I think I told you all that my Cutlass has been "in the shop" for the past three weeks. I had the intake gaskets replaced and the carburetor rebuilt in January, but when I got it back it was still running rich and stalling at lights, so I sent it back to Truong, my auto mechanic buddy. He's been "tinkering" with it since. It's pretty here today, low 70's and not a cloud in the sky. So driving back in from lunch I had the windows down on the Roady wagon and was enjoying the beautiful weather and warm breezes. Pulling onto Hwy 79 I noticed the spoiler'd tail of a white G-body Cutlass up in front of me a few car lengths ahead. I pulled closer and there was Truong, windows down, smiling and waving at me. Glad he's enjoying our gorgeous day in my car. Was surprised the T-tops were still on. Will have to call and see when the "repairs" will be done. -Mike
I called him...he was on a "test drive". To be honest when I worked in at the shops I "test drove" every car I could, especially if it was something interesting. I trust Truong, have known him for years, so it was more funny than upsetting to see him "tooling around" in my Cutlass. Carburetors seem to be kind of a lost art now. I'm sure we'll sort it out sooner or later... The car is a 307, bone stock under the hood with 95K miles on it. Since 2000 it's had less than 10,000 miles put on it...it sat a lot. When I bought it, it ran ok, but was very weak, and sitting at a light it would be idling fine and then just for a second the idle would fall off and it would almost die...and then pick up again and idle ok....sometimes it would die totally. Also, when it sat for a few days it was HARD to start, and once it did start it blew black smoke and missed badly for 30-secs until it "cleared out". Truong said the intake gaskets were leaking badly, the timing was way off, and the carb was full of varnish. Had all that done, and the car had a lot more power, but was still running rich, and the idle was still acting up at stop lights. Such fun.
Well....those carbs have a lot of adjustments that many don't even know about. I no longer have the book on it and it's been years since I worked on one but joe padavano has the book and is familiar with this carb. PM joe and get the scoop. It will be worth it big time.
Here's one thread that joe posted to.....gives you an idea about the CCC. http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=111288#post111288
I just spoke to my former boss at the a/c and auto repair place that has all the 80's El Caminos, and he says he's 99% sure the main jet plugs on the bottom of the carb are leaking. He says when he rebuilds Quadrajets he uses epoxy or JB weld on them, and that fixes the issue. I just called Truong, and he's pulling the carb off again to try this. We'll see! -Mike
That's a VERY common problem and they should be fixed on every QJ you get whether leaking or not. They will eventually. The problem that I was referring to is not the QJ leak problem. See my last post and try to reach joe. I wish I could be more help but it has been too long ago and I have no book. One thing I never liked to do is mess with a QJ....seems when ever you do it is never the same. With the proper procedures, though, it can be better.
Thanks. When I get it back if it's still not "right" I'm planning to get a big roll of vaccum hose and got to town under there. Ah 80's speghetti...
