The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop My truck was running fine until...

..I rebuilt the Rochester carburetor, now I cant take it out of 2nd gear on a slope...! (Dont fix it if it isnt broke!) I'm very dissappointed. Somewhere in a past post I spoke of black smoke out the tailpipe on start up, & someone suggested I rebuild the carb. I was careful & put back all that I was supposed to.

I will say that I found I was running without a base gasket for over 20 years..there was one in the rebuild kit so I used it... What about this? ANd why don't they put a new mixture screw in the kit? I could use one....HELP! This is my daily driver...!

Pinyada,

When you installed the base gasket did you make sure that the holes in the bottom of the carb base lined up with the slots in the base gasket? It sounds like the holes in the base of the carb might be plugged by the gasket. Sounds like the power valve might of lost its vacuum signal because its vacuum port is plugged by the base gasket.

Try removing the carb and making sure that none of the ports in the base of the carb are blocked by the base gasket. The slots in the gasket should line up with the holes. Good luck and keep us posted.

I would highly recommend swapping to one of the newer 2 bbl carbs available from Langdon's Stovebolt for a good price. Either the Holley/Webber or the Carter/Webber. I just put one on my '52 and it has never run so good.

However, if you want to stick with the Rochester, I can send you my old Rochester 1bbl. If interested, e-mail me.

Aha...! I see small print now on rebuild instructions that manifolds with "heat riser" DO NOT use gasket..yes, gasket was blocking those "holes"...gasket in garbage...runs a bit better, now I'll need to play with timing again as I changed it out on the road trying to improve performance....

Pinyada,

Glad to hear we were able to help you out. I hope you did'nt take out the trash yet...you still need the gasket between the carb base and the intake or you are at risk of creating a vacuum leak and a possible lean condition. I am not sure why the rebuild instructions indicate that the gasket is not needed.Just make sure that the slots in the gasket line up with the holes in the carb base when you reinstall the gasket.

Good Luck,

Jon

Any other opinions out there on the gasket yes-or-no...?? the gasket that came with kit does not match up...should i cut holes in it to match heat riser...? Somehow the NO gasket is true as thats how I found it...need to hear more feedback on this if you please...

I've had'em w/o a gasket, just the thick insulator - I think the 57 I've got now is that way - works fine

Bill

I would. Why not? You won't hurt anything.

Here's a tip. To locate the holes exactly, secure the gasket to the mating surface with temporary bolts or just hold it down by hand, and carefully tap the gasket with the ball end of a small ball peen hammer. The holes will be marked in exactly the right locations with no error. If you tap it enough, you can just punch out the holes by hand.

In fact, to add to the above, I often make my own gaskets this way. Just get gasket material and ball peen hammer it over the mating surface, and you have yourself a perfect gasket everytime.

The carb on my 216 has no gasket.

Just make sure that you torque those bolts down good. Otherwise you have a leak problem and it throws the mixture off.

Guys - I'm still new at all this and learning as I go, but I just wanted to say what an education it has been reading both the posted questions and responses. Thank you...and sorry to have interupted the flow of otherwise valuable info. And thanks to Stovebolt Page for all of this.

I think you will find them with and without gaskets. I put one on mine, but had to cut holes to open some of the ports. Seems to work ok. Haven't had it on the road yet.

Question for Hotrod Dad About New 2 BBLs.

Will they bolt right in without any modifications to either the manifold or the linkage. I would like to have one, but I've been working on this thing for over one year, and right now I would just like to get it finished and on the road. I don't need any more aggravation right now. Thanks Allen