Re: 1977 Chevelle Malibu Classic Progress Photo's aka Mali

by 77mali Sun Oct 02, 2011 7:51 pm

Vortec top end job loosely test- fitted for now but end result coming soon, hopefully. Will edit in more pics & content @ a later date. Decided on rebuilding the Q-JET.

1977 Chevelle Malibu Classic Progress Photo's aka Mali - Page 2 P1010610

1977 Chevelle Malibu Classic Progress Photo's aka Mali - Page 2 P1010610

by 74MonteCarlo Sun Oct 02, 2011 7:56 pm

OMG do I love that QuadraJet.

by 77mali Sun Oct 02, 2011 8:54 pm

74MonteCarlo wrote:OMG do I love that QuadraJet.

Thanks. I looked at Edelbrock but for the money, this was a better deal to rebuild (and a better carb too IMHO).

by 74MonteCarlo Sun Oct 02, 2011 8:56 pm

Hell yeah.

My dad tried a Holley & Edelbrock on his 70 Chevelle, ran like garbage with both. Nothing like a good ol' QuadraJet...

by 74Guna Tue Oct 04, 2011 5:58 pm

The pictures and descriptions you have posted are very helpful, even though they are making me dread the bodywork ahead of me even more! I have a very special place is my heart for 77's as I had a light blue 77 Malibu Classic in high school that I LOVED! Keep up the good work. BTW, you might have to share some info on the Q-jet. I have never preferred them since the Holly is maybe (?) better known or widespread enough that I could always find help and info on the Holly when I needed it! Maybe someone can help me "see what I'm missing" haha! Keep rolling on your project and keep up the pics so we can see over your shoulder!

by 77mali Tue Oct 04, 2011 6:40 pm

Thanks 74 Guna.
Body work stinks but I hate rust and it must be stopped at all costs! LOL. I've had my Mali since last November and it's sometimes been a slow and tedious process. This is a great forum & people are eager to help or offer their advice or share similar experiences, so you've come to the right place. I was a lurker here for a long time before I bought the car. I'm having fun even though sometime S**T happens and you get ticked off. No offense to anyone but I'll take it good & bad over say...stamp collecting, any day! As far as Q jet vs Holley, everyone has their own opinions. I like the Q-jet because it seems to just run "right" in these GM A's...like they were made for one another....oh wait they were!
Beer

by 74Guna Tue Oct 04, 2011 8:24 pm

This site is great, I hate the common presumption that the Chevelle died at the end of 1972! I'm disabled (3 back surgeries in 4 years) so my rate of improvement is waaaay behind yours! If I see others getting it done maybe it will help push me along. And the Q-Jet, oh what agony mine has caused. Of course I learned a long time ago that most "carb" problems are actually ignition problems but tuning the Q-jet is a skill I just lack! I look forward to sharing progress and success with you, this is a great hobby isn't it?

by 77mali Wed Oct 05, 2011 8:27 am

Here are a couple helpful sites for the Q Jet:
http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/drivetrain/myqjet.htm
http://carburetor.fateback.com/Rochester_Quadrajet_Tuning.html

by 74Guna Thu Oct 06, 2011 3:22 pm

Awesome tips! Guess I know what I'll be working on Sunday!! Thanks a lot!

by 77mali Mon Oct 24, 2011 8:59 pm

OK...car won't start. Had alternator tested (passed), had battery tested but only charged to 70% capacity (it's 850 cca) so there should be plenty of juice to turn it over...unless it's draining down fast? Here's the thing though, I can hear the key buzzer when placing the key in the ignition, then nothing when i try to turn the key, no engagement w/ the starter at all. Checked the wires and they seem fine as do battery cables. All necessary grounds are ok. Inside, the column wires are installed in the correct locations. Am I missing something? This is frustrating as the car is all put back together and I have to break in the new cylinder heads.... Head Bang

by 74Guna Mon Oct 24, 2011 10:38 pm

Sorry you've got starter gremlins! Are you sure the starter is engaging the flywheel? I wired one in my K5 incorrectly and didn't realize it until I pulled to take it in for a rebuild! Its easy to do. And never underestimate the power of percussive maintenance! I used to hit my starter with a hammer to get it to engage. Had to do it once or twice a week in high school with my 77 Malibu coupe. Let me know how it goes and I can't wait to hear about the new cylinder heads! Good luck!

by Checyxtc Tue Oct 25, 2011 12:40 am

Check your fuseable links bro, sounds like it might be the culprit.

by pila Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:58 pm

Only one fusible link in there, that runs everything. So the key buzzer wouldn't work either if that link was out. How about the neutral switch, on the top of the column near the firewall ?
Of course it only takes one connection to be bad, to mess with us !!
Did you have the column wiring apart ?
You could try moving the shift lever around a bit while turning the key, to see if the neutral switch is a bit out of adjustment in park or neutral, etc...,and check the connector on that switch also........

by 77mali Tue Oct 25, 2011 6:30 pm

Thanks guy's. I have all the column wiring in place. The wire to the starter might be an issue so I'm going to re-splice it. I think the big issue is the battery so in the next couple of days or this weekend I'm going to install the one in my daily driver to see (I know that one is good). Here's hoping the easy way works.

