I need some help with my quadrajunk carb

 

Hey Paul, you probably have the computer controlled (feedback) carb. I had the same and when they work right, there great, but if they don't, they're a POS! I know, I am in the process of buying a new carb. Edelbrock sells replacement Q-jets for about $550ish. Holley also has carbs that will bolt-on for roughly the same price. My problem is that I want a good Holley that doesn't require a spacer plate(hood clearance is the only issue there).Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

I just want the idle to be right and it to start in the morning easily and to stop running rich

 

I was having the same problems with my Quadrapuke last year. All it took was a good cleaning and rebuild for roughly $100.00. The difference was night and day. Be sure to set your AV Tension to clear up any Bogging, and upgrade your Secondary Metering Rods. Your Mechanic should know about the Rods...Dont change the Hangars unless your engine is heavly modded. The difference amazed me..

Quadrajets are very good carbs, but they are far from maintenance free. If you dont rebuild them once and a while you will have nothing but headaches. Oh and BTW Paul. Dirt in you jets will cause the system to run rich...

 

how do i clean the jets?
do i just dump carb cleaner in it?

 

Actually. When you get the carb rebuilt, they strip it right down. They soak the whole dismantaled carb in a solution over night, including the jets, seats, housing etc.. After it has been soaked long enough each part is dryed with compressed air to clean any loose grit away from cracks/corners. Then the carb is rebuilt with all new gaskets, springs,seals, etc.... I really suggest you change the metering rods at the same time. It's a Hundred bucks that make a real big difference on a worn down Quadrapuke..

 

My dad just completely rebuilt my Qjet.... I moved the rods from .43 to .49 and get up to a .79 on the primary side. As for secondaries, I went with DP's on a G hanger. Still working out a bog.... but it's already a billion times better.

 

I've rebuilt several QJets. I really don't like them that much, and would buy a new carb vs having to keep my QJet if I had the $$$. Its not hard to rebuild them. The hardest part I always have trouble with is with the main metering rods. They have a little spring on the top of them, and it always flys off when I try and set the top of the carb back on the main bowl section. You can pick up a carb rebuild kit and some carb cleaner for about $50 bucks. I'd also pick up a manual on rebuilding QJets, if you plan on doing it yourself. You can get them at crappy tire and parts source for $10-15 bucks. Basically stip the carb down, soak it with cleaner, use the new parts in the carb kit to put it back together again. There are some spots you should epoxy as well on the main base plate (intake manifold mating surface part) to keep the base from leaking raw fuel into the manifold. It shows you where to apply the epoxy in the book. Also, the big thing with rebuilding QJets is to check the throttle shafts for wear. You can check it with the carb on the car i think. Take the linkage on the sides of the carb (line it up where the shafts go into the base plate of the carb at the bottom) and try and move it up and down. If there is play up and down, the seals on the throttle shafts are gone, and need to be rebushed to seal properly. You would need someone to do this who has done it before as it can be trickey, from what I have heard. I've never done it myself, so I can't say for sure. Everyone I've talked to say that if it needs new throttle shaft bushings its better to spend the money on a new carb.

As for my carb on my 86 TA, it had some slop in the throttle shafts. I didn't fix it, nor did I epoxy the bottom of the carb, and I noticed a big difference after it was rebuilt over how it was. It did run better, and it did pass an etest, so I'm happy. If you decide to go with an aftermarket carb, I had a Edelbrock 600cfm on my 85 Z28. I really enjoyed it. Easy to work on and make changes to, and made for an excellent daily driver carb.

If you do decide to rebuild the carb, let me know. There are a few tips I can share that will help it getting it setup again after you are done.

 

How can i tell if it is computer controlled and if it is does that matter when i buy a new carb

 

I'm almost 100% sure no Canadian LG4 cars came with the Computer controlled QJet. I've yet to see one anyway, and I've looked at quite a few LG4 cars. Easiest way to tell if its a CCC QJet is that it will have a 3 or 4 pronged wiring connector on the front left of the carb, near the choke assembly, if I remember correctly.

Its easy to id an old style QJet. If your car came with A/C it should have a single wire connecting to a solenoid directly in front of the throttle linkage. There will also be a single wire connecting to the choke assembly. Then, take a look at your distributor. If there is a rubber hose coming out of a silver cone looking thing on the left side (should be in line with the choke side of the carb) of the distributor, this is the vacuum advance hose, which means you have an old style distributor. If your Qjet only has these 2 wires attached to it, with the old style distributor, then its a good ol' fashioned QJet, without computer assistance.

It would matter if you did have the computer controlled carb and you wanted to buy a new one. Its an easy work around though. All you would need would be an old style distributor. The computer that controls the QJet LG4s also adjusts the timing via the distributor. I wouldn't worry though, I'm pretty sure you have the old distributor already. Just get the carb and swap it on!

Hope this helps!

 

Just to make note that I have an '87 Trans Am that was equipped with the feedback carb. Another guy I know in town has an '87 Formula and he also has the feedback. My car was butchered by the moron that had it before me. He replaced the distributor with an old one, and then hooked up the carb to a power source that ended up frying it after I got it. I think they were using a different carb when they e-tested it and then slapped the original back on afterwards. Buyer Beware...I guess.Just thought I would let you know that the only years the C.C.carbs came out were 1986 & 1987. I do not know if they all came with it or not. You had best check it out before you rebuild or buy. Good luck.

 

Kevs87TA is right, if that is your original carb it will be a computer controlled qjet. by the way, if you need your carb rebuilt or want a new one, there is a guy in Hamilton called the Carbman that rebuilds them form 130 bucks, or sells ones that he completely rebuilds for $189.00. he was at the Ancaster swap meet and i saw the ones he was selling. i talked to him for a bit and he was a real nice guy. the carbs he was selling looked great and i'll bet they perform great too. i am sure he will tune them for your specific car too. Heres the contact info:

Carbman

John Shadwell
Hi-Performance & Classics
Hamilton (905) 389-8742

hope this helps.

 

Does the Carbman also do the aftermarket spreadbores such as Holley or Edelbrock? I think I will call tomorrow...or,eh...today now

 

good question there Kevs87TA, i am not sure....i cant remember for sure, but i think he may have had some Carter carbs for sale at Ancaster and some other stuff....i was looking at the Qjets, so i cant remember for sure, but i would think he would likely work on most kind of carbs. If i ever need to buy a new carb i am going to go with the $189.00 Qjet. compared to the prices of other carbs out there (remanufactured or new), that is a great deal.

 

I have been pricing out new and factory remans from Holley and Edelbrock and I am looking at about $400 w/tax for reman and $500-$650 for new.I would like to get a polished carb, just for looks. I will be attempting to do a complete detailing job under the hood and chassis when the weather improves.

 

Hey Paul, If you want to go with a new carb, I just picked one up last night at Brant Performance. It's a Holley 650 dual feed spread bore with the chromed fuel line adaptor for $454.00 w/ tax. It is a reman from Holley, but it was the best buy I could get. I was looking at $400- $450 w/tax for a square bore reman. I would also need a 3/4" spacer plate which could be a problem for the hood clearance.This carb will bolt right on my existing intake and I can expand to an aftermarket intake down the road without worrying about hood clearance. Just thought I would pass this along to you. Brant seems to be pretty reasonable.