C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Quadrajet Help, Please

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 10, 2013 | 09:20 PM
  #1  
Hans4real's Avatar
Hans4real
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater FL
Default Quadrajet Help, Please

After installling new 3" exhaust in my '71 BB, I wanted to do a little jetting to fine tune a prefectly good running car. Well, what is the old saying (can hear my father's voice right now), don't fix what ain't broke, it's so true. Old carb, disassemble, reassemble = not so good results, leaking and poor running. After several additional disassemble - reassemble sessions, plus a rebuild kit, I finally got it to run about as well as before I started messing with it. Yet one condition will not go away, when I hit the brakes hard it wants to stall like it is flooding out. And when it does stall I have to hold it WFO to get it to start again so, I think it is getting a big dose of gas some how during deacceleration. When it fires back up a black puff of smoke floats out the back. Any clues or suggestions on where to start the fix from my fellow Quardajet brothers (or sisters) would be much appreciated.
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2013 | 10:41 PM
  #2  
gve's Avatar
gve
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 479
From: Appleton Wisconsin
Default

I would try lowering the float level a little, its flooding from the high gas level in the bowl.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2013 | 09:18 AM
  #3  
gcusmano74's Avatar
gcusmano74
Drifting
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Default

Yes. Sounds like it.
How new is the float?
Brass or plastic?
Try lowering the float a bit. Maybe 1/8" below where you are now.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2013 | 09:22 AM
  #4  
Street Rat's Avatar
Street Rat
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Default

Contact Lars here on the forum. He is the Quadrajet guru around here.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2013 | 06:50 PM
  #5  
Shark Racer's Avatar
Shark Racer
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Default

Make sure your float level is to spec; lars recommends .375" for a 4M carb and .420 for an M4M. (Yours should be a 4M)

Also, verify that the needle clip for the needle is attached to the hump on the float arm, on the side of the float arm between the float arm and the float itself. If it is in one of the holes the needle may not seat correctly and cause flooding.

What did you change while you were in there, aside from replacing gaskets and hitting stuff with carb cleaner?
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 01:54 AM
  #6  
jimboscarbs's Avatar
jimboscarbs
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Springdale Arkansas
Default float level

Float level,

also float level affects fuel curve...

lowering the float level will also lean the overall performance up a bit
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 11:17 AM
  #7  
Hans4real's Avatar
Hans4real
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater FL
Default

Originally Posted by Shark Racer
Make sure your float level is to spec; lars recommends .375" for a 4M carb and .420 for an M4M. (Yours should be a 4M)

Also, verify that the needle clip for the needle is attached to the hump on the float arm, on the side of the float arm between the float arm and the float itself. If it is in one of the holes the needle may not seat correctly and cause flooding.

What did you change while you were in there, aside from replacing gaskets and hitting stuff with carb cleaner?
First, thank you for all the replies. After further inspection, It looks like the top plate is bent. With a flat edge there was a gap of about 1/16th of an inch at the center when placed flat. Did my best to bring it back true with the vise and some manipulation but can't exactly tell if it is totally flat again. Looks close. I think until this is resolved it's hard to say if the because it not completely flat if that is my issue. I'm going to try and find a thicker top gasket as the new one in the rebuild kit is real thin, crap from local parts store.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 02:58 PM
  #8  
Shark Racer's Avatar
Shark Racer
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Default

Contact Cliff at Cliff's High Performance. Have your carburetor part number on hand, he sells a thick gasket that works great!
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 04:54 PM
  #9  
Hans4real's Avatar
Hans4real
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater FL
Default

Originally Posted by gcusmano74
Yes. Sounds like it.
How new is the float?
Brass or plastic?
Try lowering the float a bit. Maybe 1/8" below where you are now.
It about 10 years old and is plastic. I've tried lowering it but doesn't help. In my previous post I noted the airhorn is/was bent. Looking to add a thicker gasket to make the next attempt to cure.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Quadrajet Help, Please





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:25 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE