I don’t know that it’s been done here, but somthing I’ve pondered:
1) Somehow acquire or rebuild a Rochester B to “pristine” condition. Might take a NOS carb (properly freshened up) to achieve the level of pristine I am imagining here.
2) Rebuild a proper YF (let’s just say 2100s for this thought experiment) to similar pristine condition.
3) Run both, on a well-tuned 235 in a functional vehicle, through a series of measurable performance and drivability tests.
Not sure exactly what tests. Some of the performance stuff is easy to set up. The ease of starting, smoothness of acceleration, etc….that would take a bit more thought. An air fuel ratio gauge might be the best tool for some of it.
Overall idea would be to determine just how good a “B” can be at its VERY best compared to a YF. There are many of us (including yours truly) who have been fully converted to the YF fan club based on a before vs after experience. However, I’d say most of us (including yours truly) were starting with a B that suffered from the common “didn’t age well” shortcomings of the Rochester: unknown mishmash of parts, warped castings, etc.
I’m curious how much of the B’s (deserved, IMO) poor reputation can be attributed to THOSE issues vs. engineering flaws that would have been evident day one in 1950 on a brand new carb. (For instance, a bit of an odd power valve setup)
I’m not curious enough to actually try any of this, just thinking out loud.
Last edited by JW51; 01/07/2026 6:14 PM.
