Rochester Carburetor Rebuild

[Seth G.]

I believe my original Rochester Carb on my 71 small block may need rebuilding (after 46 years). I understand these things can be tricky and complex so I am trying to determine who the best people are out there for the job. Does anyone know who the top people are for rebuilds now a days? Thank you!

[Mike F.]

Re: Rochester Carburator Rebuild

Lars Grimsrud v8fastcars@msn.com

[Mark E.]

Re: Rochester Carburator Rebuild

A couple of thoughts for you Seth-

- If the Q-Jet is operational beyond being tired and dirty, and has not been modified or butchered, consider refreshing it yourself using a rebuild kit. The level of difficulty is similar to an erector set (if you're old enough to remember those) and only requires basic hand tools. Instructions can be found in the carb kit, factory overhaul manual and youtube. If it's your first time, take lots of notes and photos during disassembly.

- If it has issues beyond being old and dirty, I highly recommend Cliff at http://cliffshighperformance.com . He is one of the few remaining Q-Jet masters.

Common Q-Jet issues include stripped threads (especially the fuel inlet), warped airhorn from over torqued screws, worn throttle bushings, leaking fuel bowl plugs, stained or faded finish. Even with these problems, you may decide to outsource specific repairs then complete the cleaning and assembly yourself.

Be choosy about which kit you use, and always replace the float (not included with some kits). Cliff sells the highest quality I've seen.

Be careful while cleaning the airhorn and fuel bowl. Dipping these for hours in carb cleaner (like I used to always do back in the day) will damage the finish. Lately, I preserve the outside finish by cleaning with a soft brush and mild cleaner like Dawn, and limit the use of aerosol carb cleaner to the inside and passageways. I understand some of the new environment friendly solvents are easier on the finish, but I have not tried them.

Good luck.

[Daniel S.]

Re: Rochester Carburator Rebuild

Tom Zeeman in Long Island is a great resource. Ghhost Performance (with two h)

Tell him I sent you!

Dan

[Seth G.]

Re: Rochester Carburator Rebuild

Thanks everyone. Spoke to Cliff at Cliff's High Performance in TX and think I'm going to send it out to him to clean and rebuild. Appreciate it.

Seth Gordon
Clifton Park, NY

[Mark E.]

Re: Rochester Carburator Rebuild

Good deal. Cliff is in Ohio so be sure you have the correct address.