carburation questions

[macguyver]

I have a rebuilt 360 with the Edelbrock Performer series cam and intake manifold. I have put a Carter 625 CFM performer series carb on it. The carb is currently in it's stock configuration. What I am wondering is if I need to change anything on the carb to take full advantage of this cam/intake setup? The motor is real strong but it seems like I should be getting more out of it in the 0-60 MPH range. Top end strength is just fine but it seems a little slow off the line. I know these things aren't known for dragstrip performance but it sure seems like I could get some more. (BTW- all plugs, wires, dist, etc.. are new and the timing is set to it's best performance right now)
Thanks,
Macguyver

[porkchop]

What tires and gears are you running? That has A LOT to do with power. There are some on the board here that say that the Edelbrock cam is too close to stock and does not do anything for them. I went with the summit cam and got great results.

[jeepbob]

What kind of carb is the Carter? is it a quadrajet or an AFB? If it is anquadrajet, good luck getting parts to change the rods and jets and good luck getting it right if you do find them. If it is an AFB there are a lot of stuff out there to get it right.
You don't say what your gearing is, but I am inclined to agree with PC in that is prolly the problem. As one who tried the Edelbrock cam (actually an Alliance cam that was the exact same specs, Alliance disappeared bout the time the Edelbrock came on the market so they may have been bought out)and was disapointed by it, I will explain. I really wanted a cam that was more like the stock 401 cam in duration but as I got this one still in the box with new lifters and springs with a CJ I bought I thouht I would try it. It was smooth with very little lope and it made decent power but it was a little lacking in the upper rpm range where my motor spends a lot of time. For a daily driver it would be fine but my rig spends a lot of time off road and not much time driven on the highway. Also I am looking to take advantage of the big valves and power range of my (RB4) intake (1500 to 6500) . I have put the cam in my 304 powered CJ5 and it is great there. I just feel that the 360 needs more cam.

[Bob Barry]

I'll disagree with the QJ tuning difficulties (though that Carter carb has its own calibration kits from Edelbrock for their Performer carbs, which are AFB's); there is an Edelbrock kit for tuning the QJ that has a good assortment of rods and power-valve springs, if you haven't already scavenged an assortment from parts-carbs (usually plenty of those to be found in the automotive world).

As for calibration, it's easy enough to find the metering setup for an engine similar to the engine you are starting with, and use that as a baseline from which to modify the carb. Not as easy to modify as a Holley, for example, but better at fuel-metering once it is set-up properly, I'd say.

[macguyver]

Thanks for the info. To answer the question about tires/gears I run 35" tires with 4.09 gears. This puts me ALMOST back to stock so I don't think the gearing thing is to much of my problem. Also, the carb is an AFB. I guess I'm gonna have to study up on carb modification to see what I can come up with. I've never done this before. Is it very hard? I have just recently gotton more bold about how much work I do to my own truck. Up until now I have only done the generic bolt on work (alt's, water pumps, etc...). I guess what I'm saying is i'm not much more than a shade tree mechanic but i'm willing to try.
Thanks for the help,
Chris

[jeepbob]

Buy a book on tuning the AFB and read it cover to cover and learn about the carb. They are not really difficult to learn to tune once you see how they work.
Dr. Bob,
I have rebuilt and set up carbs both for my own use and professionally for many years and IMHO the q/jet is a pain to get set up perfect. I feel that while it is a decent "journeyman" carb, if you want the most from your motor it is not the way to go. I do use one on my 440 Dodge powered motor home and on my demo derby cars as they are reliable but I could get more out of either with a Holley. On the motor home I could not justify the cost of a 750 Holley and on the derby cars, I use a 305 yanked from a van (and have for several years) and just stuff it into whatever body I am running and want to keep costs down. Besides the slightly over rich fuel mixture gives really cool flames out the stacks that protrude thru the hood which the crowds at a night derby love.