Folks,

Any assistance would be appreciated!

1) Carb which came on the car is a new Edelbrock 1902 (not sure why he didn't put the one on - 1901 - for the 1973 cars...) like you can get from Summit (basically a Rochester built under license to Edelbrock for the 1974-1978 cars. I just went to the Edelbrock website per some great feedback from AlwaysWave. Stock specs on that carb are: Main Jet 0.069", Metering Rods: Primary-36B, Secondary-DR. The car smokes a bit when secondaries kick in. I think maybe a bit rich, need leaner metering rods... In the dark ages, I used to use Urban's Carburetor Shop in SoCal. He would get your car data, and your elevation above sea level, and then send you a kit with new main jets, springs, metering rods, etc... Urban's may no longer do this. Any leads on who could spec out the parts I need?

2) Any clues on how to finish off the carpet just behind the seats? My carpet is from Auto Accessories of America - and my car came with no carpet, so I can't just copy what I pulled out! I think you tuck the vertical piece in behind the seats and then fold the sides over to stuff under the rocker panel trim. This seems to give a godd finished appearance, but I want to be surew before I finalize putting all the screws in on the storage compartment.

3) I get an intermittant glowing of the right-turn signal indicator (and concurrent dimming of all the dash instrument lights) only when I turn on the headlights. A few "taps" on the dash over the tach and all returns to normal - for a little while. Then the right turn signal indicator begins to glow brighter (constant). When I signal a right turn the signal operates normally (i.e. the indicator flashes on and off). I reached in from the middle with the instrument console out and I checked around the tach head, touching some wires. Just gentle touching of the wire to the top center instrument (tach) bulb made the fault go away intermittantly with touch. Could the wire be shorted - or the bulb bad? Thoughts before I pull out the left panel?

4) I get some rubbing up front in turns with the tires as per my sig. I am hoping that replacing the OE front springs at the same time I put in the reconditioned A-arms will solve it. Everyone says that these are the stock size tires. Am I headed for continued frustration? My ride height seems a tad low all the way around. Will raising that back to stock (and how do I ensure that I am at stock ride height) solve this? I find no marks on the tires, so I don't know exactly what is rubbing. Where do I look?

This is a fun project that is coming together - what a car!

Thanks!


[Modified by Wardog, 2:33 PM 9/30/2002]

 

For #1 , try this http://edelbrock.com/automotive/index.html

Edelbrock has a tech question email on their website. Pretty sure you can get the carb manual and getting jets and rods is no problem.

 

AlwaysWave,

After reading your reply, I corrected several part number errors in my post and then added a 4th question. Your advice has helped as I now have carb specs and a copy of the installation instructions - more than just an unfamiliar part bolted on my car when I picked it up. Thanks!

 

On the tire question, 265/60 is not the stock size. You're getting the rubbing because the 265 is too wide. The widest that shouldfit without rubbing is 255/60.

Shannon

 

there is an intermitent short in the lighting wiring. that's why the turn sig glows

 

I'm a intellectual who said the tire size wrong - I have 255/60R15's on my car! I got new front springs and 4 new shocks. Perhaps the new springs will raise the front end up enough to avoid the rubs?

Thanks!

 

A little info on the Q-Jet for a 73-454. Stock Q-Jet's used 77's jets, 50b rods and DR secondaries. This combo seems to work well on the 73-454 that I have. Excess smoke when you jump on it may be the secondaries opening too soon before RPM's are up and dumping too much fuel. How does it feel when the secondaries open? Smooth, boging, or a surge all of a sudden? Consider adjusting the air door opeing rate.

The 1901 with 69's and 36 rods is too lean for 454. It runs fine on 327's and 350's. Lars's went through a buildup I have and used 76's, 44 rods and DA secondaries. Runs well.

Suggest you go to the FAQ's and get Lars paper on Q-Jet tuning. In fact I will try emailing it to you to save some time. Good luck.

 

A couple of minor points. Stock tire size in 73 was GR70-15. Is that close to a 225/70 in pmetric size?

The Qjet that came on a 73 454 with 4spd came with 77 jets and 48 primary rods. The carb on the automatic cars had 50 primary rods. The edelbrock jetting gives a metering area at cruise that is right between those two. Lars recommends a good starting point as the original setup, so you might want to start with 77 jets and 48 rods. You can get the Edelbrock parts (jets and rods) from Summit. I have purchased AC Delco rods from my local Chevy dealer (They order the parts for me after I give them the part#). I bought an assortment of jets from carbs unlimited. MJ


[Modified by MNJack, 12:15 AM 10/15/2002]

 

I think the GR-70 is close to the P225/70 R15. Later C3 Vettes routinely listed 255/60R15 as their stock size. My car is mechanically the same down at the wheel/suspension level, is it not? BigVette1 just sent me an excellent paper on tuning the Q-Jet. Many thanks!