I had a reputable shop do a motor & carb rebuild on my 74 and have had carb. problems(I think) ever since. After say 500 miles, the plugs fouled. Mechanic said I must have done something wrong and sent me off with new plugs. Well it happened again and I told them to fix it. They pulled the carb. and had the rebuilder check it and did some adjustments to run less rich. Well, I now am seeing signs it is still running too rich. Plugs have alot of black dry deposits, the air filter is very dirty on inside and the car hesitates when not used for a period and warmed up for a long time. Also, I was wondering why the idle has since increased from 900 to 1000? The mechanic claims he has checked ever thing twice and if it fouls again that I need a new carb. since some of these original Rochesters just cannot take a rebuild. I think he just does not want to incur the cost to get it rebuilt by someone else. The choke seems to operating properly. I have decided to fix this myself since I think I am getting alot of BS and have had to fix other things they screwed up. I have read on this forum that this guy Lars can fix any carb. and would be interested in getting advice how to proceed. Thanks guys(and gals) and always find great advice from members.

 

John -
Just got on and caught your post...

You're correct in assuming that somebody doesn't know what somebody is talking about... There is no such thing as a Rochester that can't be rebuilt (I've never heard of one that "can't take a rebuild"), and I'll bet my Pinto that you don't need a new carb. You have something funny going on, and it may or may not be with the carb.

There are a few things you can do, and going back to people who don't quite seem to know what they're doing isn't one of them...

First, if you have the tools and ability, you need to check to see how the engine has been set up on the ignition side. Improperly set timing and timing advance will often disguise itself as bad carburetion. Make sure your initial timing (with vac advance disconnected) is set up around 12-14 degrees. If you understand how to set it up for TOTAL timing with an adjustable timing light, do this, and set the TOTAL for 36. If all this checks out, there's a good chance that something funny happened to the carb. If you're not comfortable with going through a Q-Jet, you can send it out to me, and I'll run it on one of my engines and set it up correctly for you. Costs usually run $100 if it needs a complete rebuild, but chances are we can save yours for less than that if it's already had a good kit installed in it (I'll just tear it down, find the problem, re-use the gaskets and most of the parts, and set it up right).

If you need help or assistance, drop me an e-mail at home at

V8FastCars@msn.com

or at my office during the day at

lars.grimsrud@lmco.com

If you want to talk "live, send me your ph# and I'll give you a call to talk to you about this.

We can definitely get you set up right with no problem. Keep in mind, that there is the possiblility that I get the carb from you and it runs just fine. If this unlikely scenario were to happen, I can then help you troubleshoot the rest of your system.

 

Lars,
Thanks for the advice. Will check timing and if OK will send you my carb. this winter when I have a chance to work on it. Thanks.
John

 

Keep your receipt, sounds like the guy mucked up an engine job to me.
Try to make him feel guilty, if the guy has any pride in himself or his work
he might do the right thing.