Is it worth it?

[Doug T.]

Hi again. My truck, 87 w250, 360 eng. has a quadrajet carb on it. It's oozing and runs rough. It definitly needs a rebuild. My question is this: Would I be better off getting a holley with an edelbrock manifold and be done with it? Will I notice a difference between the two? It's $500.00 dollars I really don't have and this isn't going to be a race truck. Or should I stay stock and just rebuild the quadrajet? I've heard some horror stories about the quad and don't want to waste my time if it's a losing battle. Thanks again. :WHT:

[GHS]

It's only one opinion, but I wouldn't waste 5 minutes or $5 on a Quadrajet. FWIW, I wouldn't get a Holley for a daily driver either. They are great if you want to race and modify them for performance, but for daily driving, give me a Carter/Edelbrock. You just install it and drive.

[Speed Dragon]

+1

Get a Carter. Either a ThermoQuad, which will bolt on to the stock intake, or an AFB, with either an adapter plate for the stock intacke, or get a Performer or Performer RPM intake to go with it.

[gsmagnum]

I have a Performer RPM on my 400 with a 750 Performer carb on it and really like it.
I would however, try rebuilding the quadrajet first.
It is probably only $25 for the kit and that isn't a whole lot to be out if it doesn't pan out.
Alot of guys love those damn things for angles and dangles.
My bet is it is as much of a pain as a TQ for me to tune, but I would try it anyway.

[75 Power Wagon]

how about a nice Holley Truck Avenger carb... they are great for offroading..

[Chump]

Try rebuilding the QJ. The 2 biggest problem areas are the well plugs leak and the floats are nitrophyl(plastic) and over the years they will absorb fuel and sink. When the sink they keep the needle and seat open and this floods the engine. Here's a how-to on the well plugs...
http://ramchargercentral.com/index.php?action=howtoshow;id=6

[gsmagnum]

The nice thing about the rebuild attempt is that you know it is a last ditch effort and you can use that to justify the new parts if you have a significant other or a nagging concience that needs that justification to spend $500+.
If you do change the intake and carb, it will cost closer to $600 with gaskets, studs, linkage items, possible kickdown cable.

[vestpuzzle1]

I'd go with the rebuild. Chump is right, the float is probably sticking....R.V.

[Doug T.]

Thanks for the replies guys. That article on sealing is great. That describes perfectly one of the problems my truck has after it sits for a few days. It takes forever to start. I will do the rebuild and let you know.