New to the square body scene

[iservin619]

Hey there fellas my father just passed down his 1984 gmc short bed in hopes I fix it up and get it running real nice. Me and father did a lot of cosmetic things to it as a start but I want to get it real dialed in not cosmetic but mechanically. I’m super new to all this old tech and have no clue where to begin. One of the first things I’d like to do is replace the existing carburetor it has at the moment since it’s been real sluggish and visibly looks dirty as hell. I have lurked on this page for a lot of some minor issues before and I will say it amazes me how much knowledge is spread within this community. Do any of you have any suggestions on what carburetor to look into I have seen debates on quadrajet Holley and Edelbrock but im so new to this I have no clue which one would even fit there’s so many different models. I’m not looking for crazy performance just something that will run smooth with little to no issues and won’t struggle if I do choose to get on the gas. Happy to be a part of the community and i appreciate the help.

 

[brooksman9]

Pretty sharp. I would assume it has a Q-jet on it now if original. If so my suggestion would be to have it rebuilt if that is indeed what it actually needs.

 

[iservin619]

Pretty sharp. I would assume it has a Q-jet on it now if original. If so my suggestion would be to have it rebuilt if that is indeed what it actually needs.

Do they sell rebuilt ones already ?

 

[Shorty81]

Welcome from Ohio

 

[Old Guy Bill]

Welcome!
Great looking truck, thanks for the pic.
Now give us some shots from under the hood…

 

[Donald vonMinden]

Hey there fellas my father just passed down his 1984 gmc short bed in hopes I fix it up and get it running real nice. Me and father did a lot of cosmetic things to it as a start but I want to get it real dialed in not cosmetic but mechanically. I’m super new to all this old tech and have no clue where to begin. One of the first things I’d like to do is replace the existing carburetor it has at the moment since it’s been real sluggish and visibly looks dirty as hell. I have lurked on this page for a lot of some minor issues before and I will say it amazes me how much knowledge is spread within this community. Do any of you have any suggestions on what carburetor to look into I have seen debates on quadrajet Holley and Edelbrock but im so new to this I have no clue which one would even fit there’s so many different models. I’m not looking for crazy performance just something that will run smooth with little to no issues and won’t struggle if I do choose to get on the gas. Happy to be a part of the community and i appreciate the help.

I like the Quadrajet that came on them. Despite looking complicated, are very easy to rebuild.

 

[bucket]

Howdy from Ohio #2!

 

[animal]

 

[Mr Clean]

It really depends on how much you want to spend on a carb. If you are looking for a take yours off, and put on a new. Edelbrock is one of the easier ones. Holley needs fine tuning depending on your location, Edelbrock will need the same. IE. If you live in the mountains you'll need more air. Simple adjustments. If you want more of a newer hit the key and it starts right up. Modern EFI.

 

[legopnuematic]

Welcome from Missouri.

 

[Fitz]

First off, Welcome aboard. Super cool looking truck you have. Like vonMinden said, Q-jets aren't that complicated. Either get that one rebuilt. Or, get on line (Summit Racing, etc.) for a new, or rebuilt one. I know Summit has Q-jets both ways. Been trying out their own (Summit) line of carburetors. Super easy to install. Our youngest son is running one of their 750 CFM carbs on a wildly built little Ford Ranger small block. Much better than the Holley.

 

[carfanatic63]

Welcome from Texas! As others have said, rebuild your current carb. If it's original and a Quadrajet, they aren't that difficult to rebuild.

I got a kit from quadrajet power that included everything and they have videos on how to rebuild so you can follow on step by step easily.

I'm also a Quadrajet fan boy and if someone swapped a different carb on, I would say switch back to qjet. Great throttle response and power delivery and minimal tinkering once it's dialed in.

 

[WFO]

Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.

 

[iservin619]

Welcome!
Great looking truck, thanks for the pic.
Now give us some shots from under the hood…

 

[iservin619]

Pretty sharp. I would assume it has a Q-jet on it now if original. If so my suggestion would be to have it rebuilt if that is indeed what it actually needs.

I’m probably gonna purchase a rebuild kit for this carb and a new carb from edelbrock as well just to test and see which one I like more. Thanks for the help.