Q Jet carb question
 

I tried to start my car on Sunday after I installed a fresh engine. The car had been sitting for about 6 months. The car would not start. I had fuel pressure. I checked the carb and the squirters were not pumping any fuel to the engine. I pulled the carb off and took the top off. It has a ball type valve instead of a standard needle and seat. I have never seen this type of valve in a Q jet before. The carb was originally built by Tony Critella from what I was told and it has been incredibly reliable over the years. Does anyone know what this type of valve is and where to buy them. I just cleaned and lubed the ball valve and put it back in and the car fired right up and worked flawlessly. Seems like a better deal than the needle and seat

Re: Q Jet carb question
 

Mike, Tomco used to supply those in their QJet rebuild kits...did lots of those with no issues 'back in the day'. Not sure if they are still available. -Al

Re: Q Jet carb question
 

I would like to try that ball type valve. Supplier?

Re: Q Jet carb question
 

I just rebuilt a q-jet for a 85-86 Chevy truck and the kit had that type of needle and seat.

Re: Q Jet carb question
 

Tomco used to replace the needle-tip with a flat "disk" which was patented by the owner of the company. I haven't rebuilt a Q-jet in a while, but it's easy enough to check the kit at the auto parts store of your choice. I do seem to remember a "ball"-type, one-piece float valve for the 2-barrel Rochester's as well. The Viton-tipped needle-and-seat has always worked well for me, although there is another Q-jet post currently on the Forum which leads me to believe that a .047 orifice might be too large. I always thought "Bigger was Better"! :D

Re: Q Jet carb question
 

Yeh Lew, I also thought bigger is better. Now I think a .135" non windowed needle and seat is the best way to go.

Re: Q Jet carb question
 

Lew is correct. The Tomco deal is a disc thing.
Here is the original, I believe.
Called a Grose-Jet

https://www.google.com/search?q=Gros...w=1176&bih=590

Re: Q Jet carb question
 

Just a heads up........

The larger the diameter of the needle and seat orifice, the lower the fuel level should be

The larger area needs more pressure applied to the needle to seal it against the seat...

You apply more pressure by lowering the float level..

Just sayin'

Re: Q Jet carb question
 

Mark, You are correct. My carb has the Grose Jet valve. Pretty cool piece.

Re: Q Jet carb question
 

The Grose Jet allows you to run a higher fuel pressure without flooding the carburetor.
Have used them for many years in all kinds of carburetors and they work great.