Carburetor recommendation

[Fredo90]

I have an '85 Chevy C20 with a 350 5.7. I'm going to be doing an engine swap for another more powerful 350, but I also need a new carburetor cause my rochester has had it. I was looking for recommendations for another carburetor to replace it. This is just my daily I'm not gonna be running this thing into the ground. Appreciate the help in advance.

 

[Paladin]

Get a HOLLEY!!!!!

 

[Snoots]

^^^We KNEW that wuz coming!

 

[Grumpy]

Questions you need to answer for yourself:
-What is the AVERAGE RPM you will be running at?
If you are going to be averaging around the middle third of your RPM range, then a smaller carb will provide better response at the expense of the top end. If you are going to beat it like a rented mule, look for a larger CFM capacity.
-Are you one who is comfortable adjusting timing, carburetors and anything else on the engine and transmission? (changing carb brands may also require new TV brackets)
Personally, I prefer the Holley for the fine tuning I am comfortable doing on a regular basis.
There is nothing wrong with Carter, Edelbrock or Rochester. If this is a daily driver and you aren't flogging it regularly, rebuild the Rochester and purchase some metering rods and arms to fine tune. A good parts person at a GM dealer should be able to cross reference the older engines with horsepower ratings to conclude with a Rochester number, then pull down the list to research the jet size, rods and levers...... this will get you very close to the base, not just the ball park. Spend a bit of book time looking at others' combinations and see what works; money is hard enough to come by without unnecessary spending.

 

[Finkaire]

Hi,
you are in California, I’m interested in how this turns out

 

[Fredo90]

Questions you need to answer for yourself:
-What is the AVERAGE RPM you will be running at?
If you are going to be averaging around the middle third of your RPM range, then a smaller carb will provide better response at the expense of the top end. If you are going to beat it like a rented mule, look for a larger CFM capacity.
-Are you one who is comfortable adjusting timing, carburetors and anything else on the engine and transmission? (changing carb brands may also require new TV brackets)
Personally, I prefer the Holley for the fine tuning I am comfortable doing on a regular basis.
There is nothing wrong with Carter, Edelbrock or Rochester. If this is a daily driver and you aren't flogging it regularly, rebuild the Rochester and purchase some metering rods and arms to fine tune. A good parts person at a GM dealer should be able to cross reference the older engines with horsepower ratings to conclude with a Rochester number, then pull down the list to research the jet size, rods and levers...... this will get you very close to the base, not just the ball park. Spend a bit of book time looking at others' combinations and see what works; money is hard enough to come by without unnecessary spending.

Like I said this is my daily and I'm not pushing it at all. Fastest I go in this thing is maybe 65 on the freeway otherwise I'm cruising everywhere around 30 or 40. I haven't seen the tachometer pass 3000rpm. This is my very first Carburetor. I've never messed with them in my life but I have been trying to learn about them and the more I learn the more I realize how poor a shape it's in. It's also missing pieces which I didn't know originally cause I knew nothing about them. As it stands I just need something that's more focused towards relatively simple maintenance and fuel economy. I have considered just getting a rebuilt Rochester online or taking mine in but the cost for a rebuild is comparable, if not more to a brand new Edlebrock or Holley. I am learning more everyday like I said so hopefully in the future it won't be out of the realm of possibilities to work on my own carb but for now I need something affordable and reliable.

 

[Fredo90]

Hi,
you are in California, I’m interested in how this turns out

Yeah that's the other thing is it doesn't pass smog with my current set up. A lot of what I've seen isn't set up for egr.

 

[Fredo90]

Get a HOLLEY!!!!!

Any particular one you like?

 

[Turbo4whl]

Get a HOLLEY!!!!!

Any particular one you like?

Good pick for a Holley on the GM spreadbore stock manifold is a 9895. Very tuneable and will pass emissions when set up correctly.

This carb has vacuum operated secondaries for smooth transition on a street truck. It also has an electric choke and ports for all the emissions. Brackets are available for auto transmissions, 700R4 or TH350C if needed.

Holley used to make spreadbore 650 CFM carbs that were model specific, but since these trucks are all 30 plus years old there are less specific choices.

Holley 9895 (click)

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[Snoots]

Like I said this is my daily and I'm not pushing it at all. Fastest I go in this thing is maybe 65 on the freeway otherwise I'm cruising everywhere around 30 or 40. I haven't seen the tachometer pass 3000rpm. This is my very first Carburetor. I've never messed with them in my life but I have been trying to learn about them and the more I learn the more I realize how poor a shape it's in. It's also missing pieces which I didn't know originally cause I knew nothing about them. As it stands I just need something that's more focused towards relatively simple maintenance and fuel economy. I have considered just getting a rebuilt Rochester online or taking mine in but the cost for a rebuild is comparable, if not more to a brand new Edlebrock or Holley. I am learning more everyday like I said so hopefully in the future it won't be out of the realm of possibilities to work on my own carb but for now I need something affordable and reliable.

I can't say it enough, Cliff Ruggles book!

 

[Finkaire]

C.A.R.B. Compliant?

 

[Matt69olds]

If you want it to run well, and run right, get a Q-Jet. If you want to have to fool with it all the time, put on a Holley.

 

[Finkaire]

Hi,
C.A.R.B. Compliant?
Went to the Edelbrock booth at Hot August Nights a couple years ago. They said there was all kinds of products to make my Stepside run better. I told them I was from California and was told, sorry, can’t help you.

 

[Turbo4whl]

If you want it to run well, and run right, get a Q-Jet. If you want to have to fool with it all the time, put on a Holley.

He has a Quadrajet, and it doesn't run right. The Holley 9895 will run right, right out of the box.

With a little tweak of the idle mixture screws it will pass the California Air Research Board. Heck, my '82 Q-jet had plugs you needed to drill out for the mixture screws, then you need a double-D tool to adjust them.

Not all of us have a box of assorted Q-Jet metering rods and jets. Good luck trying to buy a good rebuilt Q-Jet.

When I bought my 9895 in 1982, I ran it on the turbocharged 305 for 80,000 miles. When I swapped in the 402, I did re-jet it and swapped the secondary spring. Then I ran it 200,000 miles. Yes I did fool with it changing the fuel filter once in awhile. Oh, passed PA emissions every year too!

 

[Fredo90]

Hi,
C.A.R.B. Compliant?
Went to the Edelbrock booth at Hot August Nights a couple years ago. They said there was all kinds of products to make my Stepside run better. I told them I was from California and was told, sorry, can’t help you.

Yeah that's what I need. It seems like most everyone isn't worried about it so it's making it difficult to find