by pila Tue Oct 25, 2011 6:44 pm

In regard to the Q-jet, there's a good book available by Cliff Ruggles. It's available at Amazon. It starts with the first models and goes through mods and rebuilding, through to the last versions. One interesting note on Q-jets, is that the fuel pressure limits changed in the later versions etc......

by 77mali Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:05 pm

My Q jet is an 86 not sure if that's the last year or if it was 87. I had mine rebuilt by a shop in NH, Hobbs Carb in Pelham. They did an awesome job and it almost looks brand new and is pre-tuned. I just bought a pigtail for the electric choke from Quadrajetparts.com for $8.00, which as it turns out was not that easy to find, so aside from that just had to bolt it to the intake. Too many parts for me to fuss with, one of those jobs that I feel best left to someone who's been doing it forever and everyday. Only cost $110 & no shipping back & forth as I'm about 40 minutes away & NH is a tax free state. A good investment in my opinion & zero frustration for yours truly.
sunny

by 77mali Tue Nov 01, 2011 11:12 pm

Engine.....Hmmm. 2,4&6 are giving me a headache. Will have to adjust valve lash again on those maybe. When she fired up started to backfire a little and then got a real loud one. The kind that makes you shut off the engine LOL. Good news is that there are no leaks on the heads or intake. New waterlines & got the fuel tank canister in & picked a bunch of vac lines in great shape from the junk yard for $5.00. Comp Cams Magnum rockers look great too. Will need to check dist rotor and points as well as alignment but it looks fairly new. Wires look good but must check spark at ends to confirm they are good as new plugs were installed. Turned over by hand and noticed that the #8 seemed to compress more so then the other 3 in the bank maybe they are too loose? Carb rebuilt and s/b set...got fuel not problem. Turns out that my Alt & prob. battery are good. Forgot to connect the 2 sets of wires that are mid column ( I'm such an idiot there) labels came off during the reinstall of the column and I thought they went to the A/C. That's what u get for being lazy & not relabeling, right? Thank goodness I re-read Pila's post. (CRED!)
confused

by 77mali Wed Nov 02, 2011 5:21 pm

Boy what a relief! OK...rechecked EVERYTHING and issue was with the plug wires. When I took off the distributor I labeled the wire locations as they came of the cap. Problem was that the wires did not correspond to the firing order! Fixed that & she started right up and sounds very decent....No leaks of any kind and she ran for about five minutes until the smoke from the VHT header paint became too much- yuck. Hopefully less will burn off next time & I'm going to try & post a video of it running! I will still need to tighten the valve lash a bit since I do hear some light chattering upon acceleration but she's good & quiet @ idle and that's a good place to be after much work replacing the cylinder heads & all the other fun stuff. Still many little things to button up but here's a pic w/ the new air cleaner, hoses & such. (and yes I know it's dangerous not to have the shroud off but the core is coming out again). happy bowtie

1977 Chevelle Malibu Classic Progress Photo's aka Mali - Page 2 P1010812

by Limey SE Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:34 am

I LOVE that air lid that is cool where you find that at ??

by 77mali Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:30 am

Limey wrote:I LOVE that air lid that is cool where you find that at ??

Thanks. Quadrajetparts.com (less than $40. with the filter!) Found on the site while looking for the Q-jet pigtail for the electric choke & had to get it. Never seen one like it.

by 77mali Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:11 pm

Well...here U go. :-) Still needs the rest of the exhaust & mufflers...I think my neighbors hate me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emp5DuaeDdw

by Limey SE Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:15 pm

That sounds good Mali ........

by 77mali Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:24 pm

Thanks man, I appreciate that. It was hard work. If you listen hard you can hear the lash a bit loose & power steering belt is a bit loose yet. I have a few wires to re route as they will get fried by the headers otherwise. That's why the vid is so short, not to mention the VHT smoking. I'm going to pull the engine out to paint and do the firewall & wiring all at the same time. Will be getting the Hookers a ceramic coating then. This winter hopefully.

by 77mali Mon Nov 07, 2011 10:51 pm

Old heads & new

1977 Chevelle Malibu Classic Progress Photo's aka Mali - Page 2 P1010616

1977 Chevelle Malibu Classic Progress Photo's aka Mali - Page 2 P1010617

1977 Chevelle Malibu Classic Progress Photo's aka Mali - Page 2 P1010618

Carb before rebuild

1977 Chevelle Malibu Classic Progress Photo's aka Mali - Page 2 P1010111

Old intake & new w/ rebuild carb

1977 Chevelle Malibu Classic Progress Photo's aka Mali - Page 2 P1010214

1977 Chevelle Malibu Classic Progress Photo's aka Mali - Page 2 P1010619

Refurbished core support

1977 Chevelle Malibu Classic Progress Photo's aka Mali - Page 2 P1010712

Ran the car for about 15 minutes yesterday and got her up to temp after rerouting the starter wire. Still no leaks evident and now to bleed the brakes over the weekend. God willing by spring I'll be driving (fast). Twisted Evil

by 74MonteCarlo Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:07 pm

Ohhhhhh my oh myyyy is that Quadra-Jet a beauty.

by Sponsored content