I am rebuilding a rochester B carb I bought many years ago as a rebuilt carb for a 1954 235 truck engine. It never worked particularly well but was "good enough"
After taking it apart, it appears that the power piston may have been the problem with this carb all along. The stem is bent, and the end of the stem that contacts the check ball is mushroomed out. I am sure that the check ball could never have seated because of this.
The stem of this power piston is hollow, and there is a small hole at the base of the stem before the piston starts. I looked at some other rochester carbs I have on the shelf, and the rochester for an old 216 engine has a solid stem, as does another rochester for a 235 engine. The I also have a 1953 235 auto choke rochester, and it has the power piston with the hollow stem, but a different size hole.
I am going to need a new power piston, but now I question if the one that was in this carb was the correct one.
Would love to hear from somebody who might be familiar with the rochester B carb, who might know the difference between the solid and hollow stem power piston. Thanks.
Kurt
