Howdy! I have a '65 Skylark GS (see avatar) that is getting the '66 Q-jet manifold and carb upgrade. The problem is that We do not have a '66 Q-jet with the necessary linkage. We have a 1970 Q-jet off of a Buick 455 automatic. Will this carb readily bolt on to the '65 motor with the '66 manifold? In particular, will the throttle linkage work as is? We are just trying to figure this out before we spend the money on a carb rebuild. Thanks in advance,
Sorry, but nope, it don't think it will work as is. I'm not familiar with the '70 Q-jet but the ball studs on the later Buicks are a bigger diameter for one thing, probably not in the right place, and no direct provision to hook up your trans. stator switch. The later Buicks used a divorced choke with the bi-metallic spring located on the manifold, the '66 Nailhead Q-jet manifold doesn't have provisions for this. Your stock air cleaner flange at the carb is too small for a Q-jet so you'll have to modify yours or use aftermarket. You'll need to find a '66 Buick Q-jet (also '67?) if you want an absolutely stock looking bolt on, but they're somewhat rare (and pricey). You'll still need to do something about your stock air cleaner. You might want to look for a larger (800 CFM) Q-jet if your going to do the necessary modifications for a later carb. Do a search on this board, there are several threads describing how to identify one. I think '72-'76 are the years to look for, but check the old posts. [EDIT] Here's one you could have used, sorry it's too lateou: '66 Q-jet
Thanks for the info Kevin. I hadn't thought about stepping up to an 800 cfm unit if we have do deal with the linkage anyways, that makes sense to me! As to the '66 on ebay, it's all about timing, isn't it? I had done a search for "buick carburetors" on ebay yesterday, too bad I didn't just look for "rochester" or "quadrajet". Well, if we don't find a '66, then I think we will look for a decent 800cfm unit to adapt.
Yeah, seems I'm always a day late and a dollar short. I've got a '75 Olds 455 Q-jet and '66 manifold to put on my '65 401 when I get to it. Its an 800 CFM with integral choke. I bought a junk early '60's Buick Rochester 4GC on Ebay and cut the linkage attachments off the lever and welded it to the Qjet lever. The spacing out from the carb was near perfect, and there is enough meat in the overlap of the two levers to use small bolts if you don't have access to a welder. I also cut a Qjet carb flange from an old air cleaner I had (knew i saved that for some reason) and welded it to a stock '65 air cleaner. My welding ability really sucks, so I covered the seam with JB weld to seal it. I had to do some tweaking with a ball peen hammer to the underside to clear the linkage, but nothing major. When I get it installed it should all look completely stock, unless you really know what you're looking at.:Brow:
