New carb or rebuild

[cwburkeva]

I have just experienced the same issues. Rebuilt my q-jet (Rochester Quadrajet), replace all ignition parts (plugs, wires, cap, rotor, ignition sensor and coil). I had bog and backfire through carb - got worse as it warmed up to the point I could only idle in to ramp.

Turned out to be a stupid fix - crossed plug wires on distributor cap. Solved all the problems without spending an extra dime.

Conversely, rebuild of Q-jet is pretty simple, bought mercruiser rebuild kit. It didn't have a new float, but mine was fine. Carb is 26 years old and had negligible deposits so cleanup and rebuild was easy.

National quoted me $289 plus core fee for rebuilt carb, they build to your engine specs, or they will rebuild yours for $200 - complete. Float, dashpot, etc. if I had known before I did mine, would have sent to them.

 

[redneck joe]

welocme back...

Q-jet

Went with a rebuild carb from Flying fish /National Carb. Swapped it this morning, dead batteries now charged and fired up fine but dying at idle speed warm and cold.

Given the nature of the 'work' I've been charged for on this in the past and the statement from Flying fish (and others here) that it should be a plug and play install are there things like timing that can effect it?

I've looked at some vids on line and see the two idles adjustments possible - should I screw with those (pun intended) or haul it an two hours to my mechanic (round trip).


Shortish timeline have to be in WA state next week then a couple days in CO then need to be on the water for the eclipse.

 

[redneck joe]

well today she fired up fine and ran much better. The gaskets seemed to settle a bit got an easy quarter turn on the bolts. Gonna try to sneak off to the lake this afternooon and see what happens on a 30-50 mile run,

 

[redneck joe]

so i normally check battery level by kicking on the starter for a sec (I have push button ignition) to make sure I have enough juice. Yesterday after about 4 hours of sitting from when I had it running on muffs when I hit the button for like one second the thing fired up, with no extra throttle advance. Never has done that before almost even when restarting immediately after running for a time on the lake. Pretty stoked, headed to the lake this afternoon to run a few miles and spend the night out. (wife in IA this week)

 

[redneck joe]

well, that didn't go well.

Sputtered a bit out of the no wake zone, a backfire getting on plane, then about 30 minutes later after running meh, died on my. Kicker got me to the marina and had my buddy bring me the old carb and swapped. Ran as usual - great until I came off plane then nothing. Kicker to the truck this morning (spent the night out)

good news is I now am a pro at swapping carbs.


bad news is I dropped at the local shop to see what they can do. They are two weeks out; cutting close to the eclipse time. Gonna have to get the lonestar on the water to make sure I have something to use..


at the end of the day - they new carb should havee worked, so to me there is something else amiss.

 

[redneck joe]

well, found a new guy.

swapped Pertronix for a complete Delco kit which I believe includes the distributor, all new plug wires, new fuel line, replaced fuel filter and FW separator (didn't need it but I had them) and some other stuff. Other than weak batteries (had charger at dock all weekend), ran like a champ. First time in a looooooooong time I've been able to put back on the trailer under power. So nice. Especially this fall when the water gets cold. This is with the old carb on. So looks like I have a spare carb....

The ignition (in dash) fuse broke so when we launched no motor. Was fun for a few but hot wired behind that for the weekend and for some reason the fuel gauge just quit. We got out to the river on the kicker just fine.

I have a brand new battery for the little boat will do some testing on the Carver to ensure it is just a battery issue before I pop for two new. May even just wait until the spring and use the one for both boats.

oh speaking of the little boat I found the slow drain on the battery. Went out the other morning at about 3am for something form the truck and it seems I had the bow light switch in upside down so it was not really off...



End of the day, I've seen several of the 'when it's warm it dies and can't restart' questions here, my solution seems to have been electrical.

 

[Bondo]

and FW separator (didn't need it but I had them) and

Ayuh,.... Glad to hear ya got it sorted out,....

Did ya inspect the Contents of the filter, when ya changed it,..??

It's a Great habit to get into,...
Many times, ya can fix a Problem, before it's a Real Problem,....

 

[redneck joe]

No sir i did not change this time, new guy did it but i always do. Since firing back up since i found her after the three year nap about 5 years ago they have always been clean after the first 10 or so, and the carb rebiuld was after they ran clean.

 

[achris]

Was going to say that the new carb would need to be tuned to your engine. Every engine will have a slightly different mixture and speed screw position to make it run right, otherwise the carb makers would just make it all fixed.

Even when you got that carb tuned into your engine, if you pulled it off and put it on an 'identical' engine, it would need to be adjusted for that engine.

But it's going, so great.

Chris.......