Carb advice needed: repair,replace,upgrade

[troutlet]

I have a Rochester 1351-7354 2-barrel carb off of a 1979 Mercruiser 120hp. The carb sat for a longtime and was bogging down while accelerating. I currently have the carb off of the engine because I just replaced the manifold and riser. Since it's already off I'd like go ahead and have it taken care of correctly before I put it all back together.<br /><br />If there is a later model 'upgrade' of somesort I'd like to know about it if I could gain a bit of performance. If not, would I be better off to have this one rebuilt or go with one of the aftermarket rebuilds (Sierra)?

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Carb advice needed: repair,replace,upgrade

I'd buy a rebuild kit and give it a try. Doubt it's worn out, probably just needs a good cleaning and some new diaphragms and gaskets etc.

 

[troutlet]

Re: Carb advice needed: repair,replace,upgrade

Thanks Mischief. I have to admit though I'm not real confident in tinkering with something that could blow up . My carb is rusted in spots as well. <br />I don't mind spending a few bucks to make it right so I'm leaning towards having this one rebuilt/reman from National.

 

[SwampNut]

Re: Carb advice needed: repair,replace,upgrade

Look for a local place that does rebuilds. I just had a pair of Merc 2bbls done for $125 each. The kit was $50 and a tank of cleaner about $10, so I decided someone else should get dirty.

 

[troutlet]

Re: Carb advice needed: repair,replace,upgrade

Thanks Swampnut. It sounds like you found a good deal. I went with National. Its 168 but they completely remanufacture my carb. New finish too.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Carb advice needed: repair,replace,upgrade

168 is not bad,<br /> the marine kits run 50 bucks give or take and its an hour or two process at 75 an hour or so and you have a warrenty in case something was not assembled correctly.<br /> comes a time when you have to balance your skills,ability and needs against the cost of having the subsystem fixed and you reinstall it.