Hello, I have a 1976 2WD Longbed Chevy Silverado with a 1974 350 engine (3970014), a 1977 or 1978 R4-M4MC Rochester Quadrajet carburetor (17057504) and the possible installation of a 1976 starter.

I'm trying to find out how compatible they are. Haynes manual calls for 4MV carburetor. The truck had a 1974 starter on it but I am replacing it.

I searched for a 76 before I went to the store forgetting it would be based off of the engine not the vehicle. They didn't even have a 74, but it looked identical, including the specifications, except for the part that connects current from the solenoid to the starter was further extended but doesn't come into contact with anything that would seem to make that matter. Is there a major difference between the two that would cause a problem? Also, there was no shim previously on it. Would that change?

As for the carburetor, we bought the truck recently and it has never ran right. The vacuum lines aren't even all hooked up correctly (also can't figure out where they all go since the carb and engine don't match and I think all of the emission components have been removed), so I'm not sure if maybe it's part of the problem. I'm not really looking for help diagnosing the problems it's having (unless you'd just like to), but just for description purposes for the compatibility in question: It usually starts the first time or two, but a rather slow start, then gets slower and slower until it wont start. Stalls occasionally, stalling more and more frequently the more it's driven, the more it's been started, and seemingly when it's at a slanted angle. Doesn't matter if it's upward, downward, or sideways slant, but not every time and I'm not positive it's related. So far I have attempted to clean the fuse box and patch wires, replaced the battery and battery cables, replaced the fuel filter, and connected the distributor advance to the timed port instead of the choke thermostat, which has all helped the way it idles but not solved the problem. When looking at vacuum diagrams for this it really doesn't match because the engine and carburetor don't really match. Thought maybe it would make more sense and possibly run better if they did. What do ya'll think, does it matter?

Thanks!
R&S