When swapping a Q-jet to an Edelbrock what parts are needed besides the spreadbore/squarebore adaptor? What do people use for the throttle linkage connector? What about the return spring? Where do you guys run the electric choke power from? I want to get everything before hand so that the swap can be completely done in a single sitting.
I'm running an electric choke 1406 (600cfm) on my 300ci '64. Throttle attachment: My stock throttle rod snapped right onto the Edelbrock carb fitting (I think the fittings are pretty much standard on carbs). Choke: I ran a new wire form the ign switch for the electric choke. Return spring: I'm not familiar with later Skylarks, but mine has a return spring on the arm that the throttle rod connects to. Did not have to change that. Automatic trans? You might need to order the fitting for the kick-down cable to attach to the carb- or you might be able to take one off the QJ you are replacing? Get the right adapter- the Edelbrock is a squarebore carb (at least mine is). Tips: I bought the $50 tuning kit and played with the jetting/rods for weeks. Ended up running it exactly as it came out of the box. Yours might be different, but I doubt you will need to change anything on the carb. My float settings were pretty far off right out of the box though- that caused me some pain until I discovered it and re-adjusted. You might want to check them prior to install. Make sure you have a set of very small Torx tools to get at the carb screws (if you're going to check the float levels).
Thanks a bunch. I'm swapping it onto a performer intake so I'm swapping out everything. The trans has the vacuum from an intake port so that should be fine. The throttle linkage I wasn't sure about because I saw that there were adaptors for pre '77 chevy and didn't know if Buick would need that one too or not. I haven't had a chance to compare anything yet. The return spring mounts to an arm near the front carb stud so I'll just get an aftermarket version that mounts on the stud and hopefully that'll work out. I'm hoping to do the same thing as you with the electric choke on mine. I will deffinetly check the floats out. I was thinking of just dropping it on and seeing where it was set up out of the box, but it does make sense that the floats may be off from shipping or what not.
Good luck- it might be just fine out of the box. If you start having any issues with the carb, I'd check the float levels first. Of course, I checked them last :laugh:
I've had three of the Edelbrock performers, and they've all run fine right out of the box as far as float level, secondary air valve and electric choke. Because I am running headers on a couple of my vehicles, I've had to dial the jets and rods in for better off-the-line performance ( a little stumble at part throttle), but that's been it. I probably used the same kit mentioned; it had enough stuff in it to do the job. Most GM, the Edelbrock fits right up to, in terms of throttle rods and/or cables, and trans cables. I haven't put one on an engine with a 400 trans yet, so I haven't had to adjust the kickdown switch. Now, MOPAR- I put on my son's Dodge Dart, and that's been an absolute PITA. None of the stuff out there works, as far as I can tell. I made my own linkage after surveying and/or buying the available parts. No experience with Fords beyond the occasional company-paid rental when out of town...and working as a mechanic for years. Ford does too much weird stuff for me to ever buy one and own it, IMO. BTW, don't bother to email Edelbrock expecting an answer to a problem. They don't answer. Been there and done that.
I've had e-brocks on a couple other old GM's and they always seemed good right from the get go. One I installed and another came already installed without any hickups. The th400 uses the vacuum for the modulator and that's off the back of the intake. On my car the kickdown switch is mounted to the pedal inside the car. Should make things alot easier :beer The A/C solenoid doesn't seem to work on my car so I'm going to leave it out of the picture for a while. If I have issues later with the way the car runs when the A/C is on than I may need to think about hooking that up. The one they sell for the e-brock carb costs a ton though so I'll just try to get the stock one to line up right. If I get off my *ss and order the rest of the parts I need from TA I can get this all hooked up in the next week or so. I'm getting excited about it already, yet not enough to call and order the parts:idea2:
