The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop carter vrs rochester carburetors

Hi guys, I want to learn something about this carburetors. Which is better,advantages from each other, why I think the rochester is more popular, etc.
Thanks,
Alfonso

Rochester was by far the most popular, because they were cheap. Carter is a more complex carburetor, but I personally prefer a Carter over a Rochester.

What type carb are we refering to? 1 barrel, 2 barrel, 4 barrel.

Hi Alfonso,

I personally love the basic simplicity of a well built Rochester. But, a lot of alternate opinions and interesting information can be found in the forum archives. For an example of a recent and very well informed discussion try this

Hi guys, I´m talking about the 1 barrel carb works in my 1952 chevy truck
thanks again,
Alfonso

History:

In 1923, Carter and Chevrolet entered into a contract that called for Carter to supply carburetors, and allowed Chevrolet to also build Carter carburetors in the Bay City plant. It is well documented about the "C" on a Carter casting being a Chevrolet-built Carter.

In 1949, Rochester Products Division issued their first carburetor of their own design (on the 1949 Oldsmobile). This was the type "AA". It was quite common for carburetor manufacturers to begin their models with the letter "A", and double letters models for two-barrel units. Hence the AA was a two-barrel carburetor. This unit, with modifications, was continued into the 1950 model year.

In 1950, RPD released the model B (single barrel) for use on Chevrolet, incensing the management at Carter.

In 1951, RPD released a two barrel version of the model B for use on Cadillac.

In 1950, Carter management put on a push to develop a much superior carburetor to the model B, and produce models that were a direct replacement on all Chevrolet 6 cylinder products. These were the model YF's.

Opinion:

The model AA was a terrible excuse for a carburetor, and was discontinued after only two years.

The model BB was as bad, and Cadillac used it only for a year. Cadillac also used Carter in 1951, and since 1974, we have sold only 2 kits for a model BB on a Cadillac. Very rare to find even a Cadillac owner today that knows that they existed. Virtually all were replaced by the Carter units.

Rochester then came out with the model G in both two-barrel and 4-barrel versions, which were wonderful carburetors.

We used to restore the Rochester B; but VERY labor intensive to straighten the warpage caused by utilizing only 4 screws from the airhorn to bowl. Could I make them work? Yes, but only for a few years and the warpage would return. The warpage causes an internal vacuum leak which causes the power valve to stay open and creates an overrich mixture.

So:

You will see more Rochesters, because they were original equipment.

Many, like myself, feel the Carter is a superior carburetor.

Jon.

As soon as I read your question, I was going to write about Rochester B's 4 screw design. I see Jon mentioned it already!

This is the reason I went to a Carter YF. I've been happier with the Carter because it has 7 screws and, to date, no problems at all with it after swapping out the Rochester.

Bill