Wiggly Speedo and Leaky Quadra

Wonder what makes a speedometer needle dance up and down when driving slow?

And, I just rebuilt my Quadrajet - my '78 T/A zooms, but now it seeps fuel from the front corners of the top gasket. Would that mean the float level is too high?
I have it adjusted to 17/32" and the big front bolts are torqued to 46 lb-in.

Yes the front top of the bowel is warped lower at the bolts - but the airhorn is warped accordingly to fit. I've always wondered if two gaskets can be used.  

speedometer bounce...

bent speedo cable casing...   not enough lube...    too stiff a lube or too much lube...    i have also found that heat from exhaust systems may not truly cook the outer cable.. but it makes for hard spots in the core... carefully flex the cable core as you get it out.. if you feel a stiff area...  you will probably need to at least replace the core...

if you have a 78.. with cruise control...   you could have your cruise control signal generator or what ever they call it on the fender going south...   they break a lot of cables when the tiny amount of lube dries in them.. they are also the main problem with metric 200 transmissions stripping the speedo drive gear on the output shaft...   the gear that you have to totally tear the trans apart to replace...

with a 3/16 socket... you can take it apart carefully and clean and lube it..       replacement cables and casings are available.. for many applications...     and speedo shops can make most casting and cores...


as for the leaking quadra jet.. i have taken apart several that had double upper gaskets on top of the float bowl...

here are a few articles that will give you a lot of tips...  if the links don't work when you cut and paste them.. look carefully.. something puts spaces in the addresses...

http://www.circletrack.com/techarticles/ctrp_0607_quadrajet_tech/index.html

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/edelbrocks_q_jet_carburetor_replacment/index.html

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_0908_qjet_carburetor_rebuild/index.html

http://www.superchevy.com/technical/engines_drivetrain/induction_poweradders/sucp_0012_gm_rochester_quadrajet

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/projectbuild/148_0403_1974_chevy_camaro_z28_quadrajet

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/49860_rochester_quadrajet_carburetor

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/0606ch_jet_performance_products

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/0802phr_how_carburetors_work  

Wayne, your a veritable wealth of information - thanks greatly! The links you give me always work and always help. The first thing I do when I get a T/A is take off everything having to do with the cruise control - I hate those things, they are as unnecessary as automatic headlights that come on at the most inappropriate times.
I first noticed the speedo dancing after putting a more accurate gear in, so the lube is probably the deal.

Appreciate the tips!  

This link was particularly helpful about the difference in changing metering rods and jets.   http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/projectbuild/148_0403_1974_chevy_camaro_z28_quadrajet/index.html  

since you will have the cables off it to lube the casings..    spend a minute... see with a small screw driver wedged into the square drive and see how easy the gears spin...  if it squeeks...  or binds... take it apart and lube it...

it only takes a few minutes... taking it off will require a special adaptor to hook the different sized ends of the speedo cables together..

or a whole new speedo cable from the trans to the speedo head...  which means probably pulling the speedo head...  

Great, I'm on it...thanks again!

By the way, on the carb leak deal, short of putting a double gasket on top, what do you think would make it leak in the first place? The Haynes book shows 17/32" float level, and it's all torqued down right.  

I know some carb. re manufacturing companies seal the q-jets up with a epoxy sealer to prevent leaking.  
professional hi-performance engine builder

Horsepower sells engines and torque wins races

You mean they put epoxy on the gasket? Seems like that would be a little messy if you need to readjust anything inside - although effective. What do you think about the float level causing the leak?