63 Eldorado carburetor

[Daniela]

All, 
I am currently on the finishing line to get my Cadillac back on the road. The engine is already back in but the mechanic now ran into a new problem - he cannot adjust the carburetor bc the screws are stuck. 

Now I am looking into finding a new or rebuilt replacement. He suggested to buy a rebuilt one with all the caskets from CaddyDaddy and I just wanted to see what your suggestions are? I asked him if it was possible to get a new one e.g. from Edelbrock (something I found via google) but he said that it would not fit espc. since my car has cruise control. 

Happy about any feedback. 

Thanks
Daniela

[Daniela]

Hi Tony, thank you so much for the feedback. That matches about what my mechanic said - I just wanted to make sure.

[3ft7bqmb7dryo]

What carb is on the car? Either a Carter or a Rochester. I have a working Carter for sale. However, I recommend a Rochester. 

[Daniela]

Thank you all so much!
My dad decided to surprise me and had already ordered the one the mechanic suggested by the time I woke up today.
I will take that as a late Easter present or a very early Bday one.

[Daniela]

Dads are the best!
Mine has a couple of classics back in Germany but he is already planning to take my Caddy out for an extended trip through the USA.

And the best part is since I got my car him and I spent a lot of time talking and him explaining me things. It’s all via phone or Skype but it still a joined project.

[Jason Edge]

The 600 cfm Edelbrock 1406 would be a nice replacement as it is a direct bolt down, with no mods to intake required, throttle linkage is the same, gas line is the same if you had the Carter AFB (Rochester has a different gas line), and the only issue is adding an adaptor plate for the TV rod to your Hydramatic transmission.  You would want to replaced the stock intake to carb spacer with the PCV nipple and replace with an aftermarket spacer/insulator. All of this is noted in a help page I posted way back at this link:
https://6364cadillac.ning.com/forum/topics/edelbrock-1406-1411-inst...  I went with the 750 cfm 1411 with my 429 which requires mods to the intake due to front port size on carb, but the 600 cfm 1406 would be perfect for your 390 application and close to the stock cfm (gas flow) rate. You can show that link to your mechanic as one option.

I am guessing you want to get the car on the road ASAP. I saw that the Caddy Daddy price for the rebuilt Carter is $485 and Rochester is $499. Those prices are not bad, and could get you going very soon if they have one on the shelf. There is a huge $400 to $500 core charge so you want to send them your old one. If they don't have one ready to send out they need to provide a specific turn around time. OH, and keep your same carb type. Both Rochester and Carter are fine carbs.  If they have a long turn around time, check Hemmings Motor News, as they have over a dozen rebuilders listed including some, like Daytona Parts Co in Smyrna Beach, Fl that I remember hearing good things about. 
Perhaps others can refer good rebuilders here with quicker turn around times, or post to the CLC forums for reputable carb rebuilders and bet you will get some good responses. Again, if Caddy Daddy has the correct carb ready to ship, I would probably go that route. Just my opinion. In the big scheme of things $500 is not that much to get your car on the road.. which will be priceless! 

[Daniela]

Hi Jason,
Thanks for all the information.
My dad and I had talked about a new one from Edelbrock. I found that article you mentioned after I posted here. But with the odyssey I had with the repairs so far my dad made the decision to buy the carter one from caddydaddy instead of trying to get the tv rod adapter plate. The mechanic said he had already spoken to them and it is in stock.
So fingers crossed that I get the rebuilt one in a couple of days.

[Jason Edge]

That is fantastic! Sometimes it is just better to fork over a bit of booty and get the ride on the road. I know you have already waited too long! 

[Daniela]

I won’t be able to join for the whole trip since they are planning a 2-3 month trip. But I will try to fly in to some of the cities they have planned to see on the weekends.

I do love the time spent with my dad even if it’s over quite a distance and we do get a ton of laughs in - like me squeezing in somewhere holding a flashlight and a mobile phone camera so my dad can look at things. Unfortunately he sometimes things my arms are about a mile long. lol

I know that normally the first year is all about getting the little things fixed - this engine reman has added another year to this due to a million delays that could have been avoided.

For the breaking in of the engine my das has given me very detailed instructions and we will be doing parts of it together. But I am always happy to get some more tips and tricks.

Overall, it’s been a year of learning and a lot of frustration and yes, sweat and tears.
Now I am just looking forward to the time I can do all those already planned day trips and picnics.
More of the little things I have on my list to get done/improved will just have to wait a bit for the time when it’s either too hot here in the Carolinas or too cold.

Thanks so much for all the kind words.