From the Parts Counter

What is a choke thermostat and why do I need one?

carburetor choke thermostat

What is a choke thermostat and why do I need one?

Cold starts a problem?  You might need a new choke thermostat.  Check out this article to learn more

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How to identify a Varajet II carburetor

How to identify a Varajet II carburetor

By the time the Varajet II came into production GM had standardized on stamping the part number on the body of the carburetor, replacing the tags that used to be attached via the top deck screws.

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Spreadbore vs. Squarebore carburetors: What's the difference?

Quadrajet spreadbore squarebore Thermoquad

Spreadbore vs. Squarebore carburetors: What's the difference?

The Short Answer Spreadbore and Squarebore are terms used to describe the 2 major designs of 4-barrel carburetors.  In a spreadbore design, the primary bores are smaller than the secondary bores.  In a squarebore design, both the primary and secondary bores are the same size.   Fig 1: Squarebore vs spreadbore The Longer Answer The bores (also known as barrels) are parallel chambers going from the top of the carburetor body to the bottom (base) of the carburetor body.  They are the chambers where fuel and air are mixed together to create the combustion charge that makes the engine run.  ...

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Varajet 2SE vs. E2SE: What's the difference and which one do I need?

2SE vs. E2SE Varajet Varajet 2SE Varajet E2SE

Varajet 2SE vs. E2SE: What's the difference and which one do I need?

The Varajet II was a 2 barrel carburetor optimized for 4 and 6 cylinder engines, and was installed in cars and trucks from 1979 through 1986.  The Varajet II featured a progressive linkage, where increasing throttle position opened the 2nd barrel, increasing airflow to the engine.  This article explains the differences between the two variants of Varajet II carburetors: The 2SE and the E2SE, how to tell them apart, and how to figure out which one you need.

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What is an idle stop solenoid and why do I need one?

dieseling idle speed idle stop solenoid run-on

What is an idle stop solenoid and why do I need one?

The engine that won't die. Cars equipped with carburetors can suffer "dieseling" or "run-on".  This is more common when using unleaded fuel, but can happen with leaded fuel as well.   Dieseling is when after the ignition is shut off (causing the spark plugs stop firing), the engine continues to try to run.  Perhaps you're familiar with the symptom- you turn off the engine and it starts coughing, bucking and clanking, sometimes for up to 30 seconds.   Aside from being embarrassing, repeated occurrences of dieseling can actually damage your engine.   What causes dieseling? When the ignition is turned off, the...

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