I need a new carb for my 455. But right now its just a stock 455 and i don't have the money to do a complete build up for a killer street motor. I'm gonna have to buy parts one at a time as the money becomes available to me. And everyone says that Buicks love big carbs so what cfm Q-jet should i get? 750,800,850? I plan on eventually making a real runner out of it so should i just go ahead and get a big carb now to save money in the long run or will it be too big for street use? Any help would be great. Thanks, C.J.
Pick up a 800cfm carb from a 72 and up 455. If built right they can handle a pretty stout 455. I went through the same scenario that your in. Stock 400 now but stout 455 coming in the future. When my 750cfm carb went out I bought a 800cfm carb from Norm Dihle. This carb went low 12's on a stock appearing GS and idles like a dream on my stock 400. Maybe pick up a decent core and have John Osbourne or Norm build one for you. Both of these guys come very recomended on this board.
and how much is it for one of those famous rebuilds? I can pick up a new carb from the parts store for around $100.
todd is right on, no matter what the application, your carb should be tailored to the application, professional carb builders know how to tailor the circuits to your combination. another option is doing it yourself. the rochester carb book is a little hard to digest but with a couple of practice carbs and some patience you can do the work yourself and it is much more gratifying. good luck
Q Jets Cake walk. The Q Jet is one of the most basic carburetors. the key is if you get a used one make sure it never seen the weather and stick with a 71-72 800 CFM piece. I can rebuild a Q jet blindfolded and can prove it. AL
C.J. do yourself a favor and stay away from "parts" store Q-jets. I know the price seems right but I've seen on several occasions those carbs being pieced together with mismatched parts or even the wrong parts. I picked up a running 455 out of a 72 Riv at a junkyard with a freshly rebuilt Q-jet on top. This thing looked brand new and even had the sticker on it showing the date of the rebuild. My brother borrowed the carb to put on his GS and it started to act up. We live by Norm Dihle so he came over to take a look at it for my brother. He took one look at the carb and knew why it wouldn't idle well. The body was a 72 350 casting the top plate was from a 75 350 and the bottom plate was from a 72 455. All this from a parts store rebuild. I think Norms carbs go for a little over $200 with a rebuildable core if I'm not mistaken. Not sure about John Osbourne but probably in the same ballpark.
Excellent advise!! Rebuild, or have rebuilt your 455's core carb. Or if you don't have one, find a REAL big-block Buick QJ!
I agree that it is best to pick up a good used core. We offer custom Q-Jet rebuilding. Our carb expert has been building winning stock and super stock style Q-jets since there inception. We charge $189.99 for our custom HP rebuilds.
Similar price? Any idea how much more cfm can be had from an 800cfm TQ? Not looking to remove choke though. Thanks.
Carburetor Rebuild Another option would be "The Carb Doctor". He is the best I know on Q-Jets. If you need his adress it is ClassicCarb@aol.com Good Luck AL :Smarty:
