My 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 has a 1963 Oldsmobile 394 engine with a 2 barrel Rochester carb on it. A year ago I rebuilt the carb but had many problems with it so I had a carb shop rebuild it. The car initially seemed to run better but would occasionally have idling and starting issues. Sometimes the float would stick and flood the engine. Just this past weekend I tried to run the car but could not get it too idle. I then noticed the carb was leak fuel out of the throttle shaft and down into the intake pan making a big mess.

My question, does anyone know of any good/new replacement 2 barrel carbs that would bolt on? I would prefer a 4 barrel but then I would need to swap the intake and the car does run well when the carb works. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

Imagining your are very frustrated with the current carb flooding but that should be a fixable problem.

Sorry, don't know an answer for where to source another carb.

 

My first thought is, Do you have a good inline fuel filter installed ?

Is the fuel tank clean ?

 

^^^x2

 

If it is leaking gas out the throttle shafts, the rebuilder did a poor job. He should have put bushings where the shafts are. Squirts some starting fluid on the side where the shafts are and see if it makes a difference in your idle.

 

Thanks for the comments. Yes, the tank is clean as are the lines. I also have a good fuel filter in line and it is clean. Just tired of dealing with this carb and thought a new one would be a better solution than having it gone through again to install bushings.

 

Fuel leaking out of the bushings probably isn't due to bad shaft bushings, it is probably due to too high of a fuel level related to a float problem. The idle problem may be related to the worn bushings causing a vacuum leak.

 

I have a complete rochester 4bbl carb and manifold off of my 57, but it needs a rebuild

 

I kept having problems with my F100 carb flooding, etc. (I know different animal). I rebuilt it- kept flooding. I would take it apart, blow it out w/ carb cleaner, and OK for a while- then do it again. Finally I figured it had a needle that was not compatible with ethanal, cuz I had rebuilt it with a NOS kit. So I rebuilt it again using a ethanol compatible kit. That worked for a while then started flooding again. Repeatedly.... Finally I bought a really cheap China repop carb off ebay- started right up and has worked for a year or so now. My carb is a Carter YF which was really common and your Rochester carb maybe not available. I would see if you can by a repop and if not make sure it is rebuilt with a ethanol compatible kit- or maybe if can't get that use ethanol free gas only, if you can get it where you are.

 

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. Well, yesterday I pulled all the plugs to make sure the cylinders were aired out of any fuel fumes. I also sprayed the cylinders/walls with some fogging oil. I will change the oil/filter just to be safe and since it's also time for an oil change. One thing that I previously thought was clean....was not. I have a Dorman in line style fuel filter that I've used for years on other cars. It had lots of tiny rust particles in the filter. I also noticed the factory filter on the side of the fuel pump had tiny rust particles. I thought the tank and lines were completely clean but clearly they were not. I will replace the Dorman with a Wix 33003 filter as it looks like it will do a better job filtering and also clean out the factory fuel filter on the pump. I think I will also put a filter before the pump. Hopefully a fuel filter before and after the pump catches anything. I guess this could explain the carb issue. Will also pull the carb and clean it out. Hopefully that fixes everything.

 

Thanks but don't think that will fit the 1963 Oldsmobile 394. If I'm wrong, please let me know.

 

When fuel filters get filled with sediment, they need to be REPLACED. Fuel filters are NOT "self cleaning". I would think a good fuel filter before the fuel pump should be sufficient.

There is a difference between 1957-58 and the 1959-64 engines. The 1957-58 intake manifold will be to small. It won't work.

 

[QUOTE=OLDSter Ralph;1617023]When fuel filters get filled with sediment, they need to be REPLACED. Fuel filters are NOT "self cleaning". I would think a good fuel filter before the fuel pump should be sufficient.

I agree, a dirty fuel filter should be changed. I don't drive this car much so I did not notice it was dirty since the sediment was laying on the back of the filter out of sight. Not sure why you commented that "fuel filters are NOT self cleaning". I don't believe I gave any indication that I believed that.

 

Yep crud will get in the needle/seat and cause to not seal. I'll bet that will take care of it if not too much rust/crud.

 

 

Wow...that was a general statement that I've used Dorman in line fuel filters for years. Many filters on many cars. Obviously NOT the SAME fuel filter on all my cars. Wow...did not think I needed to explain that but I guess I did. Too be clear.....I have many cars and I have used many Dorman in line fuel filters on these many cars and I've never had a problem. The 1957 Oldsmobile had a NEW Dorman in line fuel filter on it....NOT a used one. I hope that helps clear it up.