Register now to get rid of these ads!

Technical Qjet or Edelbrock?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Scumdog, Oct 17, 2019.

  1. Scumdog
    Joined: Mar 3, 2010
    Posts: 630

    Scumdog
    Member

    Ok, going to change the Smokey SBC in the ot truck.
    It already has Edelbrock manifold and carb but I also have a fully rebuilt Qjet and manifold.

    What would be best for drivability and economy?
     
  2. I'd use the Qjet. Just keep your foot out of it for fuel economy. Those secondaries can suck a gas pump dry.
     
    Nailhead Jason and Deuces like this.
  3. Never liked the q jets. I would use the Carter AFB
     
  4. G-son
    Joined: Dec 19, 2012
    Posts: 1,276

    G-son
    Member
    from Sweden

    Whatever carb you can and will spend the time to adjust correctly has good chances of working well. The Q-jet was good enough for many car manufacturers for ages, so it's probably good enough for you too.
     
    belair, papadaddio and Deuces like this.

  5. Deuces
    Joined: Nov 3, 2009
    Posts: 23,752

    Deuces

    Q-jet....... ;)
     
    papadaddio likes this.
  6. OLDSMAN
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 2,422

    OLDSMAN
    BANNED

    Edelebrock is my choice
     
    Montana1 likes this.
  7. carbking
    Joined: Dec 20, 2008
    Posts: 3,715

    carbking
    Member

    No absolute answer, it depends on your desires.

    If your engine is mostly stock and you want maximum driveability, fuel economy, and horsepower as well as reliability; then the Q-Jet is the answer.

    If you want to be the koolest kat at the drive-in with the hood open, then, depending on the experience of the viewers, maybe the clone is for you.

    Regardless of which you choose, use a manifold designed for that style (spread-bore - Q-Jet, or square-bore - most of the clones). Never mix manifold styles and carburetor styles using an adapter.

    Jon.
     
    egads, Blues4U, arkiehotrods and 7 others like this.
  8. Q-Jet for sure. I have a so-so relationship rebuilding them, but a local shop does a great job on them.
     
    Deuces likes this.
  9. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,814

    BJR
    Member

    Q jet for sure. They came stock on Cadillacs and many other cars. If it was good enough for Cadillacs with 500 cubic engines it's good enough for me. Good drivability and performance.
     
    Deuces, bill gruendeman and belair like this.
  10. If it's going to be a hot rod, then I would choose the Edelbrock.
     
  11. Terrible80
    Joined: Oct 1, 2010
    Posts: 785

    Terrible80
    Member

  12. Elcohaulic
    Joined: Dec 27, 2017
    Posts: 2,212

    Elcohaulic

    Quadrajet.

    Never could tune that cornering stumble out of those AFBs. Our roads hear are very steep and curvy..

    What ever you chose, use the intake manifold that was designed for it instead of spacers..
     
    Deuces likes this.
  13. Did you find out what was wrong with the engine currently in it?
     
  14. carbking
    Joined: Dec 20, 2008
    Posts: 3,715

    carbking
    Member

    RJP - just read your variation on the glass 1/2 full parable in your signature.

    The variation I like is:

    The pessimist sees the glass as half empty
    The optimist sees the glass as half full
    The engineer simply designs and builds a glass of the proper size.

    Jon.
     
  15. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a quadrajet carburetor as long as it's properly tuned and in good condition but they can be a major pain when it comes to rebuilding, not everyone can rebuild a quadrajet carburetor and get good performance.

    I have had good success with them in the past but since I am not one that want's to be fiddling with a carburetor I started using Edelbrock's more than 20 years ago and I have been well satisfied. HRP
     
  16. Tri-power37
    Joined: Feb 10, 2019
    Posts: 510

    Tri-power37
    Member

    I have only used edelbrock carbs for 20+ years on a 58 Edsel and a 63 Cadillac -so I can not comment much about quadrajet carburetors. But the edelbrocks never seem to give any trouble especially after sitting for long periods .I started the Cadillac after sitting for 5 years this summer - dribbled some gas down the carburetor fired it up and drove all summer. Never gave any trouble. And that carburetor is 15+ years old.
     
    6sally6 and Montana1 like this.
  17. scrappybunch
    Joined: Nov 16, 2011
    Posts: 412

    scrappybunch
    Member
    from nj

    Q-jet. And tune it with a wide band A/F ratio monitor. The part throttle ratio is easy to adjust. Fuel economy will improve.
     
    bobss396 likes this.
  18. AHotRod
    Joined: Jul 27, 2001
    Posts: 12,216

    AHotRod
    Member

    Q-Jet for the Win !
    Been using them all my life.
     
    Deuces and scrappybunch like this.
  19. I ran in a stock car class, the rules were no Holley 4-barrels. I ran a Holley 2-barrel with success, but a lot of guys ran Q-Jets and the cars were fast. If they are set up right, they are as smooth as silk. Carter used to re-pop them around 1975 or so and the $$ was very right.
     
    scrappybunch likes this.
  20. Q-Jet would be the best all around, I believe. That is, if you like to tinker and tune a bit til you get it right for your application. Those things were used on everything from a 230 ci OHC six to a 500 Cadillac, so there's a lot of variations in them.
    Once you get it right, you shouldn't have to mess with it. The secondary flapper spring might loosen up after a while, if you use it a lot.
     
    Truck64 likes this.
  21. lostone
    Joined: Oct 13, 2013
    Posts: 2,820

    lostone
    Member
    from kansas

    Qjet here too.

    Built them for yrs, everything from stock to dual qjets on a 350 tunnel ram.

    Played with edelbrock and quickly understood why the qjets replaced the afb carb.
     
    AHotRod likes this.
  22. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 5,216

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

    Qjet -one of the most efficient best designed ,most used and.....most disrespected , abused , maligned carbs ever built...
     
  23. Q-jet for a driver
    Holley for a drag car
    Idelbricks for carrying lawn chairs to the monthly cruise night
     
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2019
    INVISIBLEKID, jvo and Deuces like this.
  24. slack
    Joined: Aug 18, 2014
    Posts: 543

    slack
    Member

  25. Scumdog
    Joined: Mar 3, 2010
    Posts: 630

    Scumdog
    Member

    Nah, still taking it out of the truck.
    Vac modulator good, under valve covers clean so at the moment I suspect it's plain wore out.
     
  26. I would run a Qjet, but I’ve had great success rebuilding them. The only problem I’ve come across is the throttle shaft bushings getting worn out in the base plate.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    BJR likes this.
  27. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,814

    BJR
    Member

    X2
     
    Truckdoctor Andy likes this.
  28. Black_Sheep
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 1,446

    Black_Sheep
    Member

    I've always had good success with Q-Jets... 51357631_2004356099601861_8767528878349484032_n.jpg
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.