Of Carbs and Men

No this is not the Toronado carb but very similar to its Rochester Quadrajet. This one is from my 79 Corvette.

The Vette has been my summer car, giving the Toronado some well earned rest in the warmer months. Also time for repairs and upgrades in preparation for another gruelling winter.

The Corvette always had a cold start problem and would flood if you didn't get the pump/crank combo just right. If it started first time you were set for the day, never any warm start problems. If you messed it up it would want to stall half in half out of the drive way and only start if you completely depressed the accelerator and cranked...lots of black smoke and neighbours pitiable looks for the crazy guy with the old cars.

Quadrajets seem to have a reputation for leaky casting plugs but no evidence of this on tear down. Even tested with gas in carb while suspended over a bucket...no leaks in the well plugs.

And yes I did install a new choke pull off.

Next step is a careful rebuild and hopefully a summer of quick starts!

Strange Bed Fellows

Unseasonable warm weather, a February thaw, saw plus degree temps up to 11! Thoughts of Cadillac convertibles and Corvette t-tops filled my head and the itch to finish the Stutz project was palpable.

Heck, I even cracked open the sunroof (sorry astro roof in GM speak) on the drive home.

Well this false spring makes for strange bed fellows, evidence of which is the long delayed XJS/LT1 project.

Keeps on Ticking

Continuing record cold weather makes life tough for all cars, especially ones in their third decade of use. Knock on fake plastic dash board wood that she keeps on ticking, reminds me the Toronado's clock still works and keeps excellent time.

The weather is supposed to get up to plus six on Saturday a great improvement over the -22 experienced the other day.

The Toronado will have its own feature article in an English magazine dedicated to American cars. Photo shoot was three weeks ago...yes in the snow. Here is a teaser.