Car would not run on fuel pump to carb (only when I poured gas in), so upon opening it, the clip that holds the needle was missing and fuel could not enter the fuel bowl as the needle was sitting in the seat. I've seen others on the internet have the same issue. My question is, does this fall off and wind up next to the place of the missing socks, or did the builder just forget to install it? I just need to know as the previous owner, who is an honest guy, said it was running, but sat a while... more of a curiosity than a need for help

 

That clip that holds the needle isn't required. Your problem is elsewhere.

That clip was there to prevent the needle from sticking in the seat in the pre-modern type fuel days. This isn't so much of a problem with todays fuel so the clip is 100% optional, it won't stop your engine from running. I don't have the clip on my Qjet and the engine runs fine.

 

Was the needle valve stuck closed when the carb was opened or just sitting in the seat like you said? I would put it back together with the clip. It couldn't have escaped unless it is related to Houdini.

 

There was head pressure at the inlet when I removed the fuel line, so fuel was not getting in. The car sat for a while and since no fuel was getting into the bowl, I think that clip would have pulled that needle out. There was some sticky gas in the bowl and the needle seemed to be fine, but it may have been just stuck enough to block the inlet.

If a car sits for years modern fuel can spoil and ethanol can cause contamination (the white flakes) although there was no white flakes in the carb.

So Bottom Line is the builder most probably did not put that clip in...

I'll post the result of putting it back together, definitely going to use the clip.

 

It was definitely sitting down in the closed position, but it did not seem to be stuck...yeah going to put it back together with the clip for sure.

 

You may already know this, the clip does not go through the two holes in the float just above the needle.

 

I have been rebuilding carbs since 1965 and I found that the clip is not absolutely necessary. The fuel pump should have enough pressure to push the needle off of the seat. If the engine sits for awhile and the fuel evaporates out of the carb the needle may stick to the seat if it does not have the clip that would pull it off of the seat by the float dropping. The pump pressure then may not push it off of the seat. It is always better to have it.

 

Yeah I needed a refresher, been a while...I saw a YT video and that's what was indicated...appreciate the response

 

Yes agreed, I don't think it'll upset my F/R weight distribution...lol

I'm going through the carb now. I want to also check to see if I need epoxy to seal the wells.

This is what AI said about sealing wells...
For the secondary well plugs, it is recommended to use a well gasket seal found in carb kits rather than epoxy. However, for the primary well plugs, epoxy can be used, though it may not be the best long-term solution as it can leak over time.

I never heard of a secondary well gasket seal. Any comments on best practices for sealing these? I don't know if they are leaking but I was thinking I may as well since it's opened up.

 

Well plug leaks do happen, but not as much as you would think after 69 or so. And even less on later Quads. I would check with air and soapy water.
Some can be re-peened to fix. If you have to use goop, use Marine-Tex epoxy. And spairingly.
As stated clip on the needle is not really needed, but doesnt hurt to have it.
That clip is a tunable part. If using it set it up so that with very little movement of the float the needle lifts.
Takes only a few minutes to tweek the bends to accomplish.

 

Ran into what may not be an issue but I am a bit concerned. The piece of plastic that holds the primary power valve in place seems to have shrunk in diameter and no longer holds the power valve in place. I put the top plate/air horn back on and buttoned everything back up, but I don't know if that power valve is being held in place with the top fastened. I took another quadrajet apart and it had the same issue. Is this a problem? I had to be extra careful when putting the top back on as the metering rods were not staying in the jets. I think I got it together ok, but if I have to take it apart, I'd rather do it before it gets laden with gasoline.

 

The top of the well that the plastic ring goes into was often lightly staked in two places to retain the ring.

New plastic rings are available, that would be better from a sealing perspective.

 

Thanks for that info , did not think that was a replacement part.

 

Quadrajet Power on Youtube has an excellent video showing the replacement of that retainer. They have a great channel for Qjet guys anyway, check em out.

Spring video, but he covers the retainer as well:

 

Yes, I see that split retainer...I went to their site and the also have this...

...which is also very interesting