Thermoquad worth it - or no?
I never use another carb over a Holley. Also, don't the TQ center sections tend to melt?
No, they do not melt. The "Phenolic resin" (SP?!) AKA plastic is almost the same compound as the new resin there using for the GM/Ford etc intakes the last few years.
What the big issue is with the TQ carbs and the rap they get for the center section of the carb is the heat of the engine can warp the middle plastic section. When the TQ was in full force, the engines started to run hotter and leaner due to the Gov.'s tighter tail pipe control.
The center section, if heated up to much, will warp. It is possible, however unlikely, that you can mill the top section flat. A lot of care must be taken to do this. By hand is the preferred method. Face down on sand paper. Mild warps can be cured this way. But the odds are low. The resin body can get really bad.
(Disassemble them cold at all times)
TQ's can also crack. Then they leak fuel all over the place. IF the crack isn't to bad, JB Weld can seal it up.
Sometimes, the crack is in the base of the carb and it may not be possible to fix. It depends on how bad the crack is.
The worst is when the bottom of the plastic bowl's little "Caps" that form a well for the primary jets break. You basically screwed then.
Long life from these carbs depends on them not over heating, keep them cool, run a thick base gasket like they did when new. Watch your engine temp's.
