hey guys the carb on my old stock 74, wi 350/350 combo went bad, getting like 7-8 miles to the gallon, payin for gas every other day is kickin my ass, does anybody know what carb will be the best replace for it? and im rebuildin that 350 at the end of this summer, what is the best (cheap) rebuils kit from summit....either the 350 or the 383, we have between 9.72:1 to 11.93:1 for the 350. and for the 383 we have 9.67:1 to 12.39:1 and it will be run off regular pump gas. any opinios are appreciated......OH im look for 350-400 hp out of it!

The best carb for mileage and performance up to a maximum airflow of 750cfm is what you've already got- the Q-Jet. That being said- I can't see how you would only be getting 7-8mpg on a relatively stock 350- if the carb were in such poor shape as to be the only cause of this- I'd think that the engine would barely run/be driveable. You have extremely high (numerically) rear gears- i.e. like 4.11s or something? A problem keeping your foot off the pedal? A really weak ignition system?

As for "cheap" rebuild kits- I can't offer you any info on Summit's offerings- but if cheap is your goal- why the 383 kit listed? You have an extra 400sb crank laying around and alot of time to grind cut-outs in the bottom end or do you also have 6" rods laying in your pile? My point- going to a 383 doesn't strike me as a cheap option unless you already have the required extra parts, time and/or pay your machinist more money.

i got more spare parts than I know what to do with bro my garage looks like a junk yard. i wanna go with the 383 because im only 19 so $ is kinda limited but i want something i can still have fun with and not wanna rebuild again in a few months. i get bored quickly. and yes the motor in it is barely drive able, got more problems than i wanna attempt to list but the carb is the major thing.... as for right now she only needs to make it another few weeks to get me the 6 miles to work and back, and when i get my nest paycheck that rebuild kit is goin in her. i work at a boat building/fabrication/everytool and machine known to man so i can do all the machine work and stuff myself for free on my lunch break and whatnot. i was just havin trouble decidin what to run and buy. thanx fr the opinion.
Evan

You don't need a 383 to have a powerfull engine.

I need to get my 355 dynoed so I really know what it has, but kinda mild combo and takes my 88 camaro to 118 MPH 1/4 mile trap speeds. Don't know how or why it does, but it does.

At your age, build you a nice strong, mild 350 and you'll be happy for a good little while. Then when you have more money with you can build you a wicked street beast.

With mine, I'm realy happy with it. It really shocked me. I was thinking mid 13's in the 1/4 350 hp or so, but it runs 12.80's and based on MPH could turn 11.40's if I could hook.

If I wanted too I could leave 2 black marks over 100 yards long (done it a few times) lol

It has the power, no questions about it, but it's also a great street ride. It has a good lope to the idle, but nothing too wild, good vac, good throttle, etc

I used the summit rebuild kit, with 9.72:1 hyper pistons. Good kit!

Rest of mine is....
scat 9000 crank
GM recond. X rods
crane powermax 272-2 cam,
62 cc GM double hump 462 heads that I ported
4.100" x .015" steel shim head gaskets
10.18:1 compression when all was done and said
modded edelbrock performer intake, and 1" open spacer
edelbrock 600 cfm carb (modded)
7qt oil pan, windage screen, rear main baffle.
alum. underdrive pulleys
1.6 roller tip rockers
etc, etc.

Total engine build price from air cleaner to oil pan, counting all machine work was $2,600

I get anywhere from 13 to 17 MPG depening on how I drive it. Avg. is around 14-15 though

I'm used a 3 speed auto, 2800 stall converter, and 3.42 gears.

It's my daily driver and weekend toy

Sorry for the long reply, just trying to give you some idea of what a milder combo can really do