Original QJETS from the Past

[Dan Fahey]

Sharing an interesting experienice

Yesterday dug out my 2 original -207 QJets kept in storage 40 years hoping to reinstall on the 1969 Impala.

Raced the Impala 1976 to 1981. Originally a Bob LaSala car.
Had to put it away and it sat.
Life changes, starting an IT Consulting Staffing company and raise 3 great kids.

1005 bought a new Impala SS and proceeded to bracket race and set up for IHRA Pure Stock. 2years ago moved the F/PS to J/SA.
But the 1969 Impala is still under reconstruction.

Answered an advertisement of a person looking for -207 QJet.
Which is when they got pulled out of storage.
One was Built by Bobby Warren the other WALee.
One got Rebuilt by Headworth.

What is interesting.
I have the original GM Box that WA Lee sent his Carburator.
Has the addressed sticker on the box.
Sales slip in plastic envelop dating 1/25/1985.

It was a blast from the past.
As if nothing changed, but everything else did.

May be able to finish the 69 Impala later this year.
Collected all the parts.
Got help and just needs assembly.
Even have the original Moroso Copper Plated Valve Covers and Air Filter.

Dan

[Cdncarnut]

I thought that I was the only guy who had a Headworth Q-Jet.
It has been sitting since I bought it a few years after buying my car, off the guy who I bought my car from.
I am not expecting much, but you cannot have too many spares...

[Jeff Stout]

My Hedworth carb had more MPH then my Stanfield. ET was the same for both

[Jeff Niceswanger]

My first carb was a Hedworth. Back then you could still buy 207's new from GM. They had torx bolts instead of flat heads. And one of my last was a WA Lee. Frank Jorden had it and redid it "his way". I had a new QJet every year for Christmas. I always tried a new one from somebody. Danny Ashley and I tried several, and Jimmy Boburka s ended up being the fastest one.Gulius has these 2 Boburka dyno carbs. Every year at the US Nationals he would make sure this one particular cab was on someones car. Mooreheads, Iaconio's, Joe Franco... one of his customers always did the deed and ran his carb. He shipped it to me one year. I was testing at Trails with the Wilkes as they had rented the track. I got a phone call from Gulius asking me how it was going and if I had his carb on. I didn't really want to piss with it as I had already had it on my car a couple times and it was no faster than what I had been running. I reluctantly put it on and went up to make one of our final passes. Randy Wilkes was holding the time ticket when I pulled back in as the printer was on the starting line. I couldn't believe my eyes. 6 hundredths ! It picked up over half a tenth. So we made another hit and it repeated. After the US Nationals Gulius called me to discuss the week and I ask him how much he wanted for the carb. He said it wasn't for sale.I said "Wrong answer John, how much? We went back and forth and finally I said "Come up with a price John...I aint sending it back"! He came up with some crazy *** price and I of course gladly paid it. The thing is, its interesting how some motors like certain character carbs. I had had that carb on that motor before. But whatever spacer, camshaft, fuel, jetting, ect was in that carb that day was perfect for my setup. When I sold the 993 I let Kevin Melhorn have it as it was part of the package. He died and I have no idea whatever happened to it.

[richie 2]

love these carb stories..i remember in the 80s the price wars....ive heard jason lines units can be expencive...but im sure they fly.

[Jim Parsons]

Jeff, through the years I have had several Q-Jets from all the name builders with a similar experience. One or two have perhaps been slightly better mostly in MPH but not anything significant. However I do have a couple old W.A, Lee 207's with one that’s always .05-.06 better every time it’s put on! Me and my old friend John Hladky tried several times to duplicate only to screw up some other wise good ones. It also has been lent out for class wins and record runs. The strange part is it has been dynoed several times against others and doesn’t show any more power regardless of the Jetting! It does run rich down low and goes lean at higher RPM’s and I assume why it’s not so driver able in the pits.

Gary Stinnett named it” Magic Johnson” and like yours no it’s not for sale.

Jim Parsons

“The more I know the more I want to know”