The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop ROCHESTER CARBS

I have a '51 Chev 3100, w/'58 235, Offy 2X1 intake with 2 Rochester carbs. I have had the things rebuilt by professionals and I have rebuilt them. I am continually doing this.

Questions: Is there a carb that will bolt on in place of the Rochesters? If so, what and where can I find them?

Thruwurkin
Kennewick, WA

Carter, Stromberg, and Zenith all made carburetors which will work.

Jon.

Stovebolter "carbking" is the king of carbs. You'll find his business quickly with a google search for The Carburetor Shop.

Holley model 1904 from '56 and up Internationals and early GMC V-6 will bolt up also, and the jets interchange with current Holley 4 bbls. You will have to fabricate the linkage as the throttle lever is on the wrong side.

Bill is correct about the Holleys. I guess my prejudice is showing. These things are an absolute bear to modify, so I don't generally consider them at all.

However, they can be used where other units cannot if one has a hood clearance issue, as the Holleys are at least an inch shorter than the other units.

Jon.

We just made the linkage with longer arms to fit the carbs, rather than modifying the carbs. Still, a direct bolt on is always the best choice. I've just had bad experiences with Rochesters and Carters, the Holleys were available so I didn't mind doing the fabbing to make them work.

Langdon's Stovebolt sells Carter-Webbers, progessive 2 barrells with electric chokes, and they work nicely for about $60 apiece. You've got to buy an adapter and linkage since I don't think the one that works with the leakchesters will work with the carter-webbers.

Thank you all for your fast replies. You folks have cost me a bundle. I just got off the phone with Langdon's Stovebolt.

I bought 2 Carter/Webers, 2 adapters, 2 air cleaners and a linkage kit. $355 including shipping. I won't get them till next Monday so I won't drive the '51 till after they are on...don't want to take a chance of burning it to the ground with the "Flushchesters".

Thanks again

Thruwurkin
Kennewick, WA

It isn't new to hear some of you complain about the "leaky" Rochesters. I'm using the one that originally came with my truck. As far as I know, It has never been rebuilt. I have cleaned it externally - once. My truck starts instantly, even after weeks or even months(during a project) of not being started at all. I get good gas mileage, good performance, and it doesn't leak. I can't help but to wonder why all these rochesters leak after they have been "rebuilt". Am I just lucky?

I was lucky enough to find a NOS Rochester on ebay. I bolted it on and it runs fine no leaks fires right up in the morning. But....I have had bad luck with rebuilts. I have 4 Rochesters sitting in my junk parts bin. Once you open em up they are never the same.

I recently rebuilt my Rochester B , it had the classic warped air horn issue and was full of crud. I was ready to junk it when realized how bad it’s condition was , but having nothing to lose I bought a 12 .00 rebuilt kit and used the replacement air horn gasket as a template to make one out of fuel grade rubberized cork material , the thicker gasket sealed up the air horn leak and the truck runs great . if you search carbkings posts he has instructions for reshaping the air horn and float bowl , however I perceived that marital happiness was at risk if I where to use the oven for carburetor improvements.
Brice

I hope I am just as lucky with the 2 I will be using soon. They are also NOS. I'll be putting them on a an Edelbrock. Still riding the fence between split manifold or fentons.

What prompted this question? Last Thrusday morning I started the '51 and heard a small "pop" somewhere, shut it down and started it again. This time no pop.

On Friday morning I started it and got a big "POP" and the truck was running rough. I checked the tailpipes and one was smoking black..real bad. I tried to adjust the carb for the rear three cyls...it would not adjust and had fuel pouring out of it when the engine was above idle.

I ordered the Carter/Weber set up from Langdon.

Today I checked the oil and found that it was about 1/8" above full and smelled like fuel. When I pulled the Horrorchesters off there was about an 1/16" of fuel laying in the bottom of the intake manifold.

I'm trying to get the truck ready for a cruise on the 23rd. Sure hope the new carbs get here soon.

Thruwurkin
Kennewick, WA

I have a 69 C-10 with a 250... Will the same replacements for the Rochester work on mine as well??

thanks!
- Joe

I can't answer that. If you call Langdon's Stovebolt @ (586)739-9601, he will take the time to discuss what he has that will work for you.

Please let us know what you find out.

Thruwurkin
Kennewick, WA

I finally got the Weber Carbs from Langdon Stovebolt hooked up and operating. I took the '51 down and had the carbs balanced on a machine.

Best money I ever spent on the truck. Very easy installation and the truck has never run smoother and quieter. I haven't checked the mpg yet but I can tell you that it is gonna be much better than the 10-11 I was getting with the Rochesters because I have about 60 miles on this tank and it off the full mark. With the Rochesters, I was getting 40-45 miles before it came off full.

The paperwork that came with the kit stated that this setup would work on engines up to 250cid with multiple carbs

Thruwurkin
Kennewick, WA

I think that I'll keep my Rochester for now... I figured out my problem, it's something in the gas tank or the sending unit.

thaks for all your help guys.

- Joe