Winter 2020 (Now Spring 2023) 350 Fresh-Up Project

They both are pretty old...
10 & 13 yrs is pushing it.

 

Truck battery did same thing after 10 years came home from getting propane and when I went to move truck back totally dead. My Toyota battery after 10 years I went to work in the summer and when I went to leave..done. 10 years seems to be the max for a battery which is not too bad really.

 

New battery and the Holley spreadbore is blowing fuel out the plug where the needle and seat sit. It never ends.

We tried to stake it better but it isn't working any better.

Time to find a good quadrajet.

 

What would happen if I put the 800CFM Qjet off my Stage 1 car on the 350 car?

 

Only good things cuz you know that carb functions...
When you want to break in a fresh build, you should use a carb that you know works!

 

Well, the 650 Holley WAS working when I tore the car apart 2 years ago.

I've reached out Quadrajet Power to see what he says. He built the Stage 1 carb for me. I need a Qjet for this car any way. I was going to get one eventually but hoped the Holley would get my by for break-in.

 

Idk, something is funky with that carb..... had Holleys sit for 3 yrs, q-jet on boat sit for 7 yrs.... fuel 'em up and they go.
You'll get it straightened out....I've got a 750 dbl pumper I want Storm1(Kevin) to try on his 350 roller motor.
I would ditch both. That qjet, & the spread bore....

 

Today should have been Break-In Day but things conspired to keep that from happening. As mentioned, the carb that the car ran with for the last 8 years, sat for 2 years and went to crap. As we were trying to get it fired, it did run for a few seconds before the carb started dumping fuel all over the place. So, timing was close enough to start.

We took the carb off and notice a lot of water on the floor. My first thought was some gasket didn't line up, or worse, a freeze plug was bad. Luckily, my freshly re-necked and supposedly pressure tested radiator was dribbling fluid from the middle of the core. I circled it and will take it back to the radiator guy to see what he says. If it takes more than a few bucks, I'm going to scrap it and go to an aluminum one.

So, with nothing else to do, we got the rest of the car back together, hood, grille and bumpers back on. We started on the exhaust but it is going to be about 3-4" short per side with the small block Hooker headers and the short case mufflers I selected. No biggie. A section of 2.5" aluminized pipe is available locally. All is good on that front so far.

I found the invoice for the Torque Tech 2.5" exhaust pipes, 2 mid and 2 tail pipes, hangers and a bunch of clamps. It was $341 back in 2015. What a deal, what a bargain!

So, this week I'm hoping to procure a carb, get the radiator fixed or a new one purchased and finally break this thing in and get the freshly coated Hookers installed. The days before 2023 GS Nats are getting slim.

Picture for your viewing pleasure. Circled is the place where the fuel is coming out.

 

650 dbl pumper it will scream

 

Not to discourage you from going to a Qjet, but those Hollys are pretty easy to go through, and rebuild kits are fairly readily available.

 

This is more than gaskets. I'm not sure I'd trust JBWeld for a permanent repair in gas.

It was pretty tired when we tore it down. It needs a repair on the bowl.

 

not a spread bore a square bore Holley 650 or 750 I have a spread bore and it was ok but the square bore carb is better plus those "O" rings need replaced every time you take it apart those are always stretched out and won't go back in.

 

So, I contacted Quadrajet Power and he is 18 weeks out on carbs. That's a no-go for the GS Nats. Also, at $600 for a QJet after shipping, I'm more than half way to a Holley Sniper fuel injection system.

At this point, I'm going to try to fix the Holley. I have JBWeld and I have low temp aluminum brazing rods. One way or another, I'm going to get this thing going.

Maybe I can find a more permanent solution at the GS Nats!

Now, to head back to the radiator shop to see if this money pit of a 4-core is worth fixing AGAIN! It held water just fine last fall when it was in my buddy's car while he waited for his aluminum radiator.

 

Yes, it's always something to de-rail a project. I am currently in about the same stage you are in with my 72. Luckily, I have been sitting on my rebuilt Quad for about 5 years now. Fingers crossed. Try an ad in the parts wanted section.
As far as the rad goes, just installed it on Thursday, went with the cheapo Spectra CU161. Also bought it 5 years ago. Looks decent and was approx $100 from Autozone. Not sure what price is today. It does have transmission cooler inside and that nasty Chev heater hose return that has to be plugged. But, it is a cheap alternative.
Good luck, hope to see you in BG. Chris.

 

I may be all wet, but isn't that plug supposed to be below the fuel level? Maybe the needle isn't sealing? Or just replace the float bowl. Any good speed shop should have those.
Its been awhile since I messed with a holley.

 

That's a very old carb with those screwdriver head vs hex head float bowl screws.

 

Fred Catlin should have my rebuilt/recolored/etc. '70 350 4-sp QJ ready to go. I'm hesitant yet inclined to offer to let you borrow it. I'm supposed to pick it up in BG but maybe he could ship it if you need. I'd also check w/ @Rob Ross on his lead time. Do you have a core or the orig. 7041245 QJ?

 

My 4-core just had a nicked tube. He fixed it right there while I waited. It managed to get nicked between his shop, my trunk and the radiator support.

The plug in question IS where the casting hole for the seat with the needle is installed. If the float closes, the fuel backs up there AND comes out the plug.

Yes, I assume it is at least 40 years old.

I wouldn't want to do that but I appreciate the thought. I will check with Rob Ross to see what his lead time is. I can fix the Holley but I was using it as an excuse to go QJet.

 

Makes sense - the plug must be for the hole they drilled for the passage. My holleys always had the dual feed and the needle was in the center. Ebay has lots of fuel bowls - you might find one local. That way you can limp along until a Qjet shows up in your mail box!

 

I hate borrowing stuff & still have PTSD from my neighbour's pressure washer pump blowing water out of the pump housing as soon as I turned the hose on, but I also want to see you get running so... If you change your mind.