Building up my 77
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: iowa
Building up my 77
i have a 1977 vette with a 350 and im trying to sell it but i want to build it up before i sell it so i can have some fun with it if it doesnt sell right away and possibly get some more money out of it. i want to get a new eldebrock carb, bigger intake, new heads, and headers. i havent had much experience with engines but i could probably accomplish putting these parts on it. i need to know what to cover up on my engine after i take the parts off, size of carb i should buy, size of intake i should buy and the most preferred headers i should put on m vette. and i would also like to be informed of any little things i could also do to my vette to make it run faster and stronger. if someone could also explain the best way to take off and replace these parts for me that would be greatly appreciated. let me know what you think.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: bethpage NY
if you're looking for a quick semi cheap build i would look into a full top end kit you don't want to dump money into it you wont recoup just my .02
maybe something like this
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2099/
maybe something like this
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2099/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
If you're going to sell it, do just that as is and move on. If it's a keeper you're wanting to make your own, then let the fun begin. Even then, with your little engine building knowledge, probably an engine swap and exhaust work at first to get your feet warm. Thing's can get real tricky after this if you don't know what you're doing, not to mention the tool investment required. I've assembled a few engine's, file fitting ring's, cam degreeing, ext, but still far from an expert. Sound's like you're barely at the starter stage, but can be fun learning if you've got the time.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 263
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From: bethpage NY
file fitting rings is really really time consuming and critical i did mine a few weeks ago and messed up the first set... and there not cheap either 
i think it took me longer to install the rotating assembly than the rest of the motor. and don't forget about all the plastigauging and clearance checks 
i think it took me longer to install the rotating assembly than the rest of the motor. and don't forget about all the plastigauging and clearance checks
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
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From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
If you're going to sell it, do just that as is and move on. If it's a keeper you're wanting to make your own, then let the fun begin. Even then, with your little engine building knowledge, probably an engine swap and exhaust work at first to get your feet warm. Thing's can get real tricky after this if you don't know what you're doing, not to mention the tool investment required. I've assembled a few engine's, file fitting ring's, cam degreeing, ext, but still far from an expert. Sound's like you're barely at the starter stage, but can be fun learning if you've got the time.
Why are you replacing carb? What's on your vette now?
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 59
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From: Newburgh in
if you're looking for a quick semi cheap build i would look into a full top end kit you don't want to dump money into it you wont recoup just my .02
maybe something like this
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2099/
maybe something like this
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2099/
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 97
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From: iowa
im replacing the carb because it is the stock quadrajet and the price to rebuild that one would be the same as buying a new one. so id rather have a new one and more power. im still gonna give the old quadrajet to the buyer so they can rebuild it if they want to. any suggestions on what kind of eldebrock carb i should get?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Start with spelling Edelbrock correctly ... it will help your search. If the 77 runs well with the Q-jet now, a simple carb change alone might be a waste of money. If there are driveability issues with the current carb: which are not related to things like a baseline tune-up, or compression issues...I would lean toward finding a good carb guy to fix the Rochester. It would probably cost less, and make equal power.. or more.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Has anyone done any diagnostic work aside from listening to it and pronouncing the carb as bad? Compression/leakdown check? Is the converter still there/clogged/collapsed? Plugs, wires, air filter all in good shape? Heat riser not stuck closed? Fuel pump/lines and filter working and not plugged with crud? EGR valve either functional or properly blocked off? Distributor/rotor/cap not worn/corroded and advance mechanism works properly? No vacuum leaks (there's about 100 vac lines in there)?
Any combination of the above faults can cause the car to run poorly, and should be addressed and eliminated as causes before you spend any money on carburetion. You can do much of this yourself using a shop manual, and spending a bit of time in the garage at small cost. The forum is here to help if you have questions along the way!
Any combination of the above faults can cause the car to run poorly, and should be addressed and eliminated as causes before you spend any money on carburetion. You can do much of this yourself using a shop manual, and spending a bit of time in the garage at small cost. The forum is here to help if you have questions along the way!
Last edited by markids77; Nov 11, 2010 at 11:13 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: iowa
well i work 5-7 days a week and go to school full time and i dont have my own garage bay to tear it down. i want to get rid of it, thats all. ive been told by several mechanics and they have told me its the carb. i would love to strip it down, clean it all, put a different carb, heads, and a bigger intake and headers but i do not want to put more money into it because im already in the hole with it. i just need a suggestion on what carb to get.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
A 650CFM spreadbore with vacuum secondaries and an electric choke would be a good replacement. That probably means you'll end up with a Holley since I believe all current Edelbrocks are square bore. If you insist on spending the money on a carb which might not make the car run any better than it does right now, search Summit or Jeg's online catalogs for a "quadrajet replacement" bolt on deal. There might be cheaper places to shop, but both outfits offer terrific customer service if you have issues.
I hope the new part solves your power problem, let us know how that works out for you.
I hope the new part solves your power problem, let us know how that works out for you.
