Some Dumb Questions. (1 Viewer)

[Combat Chuck]

I have two questions that need advice, and I know that this baord is just about the best place to ask, so all feedback is welcomed.
Question 1- My 350 SBC engine came equipped with a Rochester Q-jet carb, and I keep hearing that they're not so great, additionally, my truck has passed through many hands, and several PO's tried to "rebuild" the carb, meaning the vacuum lines are all screwed up, and I'm missing a vacuum break diaphragm. Added to that, I botched an electric choke conversion, and not one diagram seems to show the exact setup I have, making repairs iffy. Compounding that, I really hate the idea of the gas-operated choke or the electric choke, I'd rather just keep the simplicity of the manual choke. Finally, my engine is an '80, so it has smog junk on it (EGR) which I want to get rid of. At this pont, I'm almost ready to take the little carb target shooting...

My question is: of the options I've listed, what woul be my best course of action?
1. knuckle under and repair the Ro(tten)chester?
2. Webber time
3. Chevy TBI.

Question 2- I plan on setting up for power steering, and there are alot of options, who here has used these setups, and which works best?
4X4 labs- The Mud review made it look really straightforward, and robust, and I really like how they leave the pump/box up to the buyer to find, really saves on cash, since chevy p/s boxres are dirt cheap in the right places.
MAF- Pretty expensive, but everything's there and they do have a nice buffet of options for a builder to check out, but they make you pay through the nose for a p/s box I know I can find at pick-n-pull for about $100
Crui$er$olution$- basically the MAF kit, only more expensive, and not geared to the casual V8-owner.
If anyone has other options that I haven't listed, feel free to mention them.

As far as a result, I want something that's stable on the road, since I'll easily spend more time on road than off, but I want something that's capable of withstanding more than just the casual(IE Subaru-ready) trails since I'm an avid backpacker, and I want a rig that will work, and as an Eagle Scout, I want a truck that's as prepared for anything as I need to be.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

I'd vote for upgrading to a GM TBI kit of some sort, either stock, or Howell, or?

For the PS upgrade, either the classic Saginaw PS conversion, or one of the "outside the frame rail PS conversions (FJ60 or Scout-Saginaw 'box.)

Where are you located? There are a number of independent 4x4 shops that can do these swaps on a 40 Series.

Regards,

Alan

 

[Combat Chuck]

Santa Rosa, CA.
I'm not so gifted on the whole... important...stuff, so an indy 4X4 shop definitely seems okay by me. I still really like the 4X4 labs setup, if not at least the Sag box mounting bracket. I'll look into the Howell setup. Thanks.

 

[D'Animal]

Don't forget to look at Advanced Adaptors for the Power Steering setup.


Buying any kit is going to be more that going to a Pick and pull.

 

[fj hunter]

edelbrock 650

i'd go with the edelbrock 650 cfm carb. it has very easy to understand jet/rod adjustments, and the manuals leave room for those of us who cant find the open end of the paper sack. I have a q-jet that was recently rebuilt, but i have never used it or even been tempted to use it since swithching to edelbrock carbs. as far as the powersteering goes, i went with Power Steering Pro's Kit. They were very helpful in sending links to ih8mud pages that got me started. i wanted off road steering that was tighter than most, so i went with the 4.25 to 1 ratio. it measured out at about 2.1 turns to left and 2.1 turns to right, and the total was just under 4.25, so i was happy with the mod. I also put in a steering column out of an fj62-88 and that put all my controls on the column instead on the dash. post up pics when you get started. and have fun doing this.

 

[Combat Chuck]

Don't forget to look at Advanced Adaptors for the Power Steering setup.


Buying any kit is going to be more that going to a Pick and pull.

D'Animal: I didn't know AA was into that, I'll look it up.
I didn't mean I was planning on sourcing all my parts through Pick and Pull, I just know the prices these guys (MAF and C$) offer for a Sag box seems ridiculous, when it can be sourced elsewhere for less.

FJHunter:
I'll see what Edelbrock has to offer, but that Howell setup just seemed too generalized to put me at ease.

 

[D'Animal]

Power Steering Kit