I came across a 79 Camaro for sale and it's all stock except for the carb, the seller claims that the car does not run due to the car missing the original carb and him having put on an Edelbrock 4bbl, is this even possible? I know it. can affect performance but haven't heard of it stopping the car from running.

 

I don't know how you would put a 4 brl carb on a 2brl intake short of some goofy adaptor and it surely wouldn't work very well.
More likely they put an Edelbrock carb on a stock Quadrajet intake,depending on the Edelbrock used it could be a spreadbore like the Q-jet which would bolt on the stock intake or it could be an even bore which can also be used but with an adaptor.
I think the seller probably doesn't know what they are talking about.

 

I have seen the Mr Gasket ones and it more hassle than its worth.

 

I have seen some pretty crazy stuff people you do not know what they are doing have done. You right is it was all installed correctly it should start and be gut-less over 3500 RPM. If the carb is installed enough to seal vacuum and you can open the choke then you should be able to start the engine on carb cleaner. You should be able to keep it running long enough to check oil pressure and hear the valve train.

I say someone not knowing what they are doing because it is way easier to get a 2 barrel in almost any condition running then to do a half a$$ conversion like this. I to have seen those adapters but they where common back when used 4 barrel intakes where very costly. Now you can find a 4 barrel GM intake for $15-25 at just about any flee market.

 

Generally, does not work very well.