Well Nick, my car originally had a 725 Holley on it when I bought it. When I went to a 750 Q-Jet I got more power, When I went to an 800cfm Q-jet I got even more power. I'm going to try dual quads next. I'd say that a 600 is way too small because when I had the 800cfm Q-Jet on the Dyno, at top revs it started to pull vacuum :eek2: which means that it can stand even more cfm or it might have been that the intake manifold was the restriction. All I can say is that in my experience and from what I've seen expressed on this and other sites most large Buick engines (400+ cubic inch) love big carbs and your 600 isn't very large at all. However, for economy I think that a properly tuned Q-Jet is the way to go. Or buy a Datsun and enjoy your Buick on weekends only. But dn't forget that with a smaller carb you will be deeper into the throttle to accelerate the same amount so you might end up defeating your purpose by going to too small a carb. Go for an 800cfm Q-Jet from a 1971-1975 Big Block Buick and have it built correctly. You will enjoy good economy (if you step very lightly on the throttle) and good power when you need it.
CARB KITS NICK, I CONTACTED TERRILL MACHINE INC. IN DELEON TX FOR PARTS. THEY HAVE CARB KITS FOR $25. 37-67 CARTER, 55-71 ROCHESTER, 36-61 STROMBERG. ALL SAME PRICE. THEY ALSO HAVE GASKET SETS, OIL PUMPS, ENGINE PARTS ETC. FOUND THEM IN HEMMINGS MOTOR NEWS. NO WEBSITE. REAL NICE AND KNOWLEGABLE. 254-893-2610.
Here's some pics of the carb. Don't know if they'll help but they're there in any case. As for the Q-jets, are there any suppliers or would I have to go to e-bay? I'd prefer one that's ready to be bolted in (I wouldn't have to get it rebuilt and everything)
What does an adapter plate do to performance/mileage? I have the Edelbrock 1406 on my 65 401 without an adapter plate.
If you were quoted 600-800 by someone that does carb rebuilds, its time to move on to a new mechanic. The original 4 bbl carb on my '64 401 cost me about 250 to have rebuilt. Runs great.
Besides needing rebuilt, not a whole lot. I've heard negative things about the 4 jet as far as efficiency goes, that sort of thing. I'm looking for fuel efficiency more than anything right now. Whatever I do I MUST do it soon. So I've been floating the idea of getting my 4 jet rebuilt while I still look for a manifold that will accomodate the Qjet. I figure if I get my current carb rebuilt and I do find a manifold later on I could sell my carb and intake to my brother who also has a 62 Buick just with a 2 barrel though. I think my car is losing fuel. Last time I took my air cleaner off there was a small puddle of gas collected in one of the recessed areas outside the barrels. It's just gonna be a pain having my car out of commission as it's my daily driver. But it has to be done. After that I think I'm gonna go HEI then new shocks, then dual exhaust.
Rebuild it yourself, just like anything else in life it just takes doing. Maybe you could find another cheap core to practice on? Most carb kits come with detailed instructions and pictures, super easy!
carb and maifold i thought that you were going to a 66 nailhead manifold?? that would use the qjet carb of 800cfm?:beer
I am. Now that I actually found a manifold. So I guess no one has to waste their time with this thread anymore. Unless they want to. My brother has a 62 LeSabre with a 2 barrel and he might want to buy it, so this info could still be used.
I have a '59 Electra and I don't know which carb mine is. How can you tell? I was thinking of getting a 600cfm Edelbrock to replace the stock carb. Would this be an alright replacement? Also do I need to get that adapter for the manifold? Any info or sugestions would be much appreciated. Thanks
The 401 motor was pretty much the same internally through '66, when either a 625 cfm Carter AFB or the early Qjet were offered. I would think the 600 Holley is too small. The dual Quad is 2 barrels too big(experience). The Carter is nice as it's a mechanical linkage and once set-up, is reliable and absolutely predictable. It also has the correct kickdown attachment point. Their big weakness was leaking fuel bowls after long service, but this can be corrected by most shops. I like the 625 AFB more than Qjets(too many vacuum bugabears) and Holleys. Dan
