The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Repop carburetors

This topic has been discussed ad nauseum on these forums, but I am going to bring it up one more time in a different light.

This thread is NOT about quality; if you are happy with the price/quality, then I am happy for you.

What this thread is about is service. Just had the fourth call today, and the ninth call this week from folks with carburetors that look like something but with no identification, wanting parts. These aren't Rochesters or Carters with no tag. These are clones.

If I do not have a positive identification, then I have no parts for sale. This policy is for your protection as well as mine. And since there is no way to my knowledge of identifying this "stuff", I have no desire to even think about the manufacture of parts.

If you are going to purchase one of these clones, I would highly suggest you get some information from the vendor as to a rebuilding kit manufacturer and kit number that fits this carburetor! Keep the information in the glove box of your vehicle. And if you sell the vehicle with the clone in place, leave the information with the vehicle, and show it to the buyer.

We were the "court of last resort" for the folks that called. I hate to tell folks they have a "door stop", but that is exactly what these callers have.

So, if you feel the need to buy this stuff; do your service homework AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE! ANYONE CAN GET A BAD TANK OF FUEL!

Jon

Jon,
Thanks for the heads up, there is so much bogus stuff out there now it makes the head spin.
I had a recent encounter with a "rebuilt' Q-Jet for a truck. The owner purchased the carb on ebay for his 70 C20 Longhorn pickup with a 400 big block engine. It was represented as the correct unit for this application.
The carb had the original numbers machined off and a non GM part number stamped in it's place. It was beautiful with all the linkage components plated, etc. I was assisting him with the final phase of installation and the initial start up. It just plain wouldn't run, when it did start it would wheese, or stall out, and we couldn't get any RPMS. We went back and checked everything, it had good spark, double checked for vacuum leaks and all checked out OK. We finally pulled it and took it to a local pro who tore it down. He couldn't really find any thing plugged up or unusual except it had a Buick base. The owner called one of his friends that had a carb he could have. We put it on and it fired up the first time and ran great. So much for ebay rebuilds.
Fred

Fred - the major difference between Ebay and a big swap meet, other than holding the item in one's hand, is that one SOMETIMES has recourse through Ebay.

The phrase is still very much caveat emptor!

For awhile, one of the major aftermarket companies was cloning the Q-Jet, and putting their own number on it. While I have not personally inspected one of the Q-Jet clones, their reputation is less than wonderful.

EDIT: also, during original production; GM commissioned Carter to manufacture millions of Q-Jets under license from GM. Carter also was granted authority to offer Q-Jets with the Carter number as aftermarket. If it is a Carter, the number would be the typical 4-digit followed by the letter "S" (eg. 1111S). These carbs were produced to the same quality and calibration as their Rochester counterparts, however, few individuals have a copy of the interchange list.

Jon

Thanks, Jon
The Q-Jet was advertised as a rebuilt. I think they are still on ebay. Unfortunately he purchased the carb about a year ago when he was gathering components for the restoration. I'm sure it's to late to do anything about it now except for your suggestion of a door stop. I'm not sure what the number code was, but nothing I have ever seen. He has since moved on as it runs well with a real carb.
As always we appreciate your insight.
Fred

A practice I have followed thru the years, since I keep stuff forever, it try and buy a rebuilt kit at time of a purchase. Its not IF we will need it but rather WHEN. I've pulled many kits off the garage shelf that finding one today would be looking for hens teeth. (my tiller, now 30 years old is my last example)

Those re pop carbs are alluring because they are new, clean and shiny. I have thought about giving them a go myself but I always come back to how do you build reverse engineer, build and then sell a quality unit for that price. So have never pulled the trigger and Jon, all of your posts certainly have reinforced that I should not give up my guard on those carbs.