I just bought a 1979 Vette T-Top and the lady I bought it from said the carburetor is leaking real bad onto the engine and needs to be replaced. How do I find out what kind I should get? Should I stay with stock? The rest of the car is stock. Or what kind do you recommend I get? I am new to the Vette world and appreciate the help.

Dan

 

Forgot to put in there that it is a L48.

 

find out the horespower rating of the engine and go to autozone and ask to see a holley carb like a 600 cfm and check the side of the box they usually have a suggested carb size for the hp of your engine. Also check to see if you have a spread bore (rear holes on baseplate are larger than front) or a square bore (base plate is a perfect square) then get one with whatever choke style you are using now manual or electric, for drivability stay with a vaccum secondary type or for a bit more performance go with a mechanical secondary ( i wouldnt recommend the later unless the engine has been beefed a little)

 

A bad leak doesn't necessarily mean replacement. Achronic leak on Qjets is where the filter nut screws into the carb. because it has been overtightened and stripped the threads. There is a repair nut that is slightly oversize and cuts a new thread. If that's not it, and there's not an obvious crack where it's leaking, I'd invest in a rebuild kit. Contrary to urban legend, Qjets are relatively easy to rebuild. Lot cheaper than a new carb.

 

I agree with 73shark, rebuild it. You go changin' carb makes and you'll have to watch hood clearence.
First thing first, fix the leak, then let's talk mods!

 

I think I will try the rebuild. I assume that a rebuild kit is relatively easy to get right? Since the motor and everything is stock, should I be able to get the numbers off the carburetor and cross it over to a rebuild kit. Where do you recommend I get a kit? Thanks for your help. If the rebuild kit does not work, I will go with what blknblu68 says.

 

Most auto parts stores either stock them or can get them that day from warehouse. If you don't feel comfortable tearing into the carb, HP Books has a very good book on Quadrajets. Good luck.

 

Rebuild the Q-JET, if it's the original carb the number should be something like "17059212", you'll find the number on the left side of the carb, it will be stamped into the casting. Also buy a new float and choke pull off along with the rebuild kit, NAPA has good quality parts, total should be less than $50.

 

Thanks again and I will let you know how it goes.

 

78buckshot makes a good point re: replacing float. Qjet foam floats were notorious for becoming soaked with gas and no longer floating which means they wouldn't stop the gas from coming into the carb. This could be what's being perceived as a leak.