I just recently bought a 83 dodge 3500 reg cab single wheel. It had been sitting for awhile but fired right up. But it's running a little rough, the previous owner replaced the plugs and wires so there new. It's got a 4bbl stock thermoquad carb, everything feels real "lose" to me. I haven't really been into many carbs, but I am pretty mech, and could figure it out. So my question is, is it woth rebuilding or is it better just to buy a new carb and be done with it? Any feedback would be great thanks. I will also try and get some pics of my truck up on the site.

 

T/Q carbs are easy to rebuild, there are a few items to remember when rebuilding one. I have rebuilt alot of them and have found a couple of areas that are prone to problems. The first is the center body, they are prone to warp so make sure its square on both sides if its out of square you can sand it to square it back up if its not out real bad. The second thing is the wells where the jets are put in inside the middle section also. They are expoxyed in and will leak over time, JB weld will do the trick with that issue. Third is the Bog they are prone to, make sure you change the accelerator pump when its rebuilt. Another issue is the air doors how fast or slow they open, too fast and it will bog and too slow and it will not open until enough vacuum is generated and they are not real easy to adjust. They have a inset screw holding a spring that takes a special tool to adjust but you can do it with a screw driver just be careful not to let the spring come off the shaft inside the carb top or you will have to take it apart to get the spring out.Clean, clean , clean, clean the air passages with compressed air dirt kills these carbs also. They can be a bit of a pain in the the rear to get adjusted and once you get the truck running you will be doing some tinkering to get it right but all in all they are not a bad carb. I have bought new/rebuilt ones from Auto Zone and Advance and even then still have to play with it to get it right. Hope this helps and good luck...

 

I have done both and my suggestion would be simply replace it with an edle brock performer.

 

there are plenty of carbs thatll fit that (360?)

heres a factory remanned Edel-b 600
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Edelb...ayphotohosting

the same seller has a 750 for 200 or something. these would go for around 270 brand new from jegs or a local parts dealer. for 170 youll definately have less work and prolly a bit more power.

sometimes rebuilding carbs is fun. untill you make one little mistake or lose a tiny spring liek usually do

 

i've successfully rebuilt some carbs and also had some disasters. for $200 i think i'd put the edelbrock on it.

 

its certainly an art. some of us can, others no.

 

Hey thanks for all the info, I think i'm going to replace it with a edelbrock and maybe an intake also. Although I have to figure out why the transmisson isn't wanting to engage into reverse. I maybe swaping it out for a 4spd manual.