VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Is It Too Late For This Carb

I just start to fix-up my 1950 235 Chevy by rebuilding the carburetor. It is a Rochester Model B. As I was re-assembling the Main Body to the Throttle Flange Assembly, I notice that even after tightening the two parts together with the gasket between them, there is a large air space. In other words, the main body is warped! Does this mean what I think it means. Do I have to replace the carburetor? If so, where would you recommend a good source for a new/rebuilt carburetor might be? Still a Newbie.

I've had good luck with Joe\'s Carburetors . They are an old time firm and do a good job.

Here is a thought; suppose I take a flat piece of glass 12" x 12" and tape some fine sandpaper to it. I then take the Main body aluminum warped body part and in a figure eight shape, sand the base flat. What do you think? Would it work?

Looks to me as if it would be worth a try. You might also consider visiting a salvage yard or two often they will have some of these carbs sitting around on the back shelf and they may have one you can work with.

You might also try using additional gaskets if it is not too badly warped...or, Napa sells a rebuilt carb for about $119 if your budget permits. It sure wouldn't hurt to try your idea, though.

Before you begin sanding, remove all the other parts from both assemblies and try refitting them to verify that nothing else is causing the gap. You probably already did this, it's just a precaution.

George

just one or two questions, Was the carb on your car and running before you noticed the air gap? If it was running ,probably not since you decided to rebuild it, did it have several gaskets between the base and float bowl?

I have bought several of these carbs on eBay and so far I haven't had one that was warped.

The car was running very badly. When I separated the two half’s, there was only one gasket. I thought the float might have been the problem, I did not notice this air gap between the throttle flange and the main bodies until I tried to re- assemble them.

I've been told that the original factory early carbs had a " domed " or rounded top which warped. They were replaced with a square top which is a renforced version. I don't know which cover is on a model B , could this be your problem?

No it is where the cast iron throttle flange meets the lower aluminum fuel bowl assembly. There is a .010 air gap in the center even with the gasket installed.

If you have enough "meat" on the bottom of the lower bowl, the base of the bowl can be milled flat to mate with the throttle flange.

Thanks for the inputs I think I should sleep on it. Not the carb