Carb... Holley, Q-Jet, Carter?

[skid2964]

I need carb suggestions.

I like Q-Jets, but have not seen a viable solution for intake manifolds for AMC's using Q-Jets.

I also like Holley's, but they can be a pain.

I hear Carter's should be avoided for off-road use, but they are very simple to deal with. The Edelbrock carbs appear to be Carter carbs.

I will use on 275 to 325HP 401 in my 79 Cherokee for light off-road use and daily driving. I will be using a mild cam - 209 dur @.050

[joe]

Originally posted by skid2964:
I like Q-Jets, but have not seen a viable solution for intake manifolds for AMC's using Q-Jets.Mr Gasket/Moon makes an adapter to bolt the Rochester Qjet to a stock AMC 4v manifold. That's the combo that my 72 360 is running. Works well.

[ February 16, 2004, 01:48 PM: Message edited by: -joe ]

[PhilSine]

Skid, I beat you to the most recent carb post in the General Discussion area. I'm going to buy a new carb too and it seems that Q-Jets are the best all-around carb for off-roading, mpg, and low end power. Check out the replies I got on my thread.

Carburetor Recommendations (http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=020619)

[Cecil14]

There isn't an adapter to go from the ford spreadbore to the q-jet, least not that I've been able to find. There is a couple to go from squarebore to q-jet.

You can get an older squarebore stock manifold or an aftermarket one.

Anthony

[carrotman]

You can make an adapter from plywood. The go fast magazines have recommended this for years. The plywood doesn't conduct heat, can be made for any combination, can be any thickness, and can be made for pennies. Use a Motorcraft 4350 gasket for the base template and a quadrajet gasket for the carb template. Don't make one big opening, make four. Use a drill to drill all four holes, and a file to smooth the transition.

[jode]

Tornado flow carb spacers?!?! :eek:

How bout some plywood!?!?!!

Eat your heart out tongue.gif

[AMX factor]

I've done some hefty off roading and I use the Edel 1400/Carter AFB carb. Never had a problem. I don't even have the off road needle and seat combo in it. I would liek to try a Q-jet someday but until then I'm very happy with my Carter AFB clone.

[jode]

My Carter AFB will stall out on even the slightest of angles - it is the worst POS I have ever installed on my truck. I hate it, it lets me down right at the moments when I need it most. Worthless carb IMHO

[AMX factor]

Give you $10 and an FSJ tee shirt for it Jode!

[carrotman]

Most carbs have a safety valve. When you are at such an angle that the floats don't work, then the oil might not be at the oil pickup. Engine will shut off to protect itself. At least the Carter's do.

[Smooshy]

Q-jet - awesome off road smile.gif

Holley - Can be made to do well offroad and the best for power :D

Edelb - never had much luck :(

[jode]

AMX - I have a better idea - I'll trade you even steven - my Carter AFB for a Holley Truck Avenger :D

carrotman - I'd like to find that valve with my BFH.

Even on the minor angle shown in this image, my truck was flooding out and I was having to constantly pump the throttle and restart it to keep her going...I remember the old MC4350 days when I could drive her up onto a rock so the rear bumper was on the ground and I could stand on the bumper with my back against the rock and the carb never stumbled...now that was some offroad performance
http://www.ashurstfamily.com/~joe/JoesTempFiles/Nov12003.jpg

[TexasJ10]

I don't want to hijack this, but since the q-jet is frequently recommended, how do you tell which ones have the lower CFM, and which ones are the best for FSJ's? Q-jets come in a lot versions and configurations.

[Rogue]

qjets came in two sizes only

only way to tell is with part number

a front inlet fuel line instead of the side inlet is a good indicator that it may be the big one ( don't remember off the top of my head i think its 780 cfm for the small one and 825 for the big one but don't quote me on that )

personally i'd find an electric choke and single pull off version

so....blonde, brunnete or redhead?

[ February 16, 2004, 10:31 PM: Message edited by: Rogue ]

[Cecil14]

Q-jets came in two sizes, 750 and 795. You can tell by looking inside the primaries. The 750s have an extra ridge if I remember correctly. You'll be able to see the difference if you can get one of each side by side.

The best part about the q-jet is the overall size doesn't really matter. The secondaries will only kick in if your motor wants the gas. This means you can put it on even a 258 or smaller motor, tune the primaries in and it will basically run as a two barrel.

Anthony

[skid2964]

Originally posted by jode:
AMX - I have a better idea - I'll trade you even steven - my Carter AFB for a Holley Truck Avenger :D

carrotman - I'd like to find that valve with my BFH.

Even on the minor angle shown in this image, my truck was flooding out and I was having to constantly pump the throttle and restart it to keep her going...I remember the old MC4350 days when I could drive her up onto a rock so the rear bumper was on the ground and I could stand on the bumper with my back against the rock and the carb never stumbled...now that was some offroad performance
So the MC4350 works well? What CFM where those?

[ February 17, 2004, 06:58 AM: Message edited by: skid2964 ]

[jode]

The MC4350 worked amazing! (Don S can testify :D ) I seriously never had a need for fuel injection with that thing. I had that thing where I could swear it would go over sideways, I had it nearly standing on end and NEVER had it even stumble...I can't say much for the overall power though...once I swapped to the performer intake and Carter, street power was GREATLY improved. Dunno if it was the manifold or the carb though :(
All I know is that I did trails with that MC4350 that I could not even attempt now with the Carter. That angle in the pic above wouldn't have even touched the ol' MC 4350, but it nearly stopped me in my tracks with the Carter. Also, the Carter has gotten my stuck in a ditch before where I got it tilted over to the side and couldn't keep the engine going - had to be pulled out by my bro's XJ. The Carter has also failed me in frontal assaults to where the stupid thing wouldn't keep going when things got a little steep. I seriously would swap back to a MC4350 any day if I could find a decent intake manifold to put it on and if I could find one that didn't leak (which is the reason I had to swap mine out in the first place) if I had known how crappy they were offroad back then, I don't think I would have gotten one.

[skid2964]

The 78 Cherokee I dragged home the other day appears to have a MC4350 on it. I assume this is a strange bolt pattern that will not fit on anything but its original intake?

[jode]

That sounds like it...but don't try to rebuild it :rolleyes: all the ones I have opened became warped instantaneously and never resealed. That's why I had to switch.

So - does this mean that your 78 has the 401? :D

[skid2964]

Originally posted by jode:
That sounds like it...but don't try to rebuild it :rolleyes: all the ones I have opened became warped instantaneously and never resealed. That's why I had to switch.

So - does this mean that your 78 has the 401? :D No, the '78 is the "P" code, 360 with 4bbl(original).

My '79 has a transplanted 401, but with the 2bbl.

[ February 17, 2004, 08:39 AM: Message edited by: skid2964 ]

[shredby4]

I had my MC4350 rebuilt and it works very well. It does leak however. But it leaked before I had the work done. I have been wondering about removing the top and putting a little gasket shellac around the mating surfaces to see if it would stop. Don't if that's a smart idea though. :eek:

I have heard that Offenhauser makes a replacement manifold for AMC that is built for a Q-jet. I think it's around $250. Try calling Jegs or Summit. I just can't remember who actually has it.

I'm planning on switching to a Q-jet when my 4350 dies. The Holley Truck Avenger is just too expensive.

[jode]

I JBwelded all the way around the mating surface once...it worked - but then when the carb wasn't working right, I was screwed. It was kinda a last resort thing though, so it didn't hurt my feelings when I tossed the whole thing :eek: redface.gif