Respected Vintage Carb Rebuilding/Restoring

[Norm C.]

Am original owner of 72 T-Top sb/manual. Tried to have the carb rebuilt by a very respected vintage carb rebuilder here in the greater Seattle area. He discovered the inner walls of the body are swelling and flaking off which is pinching the movement of the floats. While he as a few Quadra Hog cores, he doesn't have a Carter built 7042203 with a build date that applies to the 1st week of Nov 71 build date. For the Carter that would be E1-J1. Three questions: 1. Want to locate a Carter built core, but in worse case scenario, would the Rochester version with correct part and date code be correct for judging. 2. Is the Rochester part number the same as the Carter? Judging Manual doesn't seem to indicate if so? 3. Tried to find some recommendations for a Carb rebuilder in the archives but the shortest post date was 5+yrs ago. Are there any well known local builders out there still restoring correct carbs. Would rather not deal with the large rebuild shops, due to many problems getting original parts back, don't do correct dated carbs and or so many modify them to be acceptable to wide range of applications. Sadly so many of the "Boomer" age mechanics are either retiring or dying at an alarming rate. Thanks in advance to all that can help me!!!

[Frank D.]

Re: Respected Vintage Carb Rebuilding/Restoring

There are a few choice carb rebuilders that do originals: Bob/Robbie Kunz, Chuck Smith, Daytona Parts....

You could call Ron or Tim at www.daytonaparts.com and ask your question. They've been doing carb restoration for many, many years and have all the Carter original microfiche files for reference...

[Larry M.]

Re: Respected Vintage Carb Rebuilding/Restoring

Also contact Custom Rebuilt Carburetors in New Jersey. They have an extensive webpage with listing of many of their carbs. that are for sale. They do rebuilding and have good reputation.

http://www.customrebuiltcarbs.com/vi...RowPrinted=180 Shows 4 #7042203 carbs for sale..........but all Rochester. But I would call and inquire.

Larry

[Patrick H.]

Re: Respected Vintage Carb Rebuilding/Restoring

...the inner walls of the body are swelling and flaking off which is pinching the movement of the floats.

I have a hard time imagining this happening, but maybe that's just me. If you have a photo, I'd love to see it.
I have about 15 spare Q-jets here, and haven't seen that in any of them.

Most of the 7042203s are Carter-built as you have noted. I don't recall seeing one that wasn't, but they may be out there. Either one should be the same internally, and the part number is identical, but of course the date code is different. You can likely find cores on eBay if you're patient.

I would check out Eric Jackson to see if he does Q-jets. I was a bit disappointed with Custom Rebuilt Carbs in NJ when they did my Cutlass carburetor and swapped parts out on it.

[John L.]

Re: Respected Vintage Carb Rebuilding/Restoring

I also recommend Custom Rebuilt Carburetors in New Jersey. They have done work for me and it was first rate.

[Frank D.]

Re: Respected Vintage Carb Rebuilding/Restoring

He discovered the inner walls of the body are swelling and flaking off which is pinching the movement of the floats.

Errr...yeah - that's a new one on me....

[Richard G.]

Re: Respected Vintage Carb Rebuilding/Restoring

Were you using ethanol gas?
In general we tend to blame it when there is no other evidence of what went wrong.
Even 100% fuel just setting for long periods does weird stuff.
I for one would like to know why it turns to the awful smelling varnish.

[Duke W.]

Re: Respected Vintage Carb Rebuilding/Restoring

I for one would like to know why it turns to the awful smelling varnish.

Oxidation of some of the fuel components... probably the heavier ones that have boiling temperatures of over 300F, so they stay in the bottom of the bowls for a long time. It's usually a problem on cars that aren't driven often enough or fuel tanks on cars that have sat for years with a couple of gallons of fuel in the tank. For long term storage the entire fuel system, including the tank, should be drained.

Duke

[Norm C.]

Re: Respected Vintage Carb Rebuilding/Restoring

Thanks to all that have replied so far!! Much appreciated!! To Patrick, Frank and Duke responding specifically to your comments. I too was as dubious as Patrick as I too had not heard of this happening to carbs. The rebuilder called me within an hour from dropping it off. (I now live about 90miles from Seattle so he was willing to do it on Saturday if I could stay in town to late afternoon) He gave me the bad news and asked me to come back to see for myself. (I put a very small nick near the base to be sure I would get back my carb) He was very patient to show what's going on by using a small pick and showed how it was flaking. He also didn't try to sell me a none correct body when he understood my car is a (98% original unmolested car). Most of the wall damage is where the floats operate. You can see in a couple of places where some flaking has fallen off and can also see swelling or blister like on the walls. I will try to share some picks when I get this resolved.

He's seen this before but said it's not a regular thing at all. He knew Carter was making Q-Jets for Rochester due to a strike back then. He can't remember if he has seen this in a Rochester Q-Jet. He wasn't hesitant to definitively lay blame on one source but believes its a hit & miss kinda thing.

I've ck'd the builders offered. One of them showed a correct one on their website for my application but the website was not current and its no longer available. If there are any other suggestions, please respond when able. Patrick, any chance you'd be willing to sell one of your cores?

Thanks again for all the help, super appreciated!! Norm

[Patrick H.]

Re: Respected Vintage Carb Rebuilding/Restoring

Ebay item 131957849433

[Norm C.]

Re: Respected Vintage Carb Rebuilding/Restoring

Thanks for thinking of me Patrick. I did previously see this one but its build date is after my car. I've tried to contact
the seller but hasn't returned my calls. Two of the other rebuilders offered are builders who only rebuild carbs for
C1s & C2s Thanks again!!

[Tom L.]

Re: Respected Vintage Carb Rebuilding/Restoring

When I finally found a correctly dated carb for my car I used a local re-builder who came highly recommended. When I dropped it off he examined it in front of me and noted that there was some flaking in the area of the fuel inlet. He made me real nervous when he explained that this was not uncommon for Carter castings but wasn't sure why. He took it apart in front of me and noted that the flaking was not to bad and was only in the area of the inlet. I think he used some kind of sealant in those areas. Once on the car it has worked great. Never mentioned swelling though.

[Norm C.]

Re: Respected Vintage Carb Rebuilding/Restoring

Thanks Tom for sharing more background on this anomaly for the Carter Carbs. The rebuilder I'm using said almost the same thing. After showing me the minor flaking, he showed me slight swelling on a couple of walls and said that may be a beginning spot for the flaking. He too said he could do the same fix you described. As it looks like its going to take a while to locate another 7042203, I'm going to have him complete the rebuild, so it can be used while knowing the issue is there. Glad to hear other's out there have had a similar experience. Can't understand why its showing its age when its only 45yrs old!! LOL btw, Would you mind sharing the name of your builder. He might know someone who may have a core. Thanks again Tom. For everyone else, any other referrals to a local carb rebuilder are super appreciated!!!