Rochester carb, rebuild, or replace?

r66sd · Addicted!

Rochester carb, rebuild, or replace?

beaumontguru · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Is it a Quadrajet or a 4GC?

That price seems insanely high. has it been sitting in the bottom of a river? wink

Carb kits for either are about 20 dollars. 4L of carb cleaner is about the same.

Take it apart, take reference photos. Soak overnight. wash parts, Resemble in about 1-2 hours max.

Even if you had to buy new choke, float, bushing kit for plates, etc, etc. you would still be well under 100 for parts.

With one exception: if it is a 4GC with a cast iron base, and the plates are seized with rust from sitting in the bottom of a river, then, yes that price would be correct to have the shafts replaced, etc, etc. I've seen those 4GC's rust bigtime.

If the carb is on your car and working(poorly). Then all it should really need is a carb kit and a good cleaning.

-- Edited by beaumontguru on Saturday 16th of May 2009 01:37:49 PM

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Sounds like an easy question but it is not.

I prefer a well tuned quadrajet BUT I have an Edelbrock Performer 600 cfm with a ZZ4 intake on my car.

If you get a new carb it is not a matter of just putting it on. You will almost certainly have to get a new intake, reroute fuel line change linkage brackets etc...Square bore or spread bore carb? Manual or electric choke ? Never underestimate the benefit of a proper operating choke, and a new carb just won't work with your stock manifold properly in this regard. You say you are not mechanically savvy. If you have to pay someone to do all this you will be closing in on a G note.

I suggest the rebuilt quadrajet, stock intake. $300 to $400 is the going rate in Toronto but the carb comes back looking like new, bench tested and ready to rock.

Given that you are self identified as not mechanically savvy, please don't take your carb apart.

-- Edited by 73SC on Saturday 16th of May 2009 01:51:23 PM

mfleury · Poncho Master!

i'v been down that road stick with yours and get it rebuilt but not for 3 or 400 $'s

2drpost · Uber Guru

3-4 hun for a 'restored' carb is not outta line. is it going to be replated? most older carbs need the throttle shaft bore bushed to correct vacuum leaks. it's more than just a carb kit, most good rebuilders will replace the float, the choke pull-off. a couple hours of his time.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

$300 to $400 for a rebuld is the ball park for what will essential be a brand new quadrajet. We know an expert here in Toronto but since you are on the west coast shipping may be out of the question for you.

Beaumont4008 · Uber Guru

Just checked Summit They have the Jet Performance carbs in

stage 1 for street #367.95 US

stage 2 street/strip $373.95 US

Stage 3 strip $396.95 US

If I was given the choice of giving some one I know 300 to 400 bucks just for a rebuild I would rather purchase a stage 1 or 2 carb from Jet. Unless it was a profesional restoration job as 69 belair sugested.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

So that $368 US is $440 of our money before duties and taxes so make it a round $500 for the carb. Miscellaneous items like fuel line and filter and and brackets and springs and studs call that a low ball of $100. Not Mechanicaly Savvy so pay local shop to install and set up, 2 hours ? = $170. I'm at $770 and there is probably more. That $300 rebuild is looking pretty good biggrin

Stephenzone · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

i would check napa i bought a fresh rebuilt 4GC for the 283 in my truck and it was still less then $300

Beaumont4008 · Uber Guru

73SC wrote:

So that $368 US is $440 of our money before duties and taxes so make it a round $500 for the carb. Miscellaneous items like fuel line and filter and and brackets and springs and studs call that a low ball of $100. Not Mechanicaly Savvy so pay local shop to install and set up, 2 hours ? = $170. I'm at $770 and there is probably more. That $300 rebuild is looking pretty good

Its hard to argue with you when you put it like that. Dam !! I was trying to think of points to argue with you but could not think of anything. LoL

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Beaumont4008 wrote:

Its hard to argue with you when you put it like that. Dam !! I was trying to think of points to argue with you but could not think of anything. LoL

Not trying to be a jerk on this one, it all comes down to one's ability or not to work on the car. This can be a very expensive hobby if you have to pay someone else to do the work. I wouldn't rebuild my own carb frankly but the one's Gene does here in Toronto are awesome, restored really not rebuilt.

Personally I wouldn't think twice about pulling a carb and intake and bolting on new ones but I've seen this simple task completed in two hours and a six pack hand cuff guys into have a non runner for the summer!

59poncho · Poncho Master!

why not just try a rebuild kit first and see what happens, i did it with a little help from the great people on this site, and im not too mechanical either. i have a rochester sitting here that im going to rebuild for my brother and i figure its already messed up, how much more could i mess it up?

r66sd · Addicted!

Thanks for all the advice guys, I think it does come down to ones ability, and I have a feeling that for me it will be better to just have it done by a professional. I have heard that he is extremly talented at doing carbs and also tune ups in general

Johann65 · Guru

r66sd wrote:
I have a original rochester 4 barrel carb on my 327 , that needs to be rebuilt . I have someone who is good at doing this ,but am trying to decide if it is better to pay him 300.00 to 400.00 to do this , or should I just get a new carb put on.

If you want to retain the Rochester, let me know the type number and I will send you all the detail on how to repair by e-mail via Todd. I have a Canadian GM Manual that is fully informative!

I had my Monojet rebuilt, bolted on and works perfectly. Had to adjust idling screw half-a -turn! Air None! No flat spot, instant response!
Good profesional. Cost? about $50 CAD. Local cost for kit about $15 CAD. He had to hunt for parts and re-bushed the shafts. Worth every penny!

-- Edited by Johann65 on Sunday 17th of May 2009 03:25:03 AM

Astro Jet · Poncho Master!

Take it from someone who has taken literally hundred's of Q-Jets apart, if you are not mechanically inclined, you DO NOT want to do this job. As others have stated, you will very likely need to re-bush, epoxy the wells, etc., this is something to leave to a professional who will also flow test when done. With all the rods, springs, little levers, etc., it takes some skill to line everything up when re-assembling, I still find it challenging after all these years!

59poncho · Poncho Master!

i just looked at my rochester a little closer, and i dont think i would try and rebuild it myself either!! A lot more little bits and doodads in there than my old 2 barrel! So scratch my comment from earlier.