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Have a 216 engine from 1950 Chevy 3100. Bought a Rochester off ebay and my mechanic doesn't like it because it leaks gas and he says electric choke is better. He had me order one from Summit and now says that one doesn't fit. How does a Bolter find a good carb for a 216?

Sounds like you need another mechanic.

what he said. There's nothing wrong with a manual choke if you know how to work it. and if it leaks gas, adjust the float level, and make sure the gaskets are good... a simple rebuild COULD be in order... is your mechanic a young guy?

Ditto on the mechanic.

If you have a 216 intake manifold, the carburetor mounting post-to-post distance is smaller than on later 235 intake manifolds.

http://www.classicparts.com/1947-53-Carburetor-Rebuilt-216/productinfo/81-021/#.U0KXj8dRG2c

http://www.classicparts.com/1947-59-Carburetor-Rebuilt-235-CI/productinfo/81-025/#.U0KXqcdRG2c

Is this what you ordered from Summit?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/urm-3-312/applications/make/chevrolet/year/1952

If not, what is the part number you ordered?

An electric choke was not used on any 216 carburetor.

I think that no type of automatic choke was used on any 216 truck carburetor/manifold.

Any Rochester 1-barrel carburetor with any type of automatic choke would have the wider, non-216, mounting-bolt pattern/distance.

Mechanic is young. Part number was URM-3-313.
Have ordered the rebuilt carb from Classic Parts.
We'll see if that works.
I appreciate the helpful comments as always!

The URM-3-313 is listed for a 50-51 car automatic (235 Powerglide). I think it would have the wider base.

Hope that the URM-3-312 has the narrower base (assuming you have the narrower base intake manifold). The URM-3-312 is listed as working on a 216 with manual transmission - the narrower base manifold.

Good luck - please let us know how this works out.

An electric choke IS BETTER.......than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!!! (but not much better)!

Personally, I remove automatic chokes from those vehicles of mine that came with an automatic choke, and install manual chokes.

As stated above, the 216 manifold mounting is 2 11/16 inches bolt center to center, whereas the 235 manifold mounting is 2 15/16 inches bolt center to center.

Carburetors for 216's are MUCH easier to find than carburetors for 235's.

You might show the following article to your mechanic:

http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/Automaticchokes.htm

He/she probably won't agree, but the article might provide "food for thought".

Jon.

Again, ditto with these other guys on the auto chokes. I have always preferred manual chokes over automatic chokes. The manual choke very simply gives YOU control over how long or how short the choke is engaged. Most young mechanics I have met don't even know how a carburetor works much less what it is. Fuel injection is the new technology and that is what these young mechanics are taught in tech school. I'd find an ol' guy mechanic.

Ditto on the manual choke. I only need to choke my 49 216 during the 1st cold start of the day and after it starts I immediately go to full wide open choke. I don't need to choke anymore that day.
As an fyi I rigged up a fast idle clip that I use to open the hand throttle "just" enough to simulate the fast rpm the choke cam provides.

Very simple; old mechanics for old vehicles young mechanics for everything else.

Young mechanics grow older, and acquire experience. There some older mechanics that have issues as well. I know some younger mechanics that are VERY good with older vehicles.

The key is the attitude of the mechanic. No one knows everything. If the young mechanic has the attitude that he/she is willing to learn, he/she might turn out to be a really good mechanic.

Jon.

The days of going to the local parts store and ordering and getting the correct part is becoming a thing of the past. Any mechanic making a broad statement condemning a manual choke and saying to get a carburetor with an electric choke because its better is misinformed. The owner of the vehicle should do his or her homework before jumping online and ordering parts. I made my living for 25 years working on cars and trucks and I know I made my fair share of mistakes along the way. I was and still learn new things all the time. I give the owner cudos for coming here to learn about getting the right carburetor for his truck. Many of the young guys are good at what they do as are the old timers, the flip side is that many of the new guys are hacks as are a fair share of the old timers hacks. Being able to choose a quality mechanic either old or young takes some time and knowing how to ask for what you are looking for and expect from the repair you are going to have done. Don

Automatic chokes allow women to drive cars.

Appreciate all the good advice.
I will try to find a really old mechanic!

I tried to order a carb at Classic Parts, but they will only rebuild one with 6-8 week turnaround. I bought a rebuilt one from ebay and it looked SHINEY.

I started the project from a rusty chassis. Once I get the engine happily running, I have painted fenders just waiting to go on. I can't wait to make some real progress on the truck.

Thanks for all the helpful (and hilarious) comments!

Just because its true, doesn't make it 'right'.

There's nothing more enjoyable than a sexist joke.