carb installation - how to?

[natwales]

I will soon need to replace a 4bbl rochester quadra jet on a 1988 5.7L mercruiser. I am curious what my options are and how tricky of a job this is - the complexity of these carberators intimidate me. If I were to trade in for a rebuilt of the same type of carb, is it as simple as bolting on the new carb and making up a few fittings or are there other more tricky adjustments with jetting and such that I should be prepared for? What if I wanted to switch to an 4 bbl edelbrock? Is it just a matter of finding some adapter that matches the proper bolt pattern?

 

[riverjet502]

Re: carb installation - how to?

Yes there are adapters to fit a square bore cab to a spread bore flange. Jegs or summit racing sell these, nothing tricky here. I prefer a holley and that is what I run. Probably catch some flak from some. Nothing wrong with a Quadra or Eldelbrock, I just like the tuning cababilities of the Holley. I would go for a 650 double pumper Holley marine carb with mechanical secondaries. Very simple carb and that chevy will luv it. Might as well yank that stock intake off and put a Edelbrock Air Gap dual plane intake to set that new carb on. I would be surprised if you don't pull some extra rpms from that combo. Good Luck...

 

[flashback]

Re: carb installation - how to?

I have been running the edelbrock/afb for about 3 years now and have had no problems. it was easy as pie to swap out.. I installed it at the same time that I had the engine rebuilt and it has been great...

 

[Manipulator]

Re: carb installation - how to?

I have the Q-jet. Really, its rather simple and simple to adjust the idle mixture and other adjustments. What is wrong with the one you have? Is it just in need of a rebuild? It's not hard to rebuild, I did mine and I never had done a 4bbl before. I got the kit for like $15 off I think iboats. You are talkin some bucks for a replacement. Really, waterway robbery!