I just seem to be jinxed by Quadrajets, they run excellent for me until they need rebuilt, and then I can never get them right again.
With absolutely no offense meant:
The Q-Jet is one of the very finest carburetors to be built anywhere in the world at any price and any time period!
If you are having issues, I would highly suggest the book on Rochester Quadrajets by Cliff Ruggles. Of all of the carburetor books I have read since 1959, this is by far the most "novice friendly"; and probably the second best of any carburetor book (the first requires some knowledge of differential equations)!!! You might take this recommendation with a "grain of salt" as Cliff is a good friend; but he has done a fabulous job.
As far as the flooding is concerning: the three major causes of Q-Jet flooding are:
(A) defective plastic float (as Jerry said, this is an automatic replace EVERY TIME! Don't even think of trying to test one).
(B) too much fuel pressure. The Q-Jet doesn't like fuel pressure. Most A/M pumps will overload the float buoyancy.
(C) too large an orifice in the fuel valve. Rochester made many different ofifices. (And the A/M has an even larger one). Get a quality kit designed specifically for your carburetor (not a generic "one size doesn't fit any") that has the proper fuel valve.
Yes, the early Q-Jet had "teething" problems; but nowhere near so many as the 4150 Holleys. I knew lots of good mechanics in the late 1950's early 1960's that couldn't say Holley without a sarcastic cough!
The earlier book by Doug Roe (chief engineer on the Q-Jet) is also very good, but Cliff's book is written so that a consciencious 11 year old could rebuild a Q-Jet.
Jon.
