carb rebuild

[sea wolf]

My boat is an '87 with a 3.0 omc cobra. I've owned it for a few years & I think it's time for a carb rebuild as I've never done a thing with it besides change the filter. The thing is I've never rebuilt a carburator. What is involved in a rebuild? Anyone up for a quick lesson? I have plenty of time as the boat is down for the winter. It's a Rochester 2bbl. Anyone know where I can get a rebuild kit? Thanx a bunch.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: carb rebuild

Get the numbers off the side and go down to your local NAPA shop. I just picked up the rebuild kit for my 87 4bbl Rochester and it cost me $25 for rebuild and another $10 for new float (figured that while I had it in pieces..might as well replace). Having a friend assist me with the rebuild in a couple weeks so..I am no help with that aspect.<br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[hoot]

Re: carb rebuild

my 2bbl is simple to rework. hardest part was remembering how the external rods and levers attached. you will need the float settings. i'm sure someone here has them.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: carb rebuild

sea wolf Don't fix it unil it's broke.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Eggkr8]

Re: carb rebuild

Hi Sea Wolf <br />1) I agree wih DHP, if it ain't broke....<br />2) I just rebuilt my Rochestor 2 Jet on my Mercruiser 110. It isn't hard IF you have done a carb rebuild before. In other words, it is a straightforward rebuild but carb rebuilding is a skill of it's own<br />3) NAPA is your best bet, DON'T forget to bring your Carb TAG number with you. I got my rebuild kit for $13.00 and the new float for something like $10. All the adjustment specs will be provided with the new kit. DO measure and record all your original measurements. If you do a search you will see my posting from a few months ago where I had a conflicting float drop setting. I ended up setting th float drop to the setting of the original

 

[Boatist]

Re: carb rebuild

I agree if it is working good leave it alone. If your having performance problems then go ahead. Play colse antention to the holes in the gaskets. Some kit come with several gaskets but block one hole with the wrong gasket and you will be sorry your ever took it apart. Always change the accelerator pump. Dont lose the check valve. Double check the float height and drop before you put it back together. Check the float good while you have it apart, any questions replace it.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: carb rebuild

Thanx for the responses. The last few times that I ran the boat I noticed that on a cold start the choke was not closed. I would have to pump the gas to get it to start. It also runs a bit sluggish even after warm up. It doesn't need a tune up, as I changed plugs, points, cap, etc., etc.

 

[Rainmaker]

Re: carb rebuild

One more small thing. Some kits don't come with the accelerator pump. You'll want to buy one.<br />mike

 

[Eggkr8]

Re: carb rebuild

Hi Sea Wolf,<br /><br />Not to be 'Obvious Man' but did you clean the carb yet? I would start with some good Sea Foam Carb cleaner and follow the instructions. After this, adjust the choke (this should help you start) If the choke will not open all the way, then you may just need a new bi-metallic spring for the choke or use the opportunity to upgrade to an electronic choke.<br /><br />You could solve your problems with a $4.50 can of Sea Foam and 15 minutes instead of $60.00 and a few days of tuning corrections

 

[sea wolf]

Re: carb rebuild

Thanx, eggkr8. What's Sea Foam or will some regular carb cleaner do the trick?

 

[Eggkr8]

Re: carb rebuild

Sea Foam is a product I have heard about and just started using it this year. It comes in either a spray can or in a pourable bottle. It is the same stuf fin either one. The spray is great for cleaning carbs (yes, Gumout and the others will work fine). What Seafoam is mostly known for is how it acts as a Top Engine Cleaner. Actually, if you have never done this before, I think you would find some power by doing so. The instructions are on the can. it is pretty easy

 

[Don S]

Re: carb rebuild

SeaFoam is not a "Carb Rebuild in a Can" it may clean the trottle bores and plates and the choke, but it can't do anything inside a carb. It does nothing for setting float level and drop, replacing needle valve, cleaning out passages, replacing accelerator pumps or any of the other things that a carb rebuild does. It's just a carbon remover, and you don't find carbon inside a carburator. Pistons tops and valves yes, carb no.

 

[Eggkr8]

Re: carb rebuild

It sure did a great job on cleaning tarnish and all the other crap in my carb when I rebuilt it a couple months ago.<br /><br />No, this is not 'carb in a can', does nothing for gaskets or floats but I have seen a good carb cleaning take care of so much where people thought they hard larger issues<br /><br />On the same note, keep away from the 'engine rebuilds in a can'!

 

[deputydawg]

Re: carb rebuild

Don't mess with it unless it needs it. The carb is not a regular routine maintenance. But if you do, use a digital camera and take a lot of pictures of it first so you know how everything re-connects. <br />These carbs are very simple. Just remember keep everything clean and follow directions well. Be gentle with parts, They damage easy. Also work on top of a large white rag or sheet or something. Often smal parts fall out and get lost easy.

 

[highaltitude]

Re: carb rebuild

the trick with carburetors is recognizing what needs attention. its not what you see outside that counts!!! good luck.