carb choice, ROCHESTER Q, or the Carter I have

Hey Huys, I have posted several questions here and have recieved much help....THANKS!!!!!!!! I have recently purchased a 1970 conv,  and it has an auto trans. It has a  Carter afb carb, Kinda starts hard and seams a bit rich......I know I can adjust it, BUT, for a few extra bucks am I just better off putting the correct Q jet back in...I have the stock air filter and it does not correctly fit the Carter...especially with the adapter plate that rises the carb up a little. I realy would like to keep the car as original as possible as I think it makes a better investment, I say investment as that is how I justified the purchase with my wife, so, I quess my mind  IS made up on the q jet, But would like to know if it is a good carb and if that is what most of you are running in yours......Also I believe it to have the stock manifold, may have a slightly lopy cam, but, not sure...maybe thats how they all sound. Thanks for your help, and patients with my ignorance. E.M.

     I would have the Q-jet rebuilt and put it back on the car.  The Q-jet will perform as well as the Carter.  This keeps your car original and that sounds like the ultimate goal.  There are alot of members on this site running original carbs with no complaints. 

 You may wish to look at an Edelbrock performer carb.I am well pleased with mine,,rd

Does it still have the original intake manifold? It sounds like it since you mentioned the Carter has an adapter. If so, I would agree using a properly rebuilt Q-Jet. It will do everything you can reasonably expect from the engine.

If you decide to replace in the intake, I would consider an Edelbrock EPS with their 600 cfm Performer carb.   The EPS intake is designed specifically for their square bore carbs (no adapter needed) and is an excellent combination.

You will be very happy with the original Q-jet, if it is in good working order.  You may want to have it rebuilt by someone who knows the carb well, and then have it properly adjusted.  It will also give you the benefit of the original air cleaner.