I’d been struggling for some time trying to correct a WOT stumble problem that my ’76 Trans-Am suffered from, without much luck. The combo (mild 455, OD automatic and 3.90 gears) ran great except when you punched it. The engine would rev normally, then around 4,000-4,500 RPM it would suddenly stumble/buck as though someone had flipped an “off” switch. Cliff advised me that it was a fuel delivery problem and I used his HP kit to replace the stock fuel inlet/seat, as well as the original brass float and adjusted the carb as he suggested. The stumble is almost completely gone now and Cliff thinks it’ll go away all the way once I install the new secondary rods and choke break I just ordered. Bottom line, the car is running almost perfectly now and I wanted to thank Cliff publicly for his expertise – and also for his quick, courteous response to e-mails and calls. The guy can be reached by phone – and will actually talk to customers! As many of you no doubt have experienced, this is not a common thing. So, again – thanks Cliff.

Cliff, My problem with surging is about 99% gone!…. Did exactly the procedure you listed. APT screw came right out. Measured the height before removal with a set of verniers and set it the same with the screw you provided in the rebuild kit. Took it for a ride yesterday and let it warm up for probably 25 miles I live south of Boston so yesterday my Wife and I took it out to western Mass. and back. We were gone 7 hours and the car didn’t fault or stumble once. I had a tri-power set up on it last year and although they are fun to look at and hear when they open up, throttle response is another story when they’re on a set up like mine. I am amazed at the throttle response and transition from idle which this Quadrajet now has. Even my wife says she can feel the power difference and that’s from sitting shotgun. One of the best purchases I ever made for this car was the Rodney Red aluminum radiator and I’d say your book was the other. This car is just a pleasure to drive slow or fast. Thanks for the help!! Sincerely,

I discovered that you had written a book and that it was reputed to be one of the best on the market. My son ordered the rebuild kit from you and I purchased the book from Barnes & Noble. Following the instructions in the book and using your well equipped rebuild kit I dove into it and in short order had the carb rebuilt. We placed it on the car and it worked PERFECTLY from the minute the car started. Now several hundred miles later it is still functioning flawlessly. Thank You! Sincerely,

It is my pleasure to inform you about how your parts, advice, and can-do attitude has helped our team. We now have “seamless” and instant throttle response anywhere anytime on the track. As you are patiently aware, it was my first time to even see the inside of a Q-jet…………Wow, what fantastic products and services you have for your customers. Enclosed please find my coveted Hot Sauce Recipe……..it is only shared with very few friends. Yours truly from Texas

I have used Q-Jets for many years. As my cars began to run quicker/faster, I had to learn how the Q-Jet carburetors worked before attempting to improve their operation. Much research was conducted, and trial and error changes were tried until we achieved some success. We obtained very good strip performance and could still drive the car easily on the street. Several years ago, I became aware of Cliff Ruggles and his Q-Jet knowledge. We became acquainted and Cliff agreed to setup a second carb for me to test. It is from a 1977 350 engine. Cliff modified the idle circuits for better operation on an engine with lower vacuum then is seen on stock engines. He also incorporated other changes to match the operational characteristics of my engine and car. The Cliff prepared carb was installed and it worked flawlessly at all RPM. At the track, it ran as well as my “custom” unit I had worked on for years.

The idle circuits had plenty of adjustment range to allow correct idle mixture and RPM. On the street, part throttle response and transition from idle to cruise was vastly superior to my original carb. And it responded to full throttle input from dead idle with no hesitation or hiccups. In summary, the Q-Jet Cliff prepared for me works outstanding both on the street and at the track. In October, 2004, the 4050 lb. car with a 3.31 gear, 3200 flash stall converter, and modest 234 standard hydraulic cam, ran a series of11.60’s at over 114, while shifting at 5500. And it had 60′ times of mid 1.60’s. In May, 2005, the car ran a series of11.50’s at over 115 with 60′ times of low 1.60’s. These are outstanding numbers with any setup, and at the tracks, most guys are in disbelief and denial when they see the Q-Jet setting on a modified iron intake on my 473 cube Pontiac! I recommend Cliff’s work, both the physical carburetor preparation and his technical advice, with a great deal of confidence. “Jim Hand is a well know Pontiac guru/racer who continually strives for better performance. Hand authored the book “How to Build Max Performance Pontiac V-8s“.

The real reason I’m writing though, is this, during this process my teenaged son called you with a question and several days later I called you about the drill bit enclosed in your bushing kit. In both cases these were simple questions that if we had looked closer at the instructions we would have quickly seen the answers. I know you are very busy and “dumb questions” are a major nuisance when you are trying to run a business. However in both cases, especially with my son, you answered these questions calmly and in a friendly professional manner and I want to thank you. Your rebuild kit and your bushing kit were complete and of high quality. Your book was easy to read and offered thourough instructions, but your customer service will stick in my mind forever! I have passed your name and website to every mechanic, friend and fellow hobbyist I know and will continue to do so. Thank you again!