General Category > Quadrajet Carb Talk and Tips

Rich at idle

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Cliff Ruggles:
I've never found .035" idle tubes enough for the later L-82 carbs, assuming the engine is completely "stock".    Those carb use a pretty big lower IAB which doesn't help things either.  Initial timing is also a big player with stinky exhaust, not enough it will struggle to idle and too much it will run you clear out of the shop and the wife woln't ride in it because it will stink her hair up!......

Liquidrush:
So what all do you recommend? I don't have a problem paying, as long as I get what I'm paying for.

Cliff Ruggles:
Lots of unknowns, but at a minimum I'd go up on the idle tubes .002", different jet/rod combo, the correct PP spring, nitrophyl float if you installed a brass one, and for sure verify the float setting and fuel pressure.  Those carbs used really LOW float settings and the pumps put out pretty high fuel pressure.  One can quickly get into trouble right there using a higher float setting with a high pressure OEM mechanical fuel pump.

You will also need the correct non-windowed high flow N/S assembly and one of my accl pumps.

There is also no reason to run premium gas in one of those engines or to avoid ethanol.  Those engine don't "squeeze" anything very hard so high octane fuel is not needed and just hurts combustion efficiency even more. 

Sadly from 1974 well into the 1980's those engines were "turds" for power production.  They had really LOW compression, too much quench area, and some of the WORST flowing cylinder heads to ever sit on a 350 SBC engine.  The factory just didn't get it right trying to make the EPA happy, but eventually figured it out and started producing heads with far superior combustion chambers and excellent flow characteristics.......

Liquidrush:
I'm the 3rd owner of this car, it went from father to son to me. I was told it had a camshaft replacement but they couldn't remember what it is. Dual exhaust with no cats and I gotta tell you, it really runs great for what it is. The camshaft is why I used a lighter power valve spring. I can't recall what I set the float at but I always set them a little low to compensate for play in the float parts. Whatever else you need to know just ask and I'll tell you what I can. Put me together what I need and let me know the cost. Feel free to email me at ezgeo1@gmail.com.

Cliff Ruggles:
The camshaft change may be a good part of the problem.  The factory cam was wide LSA to reduce overlap.  Anything from the aftermarket would have been tighter LSA. 

Those heads also have deficient exhaust ports which doesn't help the stinky situation when teamed up with aftermarket cams.

I'm still assuming it has the factory 882 castings on it.  They may have been changed out as well, and possibly thicker head gaskets installed, etc.....

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