Which Carb?
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Which Carb?
I recently rescued a 1970 Corvette convertable w/ a 350/4 speed. It needs EVERYTHING because previous owner totally neglected it, its been sitting for 20 years, the last 3 outside in the NY weather. Way too many bad points to list (rust and spiders everywhere, a dead raccoon was found under the hood and it ate a couple of yellow plug wires, moldy carpets, etc) but the motor turns over, and its all there original w/ 90,000 miles. The oil is clean, the sticker on the door shows that oil only has 1 mile on it since it was changed (albeit in 1991). Its going in my buds shop for a couple of days only, not for a restoration but just to get it running (and stopping) so I can bring it home for a long-term evaluation and basic going over. First thing to be done is drain the gas tank completely. I really am on a budget. The carb looks positively toast; any suggestions which replacement carb should I purchase new thats reasonably priced and ez to install and tune? My short-term goal is just to get it running again; it will never be a concours restoration, just a functional driver.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
My dear friend, I want to welcome you to our little forum and let you know that in your first post you have dug up one of the most controversial topics we have.
IF you are sincearly on a budget, then most will likely reccomend rebuilding the original quadrajet if possible.
However, if upon disassembly and thorough inspection you find irreperable damage to the stock carb, I would recommend a Holley to replace it.
If you can, please post some pictures of your new love and the carb that has you worried.
Best regards,
IF you are sincearly on a budget, then most will likely reccomend rebuilding the original quadrajet if possible.
However, if upon disassembly and thorough inspection you find irreperable damage to the stock carb, I would recommend a Holley to replace it.
If you can, please post some pictures of your new love and the carb that has you worried.
Best regards,
Last edited by johnt365; May 20, 2012 at 11:55 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,380
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
If it's the original Q-Jet and it "looks like toast," it's probably a perfectly preserved original carb that would be an excellent candidate for a nice rebuild - it's seldom that you see nice original carbs like that, so keep it and fix it. If you need assistance with it, I can rebuild it, set it up, and test it for you. You can send me an e-mail for my Services Info Sheet.
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 911
Likes: 5
From: TN
70's carbruator
736cc it was mentioned by a poster of a Holley replacement. I replaced my 1968's Q-Jet with a Holley 6210 650 spreadbore double pumper in 1974 and still driving it today with the same Holley. The Holley 6210 spreadbore is still sold by Holley today. I like the 6210 double pumper because I have absolute complete control of the throttle application from idle to WOT.
Lars posting of his offer to rebuild your 70's carb is something to do to keep the original carb on your 70 if it is the original. From what I have read Lars does expert professional rebuilds.
I also put the same Holley 6210 650 spreadbore double pumper on my 1970 Corvette in 1974. I could not use the spreadbore on the ZZ crate engine that I installed because the aluminum intake on the ZZ crate required a square bore type carb in which I used a Holley 650 double pumper.
A new spreadbore Holley will cost you more than than what I paid for the ones in 1974. $64.00 apiece.
Lars posting of his offer to rebuild your 70's carb is something to do to keep the original carb on your 70 if it is the original. From what I have read Lars does expert professional rebuilds.
I also put the same Holley 6210 650 spreadbore double pumper on my 1970 Corvette in 1974. I could not use the spreadbore on the ZZ crate engine that I installed because the aluminum intake on the ZZ crate required a square bore type carb in which I used a Holley 650 double pumper.
A new spreadbore Holley will cost you more than than what I paid for the ones in 1974. $64.00 apiece.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
I decline to jump into the rebuild/replace carb fray. But I would like to comment on this engine oil issue:
No matter how tight your budget is, replace the oil and filter ASAP. Having only 1 mile of run time on it means nothing. It has had 20+ years of exposure to the elements sitting in the crankcase. It would be way past its shelf life even in its original container. ~5% of motor oil is the additive package which has surely broken down or precipitated out of suspension over all these years. Do not trust it to do its job.
If that car were mine, I'd replace all of its fluids.
If that car were mine, I'd replace all of its fluids.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
On a budget, a copy of this, an over the counter rebuild kit, and some carb cleaner will be cheaper than a replacement carburetor.
Lars made an offer you should seriously consider. He's an expert with Q-Jets.
Lars made an offer you should seriously consider. He's an expert with Q-Jets.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Send it to Lars.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Maybe Lars (or somebody else here) has a good, bolt-on used carb I can buy so I can get this puppy fired-up? As for the carb on the car presently, I'll post pics to find out if its original or not. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell a q-jet from a q-tip LOL
Last edited by 736cc; May 22, 2012 at 02:21 PM. Reason: add pic
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
That's funny! I think Lars used to keep a loaner on hand but I'm not sure if he still does. Shipping costs from Colorado to wherever you are may make that option too expensive for you but it can't hurt to look into it. Lars is the man if he can do the work for you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
If you are interested in preserving the value of that car ('70 owner here myself) verify that the carb that is on it is the original one. If it is, send it to Lars. You do not yet know what a kind and gracious offer he has made you...most guys here practically BEG him to solve their carb woes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
http://vetteprojects.com/kstyer/quadrajet.htm
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
with sitting that long, the carb is one of your lesser concerns.. you'll need brakes, battery, tires, exhaust, hangers, all hoses and lines, replace all fliuds, gaskets, major tuneup, including wires, plus the carb rebuild.
find out why it was parked.. engine/tranny/clutch scattered? there is usually a reason.
do a compression test to test the engine basics before you spend alot of money.
find out why it was parked.. engine/tranny/clutch scattered? there is usually a reason.
do a compression test to test the engine basics before you spend alot of money.
