Looking for 1971 carb and air cleaner

[Paul E. Young]

Hello everyone.

I have been enjoying this discussion board for a few weeks. It has somewhat of an addictive quality. I am looking for a carb and air cleaner for my recently purchased 1971 small block base engine with 4 speed. The # is 7041213. It came with a later quadrajet and LT1 type air cleaner. Rebuilt or core is ok. Thanks. Paul

[Patrick H.]

Re: Looking for 1971 carb and air cleaner

Originally your car came with a "dual snorkel" air cleaner, not the LT-1 style open element. I know, as I have the same car and have done a lot of looking at similar ones. I bought an open element cleaner for Quadrajets from Summit Racing, complete with reusable air cleaner (K&N style) for just under $40 and love it. I even put on a 350/270 decal to look correct. Of course, my restored dual snorkel cleaner is around for shows.

A 7041213 carb is darn expensive. I'm looking for one, too. You can get one from Mark Smith in Texas, but the core alone is $425, with a restoration/rebuild then necessary to boot. Since I drive mine a lot, it isn't worth that to me right now. "Windy City" Corvette Supply (name withheld to protect the guilty) also sells correct carbs, but I've never met anyone who got a good one. If you try one from them, buy it unrestored and send it to Jerry Luck in Missouri for restoration to have it done right.

My suggestion? If you have one that works and is a Quadrajet, have Jerry re-do it and go from there. Look at swap meets the next 20 years until you find one. Or, find a generic one in a junkyard with the right carb body configuration, and have that one re-done. No one will know, if you're not judging it.

Please send me (e-mail) your Corvette serial # (last 5 digits), and if you have any specific questions. I'd like to see how close our serial numbers are.

Thanks. Patrick Hulst

[Jeff Heuer]

Re: Looking for 1971 carb and air cleaner

Hi Paul,

I just recently experienced a similar problem. I have a 1970 small block I recently purchased. Everything is stock on the engine except it had a holley carb. I tried to locate a quadrajet on bulletin boards and meets and had no luck. Since my car is more of a weekend cruiser, I found the best option was to get a correct carb from Corvette Central. I just received it last week, and it looks exactly like the stock carb with linkage and vacuum provisions. The only difference that I can see is that the number isn't correct. It only cost me $200, and it is completely resotred and rebuilt, with no core required. An option if you want it to look and fit correctly, even though it is not "correct."

Good luck! Jeff Heuer NCRS# 30819

[Michael Sealy]

Re: Looking for 1971 carb and air cleaner

Jerry Luck Motorsports in St. Louis will have your carb. His phone number is 314 895 1551. He is pretty backed up, but have been told he does one hec of a job on carbs.

Your breather assembly is the open element type. You can order from several of the catalog houses. My preference is Paragon....Quality parts.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Looking for 1971 carb and air cleaner

Paul,

As I noted before, I agree that Jerry Luck can help you. I am thinking of sending my 3rd unit in a year to him.

Disagree on open element air cleaner. I believe 70 (and earlier) had open element, but 71 and 72 with base motors (270 or 200 hp respectively) are closed element "dual snorkel" units. It's just that everyone changed them over the years to open elements because they look so much better.

See the NCRS specs or Dobbins' 68-72 book if you need supporting documentation.

Good Luck!

Patrick

[Jack H.]

Re: Looking for 1971 carb and air cleaner

Base '71 SB did come with dual snorkle vs. open element. Had to step up to LT-1 to get open element. Don't overlook Mr. Goodwrench for your air filter case. Just bought a complete open assy (lid, base, filter) sans flame arrestor, hose, wing nut, label from the local Chevy dealership that gives us an NCRS discount for $89!!!!

Boucoups less than repro catalog prices. But, you gotta know what you want to end up with! This is a GM service replacement and lacks silk screen on back side of lid plus has subtle metal forming differnces here/there. So, if you want a full concours assy, that's one thing. If you want to save money and get something that's 'correct' but will take a few points of deduct on the judging field, don't overlook GM.

On the carb. You can throw money at the issue with the sources given you or shop around now that you know what you're looking for. Bear in mind, the 213 Q-Jet will have two forms (built by Rochester or built by Carter). Date coding methods differ (Rochester is Julian date system while Carter is alpha-numeric system). I had my original 213 and I can testify that Jerry Luck did a BANG UP job restoring it (warped, leaking, plating gone).

So, ask yourself where you want to wind up and when. Then, set sail on the course that makes sense to you. Read the Judging Guide to see and learn how date codes and list numbers appear on your Q-Jet and you just might find that elusive 'correct' core for $5-20 at a swap meet or in a scrap yard. I find 'Corvette Only' carbs at the yards all the time that came off tuckered out passenger cars who got 'em through swap out local rebuilder shops years back....