Carburator
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 150
From: Forth Worth TX
A properly rebuilt and tuned Quadrajet is all that your car needs. Installing an Edelbrock will not increase HP or performance.
Last edited by Revi; Aug 26, 2016 at 02:27 PM.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I'm a new owner of my dream car. Just starting to learn the ins and outs. Is there a limiter on the tax after 4500 rpms.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You mean 'tachs' ? No, there is nothing that should prevent the tach from reading correctly. But, the tachometer could have an internal problem, the drive cable could be worn, or the worm gear in the distributor could be shot.
If the engine just won't rev past 4500 rpm, it is probable that the secondaries in your carburetor are not opening at all...either because the throttle cable/linkage/accel pedal are not allowing the carb to open fully, or because the secondary lock-out tab on the carb is not releasing when the choke is fully open.
If the engine just won't rev past 4500 rpm, it is probable that the secondaries in your carburetor are not opening at all...either because the throttle cable/linkage/accel pedal are not allowing the carb to open fully, or because the secondary lock-out tab on the carb is not releasing when the choke is fully open.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Aug 27, 2016 at 05:29 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 150
From: Forth Worth TX
One item that you can check is to make sure the secondaries are opening as they should.
With the engine off, remove the air cleaner assembly, manually hold the choke open, manually hold open the air valve and have someone push the accelerator all of the way to the floor. Look down into the secondaries and see if they are opening all of the way. If not, adjust the throttle cable as needed.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
It is easiest to change the fuel pump by jacking up the right-front and removing that wheel. Access is much better. You also want to burp the engine over to where there is minimal load on the fuel pump actuator arm (actuated by cam lobe). You can get it OFF, ok; but putting it back on with load on the arm is tough.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I've done a ton of dyno testing on the engines that I build, and for every dyno run, we always bring several carbs with us to test on each engine combo. On the dyno, each carb tested is verified to be set up correctly, and air\fuel ratios are all set identically on each carb to produce best power and torque curves. Consistently, and without exception, the Carter AFB carbs (aka, "Edelbrock Performer"), of the same cfm rating, will run at power levels about 10-15 hp below a correctly set up Q-Jet or Holley-type carb. So I never use them on a performance engine - there are better choices.
However, let me say this: There are a lot of very badly set up Q-Jets (including the dreaded Commercially Rebuilt Carbs) out there. The EDL "Performer" carbs are set up to run reasonably well right out of the box. If you don't have a carb for your car, or if your Q-Jet is screwed up beyond all help, the use of a "Performer" is a quick and easy way to get the car running reliably. It won't be optimum, but it will start and run with no issues and no special tuning required. If peak performance is not your agenda, and you just need to get the car running with a modestly-priced new carb, the "Performer" may be a good solution for you.
However, let me say this: There are a lot of very badly set up Q-Jets (including the dreaded Commercially Rebuilt Carbs) out there. The EDL "Performer" carbs are set up to run reasonably well right out of the box. If you don't have a carb for your car, or if your Q-Jet is screwed up beyond all help, the use of a "Performer" is a quick and easy way to get the car running reliably. It won't be optimum, but it will start and run with no issues and no special tuning required. If peak performance is not your agenda, and you just need to get the car running with a modestly-priced new carb, the "Performer" may be a good solution for you.
Le Mans Master
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