Need second opinion - carb and intake
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Need second opinion - carb and intake
Hi,
New to the forum and Vettes in general.
Just purchased a 76 L82, and having some problems with the driving.
The driving is not smooth, especially in low speed. It also smells like a gas station.
The mechanic said that the main problem is the carburetor and he recommended to:
1. Replace to Holley, and not to rebuild the Rochester.
2. Replace the intake to aluminum, since after we install the Holley adaptor, the air cleaner won’t fit under the hood.
Questions:
1. Holley or Edelbrock carb? Which model then?
2. Do I really need to replace the intake? Other than the weight, Will aluminum intake make any improvements?
3. If I keep the stock intake but change the air cleaner to a slim filter, will it fit? which cleaner then?
Thanks!
New to the forum and Vettes in general.
Just purchased a 76 L82, and having some problems with the driving.
The driving is not smooth, especially in low speed. It also smells like a gas station.
The mechanic said that the main problem is the carburetor and he recommended to:
1. Replace to Holley, and not to rebuild the Rochester.
2. Replace the intake to aluminum, since after we install the Holley adaptor, the air cleaner won’t fit under the hood.
Questions:
1. Holley or Edelbrock carb? Which model then?
2. Do I really need to replace the intake? Other than the weight, Will aluminum intake make any improvements?
3. If I keep the stock intake but change the air cleaner to a slim filter, will it fit? which cleaner then?
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Holley makes a carb that is a direct replacement for your Rochester Quadrajet. It is a spread bore unit which does not require an adapter. You can reuse your present manifold.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,959
Likes: 3,353
From: NYC NY
If you bought a car that is all stock and you are looking to keep it that way have the Q-jet rebuilt by someone who knows about them. There are countless forum memebers who are well satisfied with the stock carb after a proper rebuild. The 1st person that comes to mind is Lars. If you do a search using "Lars" you will see what I'm talking about. If you are going go away from stock at least wait till a forum member lists a combination that works. Once you go away from stock you will run into all kinds of issues besides hood clearence like fuel line, throttle cable, choke operation, ect. You get the idea. Don't be in such a hurry that you regret what you did in the 1st place.
Of course this is only my opinion and others will differ.
Welcome to the forum. This place is full of info and opinions. Take advantage of the knowledge and experience. Good luck with your Corvette ownership.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Smelling like a gas station could be ignition misfires, sunk carb float, dirty needle/seat, problems with evap system or broken fuel line.
As for the stock intake, you'll only notice whatever performance gain you get from the weight loss. If there's no problem with the stock intake I'd leave it alone and rebuild the QuadraJet.
Where are you located at? Sometimes nearby members will help.
As for the stock intake, you'll only notice whatever performance gain you get from the weight loss. If there's no problem with the stock intake I'd leave it alone and rebuild the QuadraJet.
Where are you located at? Sometimes nearby members will help.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I'm in Israel. We do have a Corvette community here, and with all the respect to the mechanics here, it's not even close to the knowledge and experience in the states.
Most owners/mechanics here recommended to replace the Qjet, and not rebuild it.
Not sure why.
Most owners/mechanics here recommended to replace the Qjet, and not rebuild it.
Not sure why.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hl...make/chevrolet
If you are willing to convert to an electric choke (easy to do) use this one:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hl...make/chevrolet
Or, send your Q-jet to Lars. I've never heard anybody complain about his work. Never.
Scott
If you are willing to convert to an electric choke (easy to do) use this one:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hl...make/chevrolet
Or, send your Q-jet to Lars. I've never heard anybody complain about his work. Never.
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
He won't even see any weight loss from the intake swap because the L-82 already has an aluminum intake, and a great one at that.
If your mechanic is absolutely anti q-jet and won;t touch it otherwise, go with the holley spreadbore q-jet replacement like already mentioned, and keep the stock intake
If your mechanic is absolutely anti q-jet and won;t touch it otherwise, go with the holley spreadbore q-jet replacement like already mentioned, and keep the stock intake
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
He won't even see any weight loss from the intake swap because the L-82 already has an aluminum intake, and a great one at that.
If your mechanic is absolutely anti q-jet and won;t touch it otherwise, go with the holley spreadbore q-jet replacement like already mentioned, and keep the stock intake
If your mechanic is absolutely anti q-jet and won;t touch it otherwise, go with the holley spreadbore q-jet replacement like already mentioned, and keep the stock intake
The suggestion to contact Lars concerning a rebuild is an excellent one! But shipping from Israel to Colorado and back "might" be a little expensive.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Edit: Yikes!! I just went to Summit Racing's website and checked out how much shipping would be to ship a carb to israel. 260 bucks!! Maybe you could get a friend to smuggle it over in his baggage!!
Scott
Last edited by scottyp99; May 11, 2013 at 01:15 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Ok so if you dont want to send your carb to lars, which is what I'd do, get a holley ultra hp 650, being as the engines stock, if your transmission is manual, go double pumper, if its auto go vaccum secondaries. Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 394
Likes: 1
From: Everywhere US
parts replacement is not always the "easy button" .... just get a carb kit and redo your oem unit .... work with you tech there and you'll all learn a bunch .... you'll stay original and be able to help others over there as well in the future .... IMO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
Rebuilding a Quadrajet isn't rocket science. Get the rebuild kit and the paper from Lars and try it.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Shearwater Nova Scotia
For the gas smell specifically
3 rubber hoses at the gas tank (fuel/returnn/evap),
4(?) at the Evap Cannister (replace filter as well)
2 hoses at fuel pump