What is the procedure to set the float on a q-jet? We have one on a 350 and it is very hard starting, the first thing I want to check is the carb is gas is litterally everywhere in the primaries when we are cranking it over... oh the carb is a '73 btw...
Float is waterlogged and sinking. Typical Qjet problem . Put a kit in and a new float. Also check on the bottom under the main jets. There are two plugs there and in the early days the used to leak there although not normally in the sevenites and later. if you are even slightly su****ious they are leaking apply a coating of JB weld to the area . Don
A full kit will have pretty detailed instructions. If it's been a while it's relatively cheap and easy to overhaul one. Napas about $40 I think
In the rebuild kit there will be what looks like a small plastic square with measurements on it. Use it as a gauge to set your float according to the directions, and when you go to set it just put light pressure on the needle and seat to measure. It's pretty much self explanatory once you read the direction's well... Also when you buy your kit, buy a new float, you don't want to have to do it twice, unless you like the smell of this "new" stinking gas!
Heavy floats were so common back in the days when 90 percent of all G.M. cars ran Quadrajets that a few of the carb kit companies marketed a kit containing a new float, needle&seat, and air horn gasket for a quick "on the car" fix.
and we got pretty good at driving the accelerator pump pivot pin almost all the way in so we could pull the lever off, but not so far that we could not get a screwdriver in there to push it back. such wonderful memories
When I took the top off I noticed one of the secondary enrichment tubes had come loose from the air horn and was laying in its "well" where it draws fuel from?? Dont know it this happened when taking the air horn off or if it had been that way but that shouldnt have affected anything but secondary operation, right???
Yeah, the early Q jets had an accelerator pivot rod that was retained by a small hairpin clip so that the pivot pin could be left alone, but the engineers must have done a study on it and decided that that design made too much sense.
If I recall right ,You pull off top of carb.Install new float and to adjust ,You bend tang to adjust 1/4 inch is the setting ,in float bowl The directions will tell you,Im working from memory .Its been awhile .I can't remember if you fill up float bowl and measure with the stick they give you .Or do you just push down lightly on back of float .And I do remember putting on top is a little tricky .Not hard ,Just tedious .....
Lots of things will cause the issues you mention: Previously mentioned saturated float is a good bet IF you have previously been using the vehicle with no issues. If the vehicle and/or carburetor are new to you, then here is a list of possible issues; (A) Incorrect mounting gasket (B) Some street racer installed the A/M 0.149 fuel valve (C) incorrect float adjustment (each carb is different, use the carb ID number to get the proper setting). (D) Defective pump circuit (syphoning of fuel). (E) And definately not least....................defective ignition. (F) Too much fuel pump pressure - Q-Jets don't like a lot of pressure. Jon.
All good advice, but while you got it apart, go ahead and seal up the well plugs with epoxy. They are known to leak. Just wanted to add 2 more pennies....
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