New to the square body scene

[Strick]

Welcome from the Tarheel State.

HS

 

[iservin619]

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.

How do I know if I’m getting the correct carb? Are they all pretty much universal to a certain year or are there different types models to pick from?

 

[Ricko1966]

Do they sell rebuilt ones already ?

Welcome,you really don't want a rebuilt one as a general rule. The fast food rebuilders take too many one size fits all short cuts and you end up with a carbureator that's not as good as an original. There as of coarse exceptions. I'd trust one from national carbureator or mountain man. I think member @Doppleganger has a rebuild from mountain man he doesn't need. If so compare carbureator numbers and strike a deal. Your original q jet was built and tuned specifically for your truck and your options,not true for the generic demons,holleys,edelbrocks etc. Qjets perform great,are very reliable and deliver good mpg. That's why GM used them new.

 

[iservin619]

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.

After all the replies on the Quadrajet I think I will definitely buy a rebuild kit and attempt to take a stab at it. I am still probably gonna purchase a edelbrock as well to see which one I prefer. Thanks for the replies I gotta pump it up now and get this thing dialed.

 

[iservin619]

Welcome,you really don't want a rebuilt one as a general rule. The fast food rebuilders take too many one size fits all short cuts and you end up with a carbureator that's not as good as an original. There as of coarse exceptions. I'd trust one from national carbureator or mountain man. I think member @Doppleganger has a rebuild from mountain man he doesn't need. If so compare carbureator numbers and strike a deal. Your original q jet was built and tuned specifically for your truck and your options,not true for the generic demons,holleys,edelbrocks etc. Qjets perform great,are very reliable and deliver good mpg. That's why GM used them new.

So before buying any rebuild kit or attempting to rebuild me original I have to make sure the model numbers are correct?

 

[75gmck25]

The specific carburetor number is on the side of the carburetor - for your 80's truck it would be something like 17080213. Then go to a good supplier and get a rebuild kit for that specific carburetor so that it has the right gaskets and other internal parts.

Cliff Ruggles at cliffshighperformance.com is a great source for a rebuild kit and parts (and his book on the Quadrajet) .

 

[iservin619]

Welcome,you really don't want a rebuilt one as a general rule. The fast food rebuilders take too many one size fits all short cuts and you end up with a carbureator that's not as good as an original. There as of coarse exceptions. I'd trust one from national carbureator or mountain man. I think member @Doppleganger has a rebuild from mountain man he doesn't need. If so compare carbureator numbers and strike a deal. Your original q jet was built and tuned specifically for your truck and your options,not true for the generic demons,holleys,edelbrocks etc. Qjets perform great,are very reliable and deliver good mpg. That's why GM used them new.

Is mountain man a member or a supplier I can order from?