1973 LS4 454 Q-Jet throttle spring.

[George H.]

What is the correct color of the single throttle spring for my 1973 LS4 454 Rochester Q-Jet 4 bbl carburetor? Should it be black or blue"? Just had the engine completely rebuilt and the one on it now is silver. I believe originaly it was black but Zip and Ecklers on line catalogs show it as being blue in color.

[Russ S.]

Re: 1973 LS4 454 Q-Jet throttle spring.

It should be pale blue.

[George H.]

Re: 1973 LS4 454 Q-Jet throttle spring.

Thank you. The one on it is not corect. I'll replace it.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 LS4 454 Q-Jet throttle spring.

It should be pale blue.

George,
If the spring on your car now is working correctly for you. There is no need to buy another spring. Just go to your local hardware or craft store and pick up a can of KRYLON #9166 Satin Island Splash. It is a perfect match for the 73 pale blue spring. See attachments.
Regards,

[Joe L.]

Re: 1973 LS4 454 Q-Jet throttle spring.

George,
If the spring on your car now is working correctly for you. There is no need to buy another spring. Just go to your local hardware or craft store and pick up a can of KRYLON #9166 Satin Island Splash. It is a perfect match for the 73 pale blue spring. See attachments.
Regards,

Jimmy------


Yes, but the can of paint might cost more than a correct spring.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 LS4 454 Q-Jet throttle spring.

Jimmy------


Yes, but the can of paint might cost more than a correct spring.

You're right Joe!
I thought about that as soon as I posted it. But then with today's shipping charges he might still save a couple bucks!
Regards,

[George H.]

Re: 1973 LS4 454 Q-Jet throttle spring.

Thanks you all for the feedback.

My 73 is the 3rd Corvette I've owned. Bought it in February 1980 in Gainesville Florida from John Hooke, a good friend who I worked with. He purchased it new in Sept 1973 in Jacksonville. I've owned it for the past 37 years. After sitting in the garage for the past 25 years not being driven, I decided to make it road worthy in 2014 and had D&M Corvettes, Downers Grove IL do all the mechianical work needed to make it drivable and road worthy. Being a Florida car, it has no rust. They did a good job but took them 12 months to complete the mechanical restoration. Spent $36,400 and that is probably a lot more than its worth, but it is part of the family. Now, its never been painted. Do I or don't I? Its original Yellow Metallic with deluxe black leather interior. An original LS4 454, M21 4-speed with facory air. It still has the A.I.R. pump and EGR valve on the engine. Nice that I have all the original dealer paperwork. Just might be a car on the road To Top Flight.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 LS4 454 Q-Jet throttle spring.

George,

Great to hear about another 73 being brought back to life and enjoyed. With the amount of money you've already spent on the car, I would say you will be keeping it as a member of your family for a long time. There is nothing wrong with that. However, it is a big block close ratio air car which is the one to have. Plus, Metallic Yellow was a one year only color too. (Just looked at your 'about me') Your car also has all the other desirable options PB,PW,PS too! If your paint isn't real bad, have the car judged at one of your local NCRS meets. That's what I did. Have it Chapter judged anyway even if the paint isn't perfect. You'll be surprised at how well it does. Plus, you'll get tons of great information and feedback that will help you make decisions on how far you want to take the car, and how much more $$$ you want to spend. Just make sure everything works on the car so you don't get any deductions in operations. That's a 25pt. hit for each malfunction. Hopefully you already have the 73-74 TIM&JG for it. Don't forget to download the Judging forms for your car from here. They are free and they will help you go over the car.. If you decide to have the car painted, expect to between $5,000 to $10,000.
Take care! Good luck with whatever decision you make...

[George H.]

Re: 1973 LS4 454 Q-Jet throttle spring.

Great advice. I'm living in Wheaton IL and thinking about joining the Illinois Chapter of NCRS. Will not have it painted until understanding how best to proceed. D&M gave me a verbal estimated for repaint and body work (new front bumber and minor crack fiberglass repair driver side rear panel) at $20,000 and 4-6 months. That was an over the top major dollar amount and I'm on hold. Your paint estimate I belive is extremely low. Love it if if was really what an over the top original lacquer repaint will cost me.

[Peter G.]

Re: 1973 LS4 454 Q-Jet throttle spring.

George..it sounds like a great car! I would like to see it at one of our NCRS judging events. I have pretty much the same car minus I have the standard four speed and produced the same month of Sep. 72. My VIN is 2051. What is yours?

[George H.]

Re: 1973 LS4 454 Q-Jet throttle spring.

Vin # is 1Z37Z3S432231 (last month of production), body trim build L06, interior trim 404, exterior paint 953, engine No. T0619CWM 13S432231. Orignal minage, 72509.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1973 LS4 454 Q-Jet throttle spring.

D&M gave me a verbal estimated for repaint and body work (new front bumber and minor crack fiberglass repair driver side rear panel) at $20,000 and 4-6 months.

Short of another shop I know, I would suggest that you're using one of the more (most?) expensive Corvette shops around.
If it were me, I'd be getting estimates from other locations who have done Top Flight / Bloomington Gold restorations. The cost of the mechanical work should have convinced you of that.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1973 LS4 454 Q-Jet throttle spring.

Great advice. I'm living in Wheaton IL and thinking about joining the Illinois Chapter of NCRS. Will not have it painted until understanding how best to proceed. D&M gave me a verbal estimated for repaint and body work (new front bumber and minor crack fiberglass repair driver side rear panel) at $20,000 and 4-6 months. That was an over the top major dollar amount and I'm on hold. Your paint estimate I belive is extremely low. Love it if if was really what an over the top original lacquer repaint will cost me.

George------


The original front bumper cover, GM #6263597, was available from GM until recently and might even still be available. If so, it's expensive, though, with a GM list price of over $1,000.

[Russ S.]

Re: 1973 LS4 454 Q-Jet throttle spring.

If the car hasn't been hit that is way too high.

Great advice. I'm living in Wheaton IL and thinking about joining the Illinois Chapter of NCRS. Will not have it painted until understanding how best to proceed. D&M gave me a verbal estimated for repaint and body work (new front bumber and minor crack fiberglass repair driver side rear panel) at $20,000 and 4-6 months. That was an over the top major dollar amount and I'm on hold. Your paint estimate I belive is extremely low. Love it if if was really what an over the top original lacquer repaint will cost me.

[George H.]

Re: 1973 LS4 454 Q-Jet throttle spring.

I agree and thanks for the feedback. Have a good day.