I have a 73 340 auto TQ and I couldn't get the air cleaner bolt to go in. Well, took it apart and find out the someone broke off the old stud in the base plate of the TQ. I tried to drill it out but that is getting me nowhere. I just need to pick up another bottom plate. Are the bottom plates pretty much the same through all the years? I also noticed one of the bowls was dry, leaked out through the bottom of one of those little caps on the bottom of the bowls. How hard are they to fix and what to do?

Thanks,
Howard

The 1973 340 TQ carbs will be the 1-3/8" primary carbs and probably the 1972 would work also for you. 1971 340 carb is a slightly different animal so no go on it. Hopefully someone can verify or deny my claim. In 1974 the 360 motor used the 1-1/2 primary carb so it would be different.

Your jetwellls are leaking and need to be re-epoxyed using JB Weld. It resists gasoline very well. You don't really have to remove the jetwells if you scrape all the old excess epoxy off and rough up the plastic all the way around with sandpaper. Apply the JB Weld all the way around crack/line but not too thick so the base gasket fits. Sometimes people have broken the jetwell/plastic body trying to pry them apart.

If you have the carb apart heat from a propane torch will work.