them.After going over it and still doing so over winter hope to put many mile on next summer.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 3
From: Buffalo New York
You can't buy new Q-Jet carbs, and chances of finding a good used 1980 are remote at best - all the "rebuilt" carbs are pure junk and should be avoided (for a complete rundown on "rebuilt" carbs, send me an e-mail request for my "Commercial Q-Jet Problems" paper). Fix what you have. If the inlet is stripped, I can fix it for you.
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
