Ok, I have searched through a lot of Carb posts, so If I am beating a dead horse, point me in the right direction. I have a 72 GS convert 350 with the original 4 barrel Q Jet. My problem is that I have a TH-700 4 speed tranny. I like the tranny, I like the carb, but they do not link up right. The TV cable from the tranny is welded to the carb linkage. It really sucks. Here is a pic, sorry it is so big You can see that a piece of linkage is welded to the throtle linkage for the tranny. This set up believe it or not works OK, I just do not like it. I feel like it is a "Mickey Mouse" set up. I am looking for whatever would be a direct or close to direct replacement carb that would allow me to run the car correctly. I was pointed in the direction of a kit that would fix my issue, I think it was by TCI in the Jegs catalogue. I cannot find it anymore. Holley, Edelbrock, etc. Any ideas out there on something that would be relatively easy to hook up and would allow me to use the TH-700? Thanks in advance.
Mike, I think all you need to do is find a primary throttle shaft from a Qjet that was installed in a car that had a TV cable. Then just pull your carb remove the butterflys (remember to file of the ends of the little screws incase they are riveted over) and linkages from the choke side and swap in the other shaft. It will then look "factory". Marc
Exfarmer, Thanks for the reply. I will keep a look out, but in the meantime, I am still wondering about a somewhat direct replacement carb that would work. I find working on my carb to be a little scary, I have an extra carb off a 455 and a brand new rebuild kit for it, and they have been staring at me since last year, everytime I sit down to give it a shot (rebuild), I get a little freaked out that I will ruin it. The sad part is tht I hve done it before, but it has been 7 years since I had my carb apart. I am also thinking of getting rid of the ram air set up in favor of a open air element and a carb spacer. I would probably keep the ram air set up for car shows etc. Anyway, thanks for the info I did not know that was even possible!
Mike - there is absolutely no reason to fear a Q-Jet. Do you have a digital camera? If so, take pictures of the carb before you disassemble. Do you have a factory shop manual (if not, you should probably consider this purchase)? Read the section on carburetor rebuilding. When ready to do the carburetor, do some organization. Open the repair kit, and sort the pieces that go in the 3 major casting groups (airhorn, bowl, throttle body). Now disassemble into these groups; and do each group separately. If you only disassemble one group at a time, you have fewer parts to remember. And should you have difficulty, there is always help here. Jon.
Carbking is correct, guys. The only real problerm I ever had rebuilding these things is when the customer brought me a carb to rebuild, and he installed it incorrectly. These are rather simple carbs that have an unsubstantiated reputation fior being both unreliable or troublesome. In either case, they were either incorrectly assembled, incorrectly adjusted, or handled by ham-handed "techs." Give them the respect they deserve, and they are both reliable and accurate in their fuel metering.
Changing primary shafts might work. One of the problems here is that Buick intake manifolds are very "flat," and a lot of factory TV cable equipped carbs from other makes may hit the crossover. You will probably have to do a lot of experimentation. Adding a spacer under the carb will certainly help. Personally, I think a Buick carb with a tang welded on looks way less "Mickey Mouse" than any of the alternatives.
I appreciate the responses. I guess I will give the rebuild a try, it still does not solve the welded on linkage issue. I did get the TV cable relocator from jegs, it relocated the cable to a more desireable position. It did not fit out of the box, so I made a spacer out of washers, and it works great. The car has not shifted so well since I have owned it. I now get passing gear, and can really jump on it. I still have some shifting issues between 1st and 2nd, the GS does not like traffic. At one time jegs had a kit that made a spot for the TV cable. It was around $100 or so and it was specifically for the Q jet and a TH700 tranny application (TCI). I was going to try it, but have not been able to find it. I contacted Jegs support, and they were no help. I would like to stick with the Q Jet, I just thought another carb might solve some of my problems. I just can't seem to get the TV cable adjusted right.
I believe there is a site called "bowtie overdrives" that sells an adjustable bracket that can be mounted to the throttle shaft side plate and will hook up your cable, make it adjustable and look good at the same time. I saw one of these on a GS in Michigan last year and asked about it. PS: Keep the quadrajet if it is a street car. Mike D.
That was what I was looking for, I knew I saw it somewhere. I sent Bowtie Overdrives some questions via email. We will see what they say. Thanks
At first you said it shifted "OK," now you say you are not happy with the shifts. I don't know anything about 700s, but with a 200 a TV cable out of adjustment is certain and soon death to the trans!!! No matter what you do for a TV cable-to-carb connection, get that sucker adjusted right or stop driving it. Otherwise you are at square one with nothing functional between your flywheel and driveshaft!
I just wrote out this long detailed response, and my computer froze. Oh well. I agree Nick, but I feel my money is better spent finding a solution to my carb issues before I have someone adjsut the tranny with the wrong linkage set up. I am still waiting to hear back from bowtie overdrive, so we'll see. I have made much progress this summer with my tranny adjustment issues, it is much better than before. I will elaborate from work tomorrow. Thanks for the input everyone!
This thread may help you, if you haven't seen it already http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=106299
