Hopin someone could help me out. I have a 68 Cutlass Supreme Holiday 4dr. I believe it has a 2BL carb. Its had a drain-back issue since I got the car. Cold starting is a bit tough unless I pump it a bit. Lately some issues are hesitation while accelerating, fast idle, rough idle when stopping. I am sure a few of these issues will clear up once I run some carb and choke cleaner this coming weekend but the drain-back issue I read is common on older GM carbs.

That leading to my question..am I better off getting th original carb rebuilt or buyin an aftermarket carb? My car has a 350 Rocket 5.7L v8. I don't drive it hard but I do use it to commute 15 miles round trip daily mostly freeway. I do enjoy the quick accelleration and a little more power. I am not looking for anything too extreme. I've looked at some Holley and Edelbrock carbs that are around $299. My local carb specialist quoted me $260 on a rebuild. If going aftermarket what size would be appropriate without having to make other upgrades. Thanks.

 

A '68 Supreme came standard with a four barrel Rochester carb...if you have a red breather it is probably a four barrel and if it's black then it is likely a two barrel...have a look under the lid and let us know... a cleaned up Rochester works pretty well...

 

"I am sure a few of these issues will clear up once I run some carb and choke cleaner this coming weekend but the drain-back issue I read is common on older GM carbs."

Throwing Carb cleaner down the barrels really does not help. You should tear the Carb apart and then squirt the Carb cleaner through each gas and air passage; and if you tear it down you may as well buy the 1 gallon car of Carb Cleaner (with basket), soak it, wash it out with water, and if possible blow it out with air. If no air is available squirt the Carb cleaner through the passage to push the water out.

 

I can tell you that I just rebuilt a Rochester 4 bbl. on a 1955 Cadillac. I had never done a carb rebuild before, but I am mechanically adept and have the necessary equipment to take on virtually any task. I did not find the job that difficult at all. She now purrs like a kitten! Also, the rebuild kit itself, cost me all of $50!

To see/read about what all is involved go to -
Cadillac Carb Rebuild

 

Rebuild the carb for $25 plus your time. I did on my 2 BBL and it runs real well. Unfortunately, the PO neglected it for a long time and had all the idle adjustments so far out of whack that it took me a while to get it right. But now I am glad I did a rebuild. I just bought a 4 BBL, but I think I am going to run the 2 BBL for a while.

d1

 

One thing most people don't do which can save grief down the line, is to change the Carb's Float. The plastic ones and even the tin/lead ones will gain weight by assorbing fuel. Spend the extra thirty dollars and buy a new Float.

 

If it is going to cost you that much to have it rebuilt then either rebuild it yourself or buy an aftermarket carb.