Help w/ 79 Scottsdale

[lt1kicker]

Just picked up a 79 Scottdale 4x4 last night.  Runs good for an old truck, but has some issues that need corrected before I put it on the road.  The carb needs rebuilt, an old Quadrajet on the 350.  Should I replace it or get someone to rebuild it? 

The lights dim and brighten w/ engine speed.  Is this a sign of alternator or voltage regulator failure? 

Lots of oil leaking from the valve covers.  Should I R&R the intake gasket when I replace those as well? 

[Captkaos]

Q-jets are pretty easy to rebuild, but you can buy a reman from most major parts stores.

lights sound like a bad alternator.

I would just replace the valve cover gaskets.

[lt1kicker]

$294.30 for a rebuilt Q-jet from Advance.  I think I can actually save some $$ by going with a Holley.  Is that a good idea? 

[Blazin]

I would take a well tuned Q jet over a Holley any day. Better milage as long as you keep you foot out of the secondaries and in my opinion more reliable. I will say I have had excellent luck with the Holley 500 that I rebuilt four years ago on my 55. But have had bad luck other Holley's over the years, and have always been happy with my Q jets.

[lt1kicker]

Well, I think I'll probably have my Q-Jet rebuilt.  Not a problem.  Just have to find someone to do it.  A lot of people say it's a PITA. 

[Captkaos]

I have to agree with Blazin.  I wouldn't put a Holley on anything that I wanted reliability out of.  If it was a race car that I was always working on, sure.

I never really had problems rebuilding one.  I picked up a q-jet from Autozone for about $250 a last year.

[VileZambonie]

It's not a PITA it's easy. I can do it with my eyes closed practically. Your rebuild kit comes with a part explosion. If you've never done it before just lay everything out carefully and orderly or spend $250 at autozone and get a reman

[lt1kicker]

I think I'll rebuild it.  It's not running very bad at all, so that's probably all it needs.