Damn Thermoquads.

-
Throw the piece of **** in a dumpster. I had one of those things burn a 73 new yorker to the ground.
That's my advice
 
The choke is not hooked up. I am used to Holley Carburetors and since I rarely drive these cars when it is 50 degrees or colder, I haven't needed a choke.
Is it fair to guess that this carburetor needs an operational choke to run right on a "cold" start even if is not technically cold outside?

Absolutely, they run very lean. But can be adjusted to start and run like fuel injection. Always run a choke though.
 
I'm with the 'hook up the choke' crowd. I've never had one work right without it, had very reliable service and decent performance and economy (relative term) with them. I think they are a fabulous street carb. If you're racing, get something that's infinitely easier to tune..
 
Absolutely, they run very lean. But can be adjusted to start and run like fuel injection. Always run a choke though.
Maybe I fixed it...
I dug through my parts stash and found a choke spring and lever assembly that fits. It keeps the choke door closed when cold so that engine vacuum pulls fuel through. It starts without even pumping the pedal!
Thanks for the suggestions.
 
Holleys are just easier. Not better. Because some guys can't tune them well enough, or easilly enough, Thermoquads are known as problem children. From the sound of it the carb's not set properly. Check float level, make sure the wells and well seals are intact, and set the choke per factory directions, and it should start and run just fine.
 
It's easy to tell people who have no mechanical ability, or brains. The TQ is arguably the best production carburetor offered during those years, it will make power, and is capable of more economy doing so.....
 
I love TQs. I just love them. If you spend a little time getting to know them you naysayers might too.
I think most guys just want fast relief and are willing to plunk down the big bucks for a race carb, and then complain about the crappy fuel mileage.
Holleys are for fast adjustments. Fast jet changes, fast PV changes, and a very tuneable pump system.
Since they were designed for racers, who cares about the idle circuit, as long as it will in fact idle.Who even cares about fuel mileage on a race car.This is where street carbs excel, stretching your fuel dollars.
On the street, we don't need to get into the power jetting on a continual basis, to wring out the last 5 horsepower. Heck the speed limit is 60/65 and we can do that sometimes in first gear. So as long as the power system is close we are good to go. But we spend a huge percentage of out time on the low speed circuit, and the powervalves. This is where the TQs are fast, easy, and can be tremendously accurate.
So some will say you cannot get fuel mileage into the deep 20s with a Holley, and for the most part they might be right. But give me a TQ, and when the Holley maxes out in mpgs, the TQ ain't even breaking a sweat yet.
Oh and about that fabulous accelerator pump system on the Holleys? They need it to cover their other deficiencies. And if you have to ask, then you will have to spend a little time getting to know them, both of them.
Each of these has their pluses and minuses.
I have seen junk examples of both.
 
Holleys are just easier. Not better. Because some guys can't tune them well enough, or easilly enough, Thermoquads are known as problem children. From the sound of it the carb's not set properly. Check float level, make sure the wells and well seals are intact, and set the choke per factory directions, and it should start and run just fine.

Really get out to the track sometime see how many racers are NOT using the "plastic carb"..You know the guys that race seriously..
 
Usually only Holleys burn your car to the ground. You could not give me a HOLLEY.

Really you got some examples??..I find most that bad-mouth Holleys DON'T know how to tune them:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
ah, the old "Choke me or forget it" TQ issue (sounds like a girl I met...) . I had one years ago that did the same thing, forgot about that one. About gave up on it. Thought it was a fuel issue back then too. TQ had some serious brains behind it when it was designed. All in the name of 70's driveability.
 
I find most that bad-mouth Thermoquads, DON'T know how to tune them.
Or just don't have the parts.
And there-in lies the problem.Us TQ fans usually have a stack of them to rob parts from. Since nobody wants them,they are always free.
For the price of a new Holley, I can spend as much time on a TQ as I need to. Up here, we have to pay about 30% exchange, plus federal and provinciall taxes. Plus brokerage fees and shipping. That can add over 60% to the cost of that shiny new racecarb
 
Last edited:
ah, the old "Choke me or forget it" TQ issue (sounds like a girl I met...) . I had one years ago that did the same thing, forgot about that one. About gave up on it. I KNOW HER!!.......... come to think of it I MISS HER!!
 
Really you got some examples??..I find most that bad-mouth Holleys DON'T know how to tune them:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Not here, they are in the same category as Chevrolets, once you find something better, I have no interest in constantly "tuning" or " fixing" a Holley or Chevrolet.
 
This Dart Sport is really not destined to be anything more than a fun street car anyway. It just needs to start easy, run well and perform at all rpm ranges.
I do have more experience with Holley type carburetors and agree that they are infinitely tuneable. They also seem simpler to take apart and clean if crud finds its way inside. I have cars that sit for months and the Holley equipped cars have been reliable.
This issue with the operational choke may convince me to consider ThermoQuads for future builds. I have a 71 Duster that will become a 340 clone. I plan to do what I can to replicate the entire 340 package. Those had ThermoQuads, right?
 
Summit racing shows 258 brand new holley carbs for sale...

Summit racing shows 2 rebuild thermoquads for sale...

Pretty much tells the story
 
Considering the first time this checked how many TQ's they rebuilt, I'd say so. They had a good many ready to go.
 
-
Back
Top