Dead Reckon

So, my car originally (VIN L) had a 350 Chevy, with a 4bbl, that was swapped at 81k miles for whatever reason in 1993, engine has less than 100k miles on it now, but the carb is running rich.

For the record, I know it does not need plugs or wires, it is not running rough, it idles smooth, accelerates smooth, comes off WOT smooth, everything is smooth, once you get up to speed you can't even tell it's running rich. It's only really noticeable at idle, and it runs even richer the colder it gets. Once it warms up it doesn't seem to run rich at all.

It has the stock intake, possibly the stock Q-jet too, but it has an aftermarket choke control that pushes in, rather than being pulled out. I plan to add an Edelbrock 4bbl 1406 carb, and an Edelbrock 2701 performer EPS intake when I can afford it, but that is many paychecks away, so I need a stop gap solution for the rich running Q-jet.

Is it possible I can just use the adjustment screws and make it run leaner? Or do something else simple like that? Thanks for any advice you can give.

joe_padavano

The engine was swapped, but to what? Another SBC or an Olds? Also, are you talking about a manual choke? Your description is somewhat incomplete.

Dead Reckon

GM Goodwrench Crate 350, has the stock iron intake and I assume stock Q-jet, I know it IS a Q-jet, I just don't know if it's stock. And yes it's a manual choke, I was being yelled at to help with something when I was typing that, sorry, neglected a few details trying to hurry.

I don't know any specs on the engine other than that the crate engine was rated at around 195HP, versus the 170 stock for the SBC that was in the car, if that matters.

Dead Reckon

I guess to further clarify what I mean by "rich", there is a strong smell of unburnt gasoline present when the car is idling, and the colder it gets, the worse it gets.

coppercutlass

What do the spark plugs look like ? I doubt a 600 cfm carb would be rich . It can be rich at idle but I have had 600,650,750, even an 835 cfm and they all worked pretty great . The 600 was used on a mild mild near stock build and it was great. I had a head gasket leak that was very minor but it sat over winter and eventually the cylinders got a little pool going in there.

joe_padavano

Carb CFM has no bearing on whether or not the mixture is rich or lean. I agree with your comment that the Qjet is very forgiving, and I agree this is likely not the issue here, but it is unrelated to carb size.

coppercutlass

Wrong thread joe. This new mobile lay out is very annoying.

joe_padavano

I don't even try to use the mobile version. I just go to the full web version on my phone.

GEARMAN69

Two year old thread , probably was choke related

Dead Reckon

Found out the carburetor had just been ate up with ethanol, I got another one which had been improperly rebuilt, then got a Summit racing 600 or 650, forgot which, didn't like it that much, got a Holley 750, it's kinda messed up too, I can't win for losing.

Just so ya' know, and also I'm probably going to look into a summit 750CFM "Performance" q-jet, I like the way the Q-jet's run when they're right.

Likely, one of these:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-210202/overview/

Octania

if your choke actuation device is pulling/ pushing the wrong way that just might lead to incorrect choke operation and incorrect fuel/air mixture.

GEARMAN69

right and simply buying a new float preferable a brass one and a fresh kit in yours is pretty darn easy and cheap. keep it Qjet

Kyron219

When putting on a new intake do you use gasket on the whole intake around the exhaust ports and all.or do you jus use the gaskets it came with

Dead Reckon

If you notice, the thread is two years old at this point. Got rid of that carburetor a long time ago. I stick with Holley's now.

98regency

I would change all the gaskets.