Best Carb suggestions?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
Best Carb suggestions?
What is best choice for a stock 71 bb 4-speed? Holley and Jeggs search for 4165 comes up with model 6210 w/mechanical secondaries? Holley site listed another spreadbore with vac secondaries with a number of 0-80555 but the jeggs site has no results for that number.. are Edlebrock carbs any good? Any others? I just want good dependable performance with a stock engine. I have 3 junk carbs here I have messed with all summer and it still wont run. Any specific part #s or links would be great! Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: central FL, near the beach.
read about it at my site http://community-2.webtv.net/MATTGRU/carb/page2.html
U won't miss the qjet.
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 593
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From: London England
I've fitted Carter/Edelbrock carbs to a lightly modified 350 Vette and a highly modified Chrysler 318 and found them to be excellent. IMO they're more forgiving of different states of engine tune, not requiring the same 'dialling in' as Holleys, but then I'm no Holley specialist.
If it were me I'd be looking at something like the 750cfm Performer.
The only possible issue is depending on which manifold you use, you may have to use an adapter plate which reduces hood clearance slightly, but again, that depends on what air cleaner you're running.
If it were me I'd be looking at something like the 750cfm Performer.
The only possible issue is depending on which manifold you use, you may have to use an adapter plate which reduces hood clearance slightly, but again, that depends on what air cleaner you're running.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
I have the factory intake for a spreadbore and not a big fan of adaptors. I'm not sure if edlebrock fits that or not.
Matt I read your page, I ended up reading several of your pages, alot of it over my head but it sounds like the 4165 would be a good choice. Is that the only spreadbore holley makes? and is that base gasket you mention on your page something different than what would come with the carb? Also Matt, would I need to make those changes to a new 4165 for a stock motor? This car wont see much WOT very often and as long as it will get up and go, and not stumble and fall flat on its face that will be good enough for me.
And to anybody, you cant buy a new q-jet, is that correct?
Matt I read your page, I ended up reading several of your pages, alot of it over my head but it sounds like the 4165 would be a good choice. Is that the only spreadbore holley makes? and is that base gasket you mention on your page something different than what would come with the carb? Also Matt, would I need to make those changes to a new 4165 for a stock motor? This car wont see much WOT very often and as long as it will get up and go, and not stumble and fall flat on its face that will be good enough for me.
And to anybody, you cant buy a new q-jet, is that correct?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 486
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Racer
Joined: May 2006
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From: Fort Myers, Fl / St. Paul, Mn
FUEL INJECTION
Same problem here.
If it runs good, as it sometimes does, it stinks up the garage AND the living quarters of the 'higher authority'.
I don't need any more trouble there so I'm going to fuel injection. The added benefit will be a smooth running engine with the correct air/fuel mixture all the time.
It does cost more than a carburetor but less than the 3 Quadrajets and 1 Holley that I now have.
Same problem here.
If it runs good, as it sometimes does, it stinks up the garage AND the living quarters of the 'higher authority'.
I don't need any more trouble there so I'm going to fuel injection. The added benefit will be a smooth running engine with the correct air/fuel mixture all the time.
It does cost more than a carburetor but less than the 3 Quadrajets and 1 Holley that I now have.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
My vote is for Qjet, but yeah finding right jets, and primary/secondary metering rods that match your application can be difficult (but not impossible). I was able to find the factory correct parts for my '70 SB without too much trouble.
But remember 90% of carb troubles are usually IGNITION troubles, I got my factory correct rebuilt Qjet installed only to find that it was actually worn out points/condenser and wrong heat range spark plugs that were actually causing my problems, but now she purrs like a kitten and screams like Armageddon when I get on her!!!
I know it is tempting to rip off the old stuff and replace it with new stuff, but once you get to know the original parts and understand them the car will run great.
But remember 90% of carb troubles are usually IGNITION troubles, I got my factory correct rebuilt Qjet installed only to find that it was actually worn out points/condenser and wrong heat range spark plugs that were actually causing my problems, but now she purrs like a kitten and screams like Armageddon when I get on her!!!
I know it is tempting to rip off the old stuff and replace it with new stuff, but once you get to know the original parts and understand them the car will run great.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Believe it or not, I have been running a q-jet I bought from Auto zone, I bought the one that was listed for my car. I put it on and it ran great. I put about 10k miles on it in 3yrs and it always ran perfect. I even dynoed it on a chasis dyno, verified the secondaries worked and the air fuel curve was dead on at 12.9-1. I am not saying run out and spend $165 on a cheapy reman qjet from Auto zone but, that's what I did and it worked out well for me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
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From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
I couldn't get the Q-jet to quit lagging. I bought the 4175 Holley Spread bore 0-8555 did the basic Lars holley tune. It runs excellent and I really havn't had to touch it since installing it 18 months ago. I always want to try and fiddle with it but it really hasn't wandered off. I recommend!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 380
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From: Glendale AZ
I have all 3 for my 78. A Holly Single Pump, Edelbrock and Quadrajet.
My pick has been the Edelbrock because of it's complete simplicity. There are no common issues with them leaking from what I have been able to turn up and changing jets and rods is a complete snap. I'd probably pin it as the most reliable.
Holleys are a pretty close second for ease of adjustability.
I think it really boils down to what you can get a deal on.
With the issues that plague 30+ year old castings I would shelve the Quadrajet and go with what you know will work.
For what it's worth the Checker/Oriely Hub stores car a full range of jets and metering rods for Holleys and Edelbrocks.
Quadrajet parts are a bit harder to come by these days.
My pick has been the Edelbrock because of it's complete simplicity. There are no common issues with them leaking from what I have been able to turn up and changing jets and rods is a complete snap. I'd probably pin it as the most reliable.
Holleys are a pretty close second for ease of adjustability.
I think it really boils down to what you can get a deal on.
With the issues that plague 30+ year old castings I would shelve the Quadrajet and go with what you know will work.
For what it's worth the Checker/Oriely Hub stores car a full range of jets and metering rods for Holleys and Edelbrocks.
Quadrajet parts are a bit harder to come by these days.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,042
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From: central FL, near the beach.
u dont have to follow my tips; i ran it for years stock. But, it is easy to rejet the rear if u like, someday when u get bored, for closer WOT.
As for what gasket? Do u have a working heat riser? I haven't used carb heat in decades. U'd need like what was on the qjet, w/stainless steel to keep fumes off.
That heat could of melted the epoxy on the old carb. It didn't boil in summer?
Last edited by Matt Gruber; Dec 3, 2009 at 04:21 AM.