Hi All, I'm new to these forums and have a question about the quadrajet on my 70 Riviera. I know it needs rebuilding because it most likely has been barely touched since new. This q-jet has three serious problems that I can find. 1. It runs very rough when cold and needs about 10 minutes to warm up before putting it into drive or else the car dies. 2. When letting on or off the throttle too quickly there is a backfire discharge from the carb. 3. It is missing what I think is called the vacuum break to the secondary air valve so that the back air valve never opens at all. The choke mechanism sticks some but otherwise works fine. So, is this carb saveable or is it missing too much stuff? Any help is greatly appreciated, this is my wife's car and admittedly, I'm more used to single barrel VW carbs THX Eric
Your answer depends on how mechanically inclined you are. For 20 bucks, you can get a rebuild kit and try to rebuild the carb yourself. Im sure for 100 - 200 you could send it out and get it rebuilt pretty nicely. for 200 im sure you could get an almost new one or new remainufactured one. Im not really sure. I was spending money on a carb, id spend the 400 and get another demon carb. Backfire could be timing related, so I would check that also. Secondaries are tricky because people think you can have the car in neutral, rev the engine and see them open. That is untrue, there must be a load on the engine for them to open. You could wire them shut, and see if the car drives differently than normal - if it does, then they are working, if it drives the same when you stomp on it, then the secondaries are not opening to begin with. If your not to inclined, id get somebody to rebuild the carb, then plop that back on there with a new fuel filter and check the timing. Good luck, i hope i helped you a bit.
Your Q-Jet is salvageable ! ! If you feel comfortable doing it yourself, there are quality kits available almost everywhere. Any defective vacuum parts should be available as well. A kit, couple cans of Gumout, a gallon of carb cleaner (basket included), a scrub-brush, and a couple of hours and you'll be good as new ! If you need the shafts re-bushed and/or you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, I am sure some of the folks here can give you the names of some highly ranked rebuilders. I've done several Q-Jets over the years. I'm no "expert" but I've also had extremely good results. Good luck. Maybe we can talk you through it?? Scott
Thanks Much! Thanks for your advice everyone. I think I'm going to get a rebuild kit and some help from a friend here in town who knows American cars. I figure if we find out that its trashed after we get it apart then I can still call John in Kentucky. THX Eric (I also do need to check the timing
Carburetor Problems I would not switch your carburetor out because many times you will get a more "fit all" from a aftermarket seller like Auto Zone or Car Quest. Osborn has a good reputation but a little expensive. Your best bet would to rebuild the one you have and they are very easy to rebuild. If you need any pointers PM me, AL.
