79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

[illtww]

Well I am reviving my 79' Formula Thunderbird. Heads were cracked so I got a brand new pair that were pristine from the Motor Shop for a Great deal. I believe my Exhaust Mani's are cracked but I don't think Buying new ones is in the budget... and welding Cast-Iron is tricky at best.

Question #1:
I am running the points ignition and was wondering if I could upgrade to this Iginition and notice a difference in gas millage or power. Pertronix
hxxp://www.shopatron.com/index/591.0.15572.26688.26691.0.0

Question #2:
I believe i have a Qudra jet cab. (2main barrels and 2Aux barrels) What is my
most cost efficient upgrade path form this type carb? Elederbrock or Holley?

Any other suggestions?

 

[illtww]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

Can these replace my cracked 350 exhaust manifolds?

Ebay
Item number: 140315998522

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

Those manifolds are for big block chevys(BBC) ,you have the 5.7 350 commonly called a small block chevy (SBC)

 

[180shabah]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

Save your money on the ignition and carb, rebuild what you already have. You will not gain major improvements "upgrading" them. Put the money you saved towards new manifolds, so you don't destroy the engine.

 

[illtww]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

I am gonna have the Manis professionally inspected and welded if needed...

Should I Just Clean up the intake manifold and re-use the qudrajet carb?

How hard is it to rebuild a Quadra jet carb?

Where can i get a rebuild kit?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

I am gonna have the Manis professionally inspected and welded if needed...

Ayuh,... Been there,.. Done that,... Replace them....

 

[180shabah]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

Where can i get a rebuild kit?

Look at the top of this page - Mercruiser/VP/OMC parts links.

Ditto the NEW manifolds - the only place a welder will have access to are the exterior surfaces, doesn't really help anything other than keeping the bilge dry. Internal cracks can't be repaired, and will allow cooling water into your cylinders.

 

[illtww]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

Im gonna go with the GLM replacements... This are the right ones correct?

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/GLM-51420/GLM Exhaust Manifold Port GM V8 Small Block.html

 

[IVAZ]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

Those do appear to be for your engine. If you search here you will see that some of the people that bought them have nothing good to say about GLM manifolds.

 

[mkast]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

I am gonna have the Manis professionally inspected and welded if needed...

Should I Just Clean up the intake manifold and re-use the qudrajet carb?

How hard is it to rebuild a Quadra jet carb?

Where can i get a rebuild kit?

You won't be happy with the GLM manifolds, in the long run.
If you have to ask about rebuilding the carburetor, it's a little more difficult than you think.

 

[meesh]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

Look for OSCO reolacement manifolds. You will be a lot happier.

 

[illtww]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

Whats the best price on a set of Osco manifolds? and where?

Can you have the old manifolds magna-fluxed to check for cracks?
(Like a head?)

 

[kevincave]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

in my 30yrs of dealing with chev motors, i have found upgrading to an electronic distributor does wonders for your engine. performance and mileage. way hotter spark that burns the fuel much more efficiently. thats why they did away with points. you wont find any performance motors with a point ignition. as for the carb, qjets are really inexpensive to rebuild if you do it yourself, if not holley sells a qjet replacement but they cost $$. qjets are suprisingly easy to rebuild. there are not many parts inside them. good luck, kc

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

That listing appears to be a OMC style replacement not mrecruiser. If your`s is similiar there called "log style" and your better off going with the 4 inch center rise setup. might look at ebasicpower.com to, they have pics of the manifolds and risers

 

[illtww]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

Where can i get a manual for my outdrive/motor/wiring?

Looked on ebay but none go back that far..

 

[Bondo]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

Where can i get a manual for my outdrive/motor/wiring?

Ayuh,.... Up in the Adults Only section at the top of this forum....

 

[illtww]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

Alright I will check the Stickies...

I am also gonna go and get all kinds of pics and try and document my progress. (Or lack thereof)

Maybe with pics of the motor I can paint a clearer picture fro you guys!!

Thanks,
Travis

 

[old bird]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

Curios
U said your re-furbishing.
Have you had this boat a while, was it running then ?
Is it 26' x 9.6 "Thunderbird" ?
TRS ?

Thanks

 

[illtww]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

Friend of mine has owned it since 2000.

I am re-powering it an painting it... some other things as well..

What is a TRS?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 79' Formula Thunderbird Merc 350 Engine Carb/ Iginition Q's

What is a TRS?

Ayuh,... It's an obsolete Mercruiser heavy duty drive...