The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop I seem to be lost....

Okay gang! I did a search and it would appear that what I need to replace my leaky, old Rochester B on my 261 is a Carter YF 3211. Great! Now I know what I am looking for. But a half hour search of the internet (and yes, I started with the stovebolt 'links' page)has revealed to me that my chances of actually finding one are about as good as the chances of getting my Rochester to quit leaking! HELP!!!! I am very poor and getting poorer by the second trying to get this beast on the road! Where can I get a decent carb for a 261 without mortgaging my soul? I really need to keep it under $200.00 if at all possible. Even that much is going to hurt bad, but I gotta get this thing driveable! Any suggestions on where to look would be HUGELY appreciated. Thanks.
David :confused_smile:

David,

If you want it drive-able and inexpensive, get a 235 Rochester carb from AutoZone or Advance Auto. It will most likely be jetted for less volume of air/gas than is optimum for the 261 but it will bolt up and work - for less than $100.

Make sure you get the right year (the air cleaners attach differently on the early and late 261s/235s).

I have bought at least three Rochesters from AutoZone and none leaked (if it leaks within the warranty period, take it back for a replacement).

Tim

David,
A quick look on ebay now & I see #'s 250160165593 & 260154656123, $30 to $40 will probably get either one, as mentioned above, get the right top. Buy a couple, they're cheap, & mix the parts to create what you want. I picked these, looks like you want an auto. choke, judging by your 3211 #. There's several good looking manual choke ones on there now too.
I can't imagine a $200 YF. I recently bought a 4700 series AFB, the old preferred model comp. series, for $40!
Doug

Thanks guys!
I was just about to start reconsidering pushing the thing into a rock pit full of water. (we have a lot of those around here.) Anyhow, I went back to ebay again and these are what I found. These are excerpts from the descriptions and I bid on both of them. I think I bid 25 bux on each...

"operable Carter YF carb, removed from a running GMC 270ci engine."

This is a used Carter YF one barrel carburetor. It fits a 1957-62 Chevy 235, 6cyl. The throttle shaft moves freely. The carburetor number is 3211S.
Doug, I didn't know the 3211 designation indicated automatic choke...I would really prefer to use my manual choke but at this point will go ANY route to get this beast useable!!!! Is it much of a job to hook up my manual choke cable to one that has an auto-choke?
David

Oh, also...
the first one just says 'Carter YF carb from a running 270ci engine' but gives no model # Do you think it will work for a 261?

On either of these, will I need to change the jets or anything to optimize them for a 261? I am clueless when it comes to carbs.
Thanks, David

Ive swapped the chokes on other carbs, but Im thinking you might have to get one of the 10$ kits at the FLAPS for the little pieces needed.

Good luck, Jeff

I'm sure Carbking will be along to comment in a while, but I think the YF from the 270 would work pretty well on a 261. A minor re-jet on the mains should be all thats necessary if you need to do anything.

Great! I was kind of hoping Jon was still around. I have been out of the loop for quite a while and wasn't sure if he was. I seriously doubt if anybody knows more about carbs than he does!
The bidding on that carb ends in about 4 hours and so far, I am the only bidder. The info says the seller will also give it an ultrasound cleaning for an additional $15.00 Think that would be worth doing?

Oly,
In case you ever need some hard to find parts again, there's a guy close to me in Miami, Ok. He buys & sells old Chevy / GMC truck parts. It is Tom Meyers Truck Parts. 918-542-3871. I have been buying from Tom for several years.

KT
1949 3/4 ton Chevy...1950 1/2 ton Chevy