I've got a pretty nice '68 442 convertible that has 95k original miles on it. My best friend bought it brand new, and gave it to me (separate story). He had the engine overhauled at an Olds dealer in Kansas City in 1972, when it had 74k miles on it. It hadn't been run since 1985, but I got it going, and it runs pretty well, and have had the Rochester Quadrijet overhauled, but it has a dead spot in it about mid-throttle, and my buddy said it's always been that way even when new, he just got used to it. I want to replace the carburetor with either an Edelbrock or Holley. I'm leaning toward the Holley because of some comments on this site regarding the Edelbrocks. Also, it's imperative that the factory air filter fits on the new carb. Any recommendations/suggestions would be welcome. Thanks, Mike.

 

Are you sure the dead spot is because of the carburetor? That's not a "typical" QuadraJet complaint.

- Eric

 

Street Demon 750 if you insist on a new carb. It is based off the Thermoquad, the Qjet's competition but has many improvements and is a new efficient 3 barrel design for square and spreadbore manifolds. A spacer or thick base gasket might be needed due to the singlle rear butterfly but no flow killing adapter will be needed for your stock manifold. There is the occasional Qjet that seems beyond repair. A properly rebuilt and calibrated 800 cfm late 70's Qjet is a great carb also.

 

The Qjet did not have a "dead spot" when new. Your best choice is to fix it properly. Then you know everything fits.

 

Agree with above. Find a competent QJ rebuilder, they are great carbs
when set up properly.

 

QJet... set it and forget it.

 

I'll just double back here to say,

1. I agree with all above: A properly functioning QuadraJet, whether this one or a new one, is probably the best option, but

2. Since behavior was unchanged before and after the rebuild, we have not yet proven that the carburetor is, in fact, the problem.

- Eric

 

I have used http://www.deanoscarbs.com/ Deano is an expert does a great job. Have 2 one on the 67 the other on the 64 both 800CFM's

 

Or get Doug Roes book and FIY.

 

Or move 1 key to the left and DIY.

- Eric

 

That's funny, I use the FYI symbol on a lot of emails for work!

 

Couldn't resist.

- Eric

 

Over the years I have tried many on my 68 442.
I found Holley 650 cfm vacuum secondaries to work the best.
Double pumpers and any larger cfm carbs always caused a bog in the engine and a delay in power response. This is with an automatic and 3.73 gears.

 

The Performer and Thunder AVS Edelbrock carbs are very user friendly. Comes in square & spread bore 500-800 cfms. Have a 1411 on a 327/375 hp vette. Runs well. Have used them on 350 & 455 Olds with the same success. Still think a QJet is better but harder to tune.

 

OK, guys, thanks for all the good advice. I'll make another run at the Quadrajet.