The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Carburetors

OK carburetor guys need advice. I am running a stock 283/ TH350 with a 2:73 rear end in my 49 sub. The 283 is a fresh rebuild and is an early 60s or late 50s fitted with a 4 BBL manifold. What carb do I use? I will occasionally be pulling an 18' camper. I have looked at most of the catalogs and the number of carburetors offered is staggering. I am completely confused as to what to look for. Thanks. Weeds.

I would use a Quad on it. Just have to know their quirks while rebuilding them. I think most Quads are rated at about 850 cfm at WOT. I wouldn't recommend a Holley in my opinion. I'm sure you'll get many different opinions on this subject.
just my 2 cents worth,
Scott

I just hope that 18' trailer is on the light side. Either that or you have some serious torque built into that 283. You might want to ask Santa for a 700R4 and a 3.23 rear end next Christmas.

The original 4 bbls used on 283's were either a Carter WCFB or a Rochester 4 jet, both rated at about 400 cfm.Both these carbs are old and tend to be expensive.Q-jets are ok but do suffer from problems,and properly rebuilt ones are in the $300 range.A small 390 Holley 4 bbl works well on a stock 283,but if you're running a stock manifold,you may need an adapter.

I like the Q-jet myself If you can rebuild it
yourself. They are plentiful & cheap at the swap
meets. If you use one you should have a spread
bore manifold. I like the aluminum ones. Your
best bet would be the Edelbrock performer. They
run great right out of the box & you can get a
kit to change metering rods & jets.

It looks like the Quadra-Jet is the carb of choice for my setup. Do I understand that Edelbrock makes a Q-Jet clone for my pre emissions era engine? Should I also be looking at a different manifold or is the stock one OK? This truck will be a daily driver and I am interested in reasonable performance as well as decent fuel economy. Don't want a godzilla machine but one my wife can drive so dependability is also a requirement. Thanks Weeds

A stock manifold would work good for a daily driver and make hooking up a choke easier.
Scott

Wrench,48,BradB, Truckedup and 2many thanks for the education. The 49 is coming slow, just finished fabbing the upper shock mounts. Next will be mounting the master cylinder/power brake booster and hooking up the brake lines. Need to learn how to make double flares. Trying to think ahead. Thats why the carb Qs. Don't anybody move more questions coming. Thanks, aint this site great?

Another vote for the Rochester Q Jet.

Weeds -- I have a Rochester 4GC that is exactly what your 283 is supposed to have. If you're interested, let me know and we'll set something up. I'd like to see someone use it since it's just sitting under my work bench looking lonely!
Boo

The Q-jet will work nicely, IF you get one that's jetted for an engine close to the 283's displacement. I'd suggest one set up for a 260 Oldsmobile engine, with the float level lowered about 1/16" for a slightly leaner mixture. There are at least 150 Q-jet part numbers out there, with calibrations for engines from 230 cubic inches, to 500 or more. The Olds carb will also have a carburetor-mounted choke assembly, not the manifold-mounted type that most Chevy carbs have. A Q-jet intake manifold for a 305 Chevy should allow you to bolt it on without an adapter plate. You'll need a lower-geared rear axle to tow that trailer efficiently!
Jerry

HRLincoln. Thanks for the advice on Q_Jets. I pull the camper only twice a year. Once to Oshkosh for the EAA fly in and once to Blakesburg Iowa for the AAA antique airplane fly in. A grand total of about 730 miles. I have been doing it with a 96 Chevy half ton 4.3 with a 5 speed. Works it a little hard in 5th so I usually leave it in 4th and seems to be OK.

Boo Email comin' atcha.

weeds -- I sent ya a private message.
Boo

I have had very good luck with edelbrocks, just bolt and go. model 1403, electric choke, 500 cfm. Would work good on a stock 283, may need to use an adapter or pick up an edelbrock performer manifold. They can be picked up pretty cheaply.

I tossed the Q-Jet on my 350 and replaced it with the Edelbrock AFB. I needed an spreadbore adapter as I kept the stock manifold. I also needed a spacer for the stock aircleaner to clear the fuel inlet. So the air cleaner sits a couple of inches higher now. This setup has worked well for 2+ years now. Just a few things to think about...

Boo have not received your message. Weeds

stea & F&G. Thanks for the replies. I am getting an education. Weeds

Boo E-mail me at [email protected].

Weeds