[SORTIE]

Assuming that my engine's internal components haven't been compromised by dissolved resin, Quailoh suggested that I simply buy a rebuilt carb on the internet (rather than paying my mechanic to rebuild it). Wouldn't it be prudent to buy another fuel pump at the same time?

if so, what internet sources do you guys use to find good value on rebuilt components?

I'm trying to avoid having my mechanic bill me $600 for a re-built Rochester q-jet...I've seen them as cheap as $228 (with core exchange)

This post edited by SORTIE 12:59 PM 07/02/2008

 

[shebeen]

You can buy rebuilt carbs right at an auto parts store....just bring the core in and swap.

 

[SORTIE]

shebeen wrote:

You can buy rebuilt carbs right at an auto parts store....just bring the core in and swap.
stupid question, but is there NO difference between the construction of an automotive vs. marine carb?

 

[MakoMike]

SORTIE wrote:
shebeen wrote:

You can buy rebuilt carbs right at an auto parts store....just bring the core in and swap.
stupid question, but is there NO difference between the construction of an automotive vs. marine carb?


Just the flame arrestor on top.

 

[shebeen]

Right, you need the USCG stamped flame arrestor/air filter which you probably already have.

There's a lot of discussion whether there's a difference or not, 'marine' have j-ports etc, etc.... so since I'm no expert and to some this is a safety issue I WON'T tell you it's OK to interchange.

All I know is over the years I've probably needed to replace 5-6 carbs and they've all come re-built from auto parts stores.

 

[SORTIE]

I would think that marine carbs are assembled with parts that resist the corrosive salt air, no?

 

[ReelTime]

Low Carbs

I use the Edebrock 1409 Marine specific carburetor.
There are supposed to be more corrosion resistant parts and a vacuum nipple that gets connected to the similar type nipple on the fuel pump in case the fuel pump diaphragm starts to leak.

I don't know about the Q-jet and Holley carbs. A mechanic at my yard was telling me they are set to different barometric pressures... I am not sure what he means by this.

Good Luck!
vsk

 

[Fishbust]

marine carbs.........there is a such thing.

SORTIE wrote:
shebeen wrote:

You can buy rebuilt carbs right at an auto parts store....just bring the core in and swap.
stupid question, but is there NO difference between the construction of an automotive vs. marine carb?

2 things, besides the flame arrester.

When new, the throats have a coating that prevent corrosion. The first time someone who does not know this goes and sprays carb cleaner down the throat, it strips the coating away. The coating has a green tint to it.

There is also a tube near the top of the throat that accepts a semi-transparent tube coming from the fuel pump. Yes the fuel pumps are different, having a tube that dumps into the carb in the event of a diaphram failure.

These things have been out since the 80's. Yes many boats in the 70's out there with none of these safety features in place and some people do away with these features, falsely claiming there is no difference between marine and cars. There ARE differences and they are there for our SAFETY, not just to empty our wallets.

This post edited by Fishbust 06:30 PM 07/01/2008

 

[oldmud]

Skip,

check this out. and as you can see there is not much difference in a re built 18-7615 Quadrajunk @ $395 and a new 1409 Edelbrock @ $449. Far superior IMO.

http://marineengineparts.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page77.html

Don

 

[SORTIE]

very interesting information, gents

never knew that the quadrajets had a poor reputation...I paid Beacon Marine $450 for the q-jet they installed two years ago.

I was hoping to avoid needing to spend $400s for a replacement part

what are the pros & cons of having a mechanic rebuild your carb for about $200 (rebuild kit & gasket $40, labor $150)?

 

[Fishbust]

pros and cons....

SORTIE wrote:
very interesting information, gents

never knew that the quadrajets had a poor reputation...I paid Beacon Marine $450 for the q-jet they installed two years ago.

I was hoping to avoid needing to spend $400s for a replacement part

what are the pros & cons of having a mechanic rebuild your carb for about $200 (rebuild kit & gasket $40, labor $150)?

The pro's are you don't have to do anything.

The con's are 150 bucks and if he screws it up from rushing and being busy this time of year, you will have to do it yourself anyway.

Carb rebuilding is just cleaning and replacing a few parts. Better to save the labor cash for things you cannot do. Unless you just do not feel like doing it.

 

[Flukinicehole]

Auto and marine carbs are different. Besides what has been told the vents are also different DO NOT USE AN AUTOMOTIVE CARB. I would also go with the edelbrock they are very simple and great performance. Sortie you will be vary happy with one

.

 

[654711]

Marine vs auto

HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!
1)Port to accept leaking fuel from fuel pump,prevents fire/exposion due to leaking pump by feeding back into carb throat/engine.
2)Different float/jetting.
3)Float bowl vent returns to throat of carb preventing fire due to gas overflow onto hot engine.
4)Corrosion protection.
By using a auto carb on a marine engine you are risking fire, injury, death. In addition, if you are insured and a claim is made,if you are still alive, they will reject it due to use of non-marine carb.
Why risk the above, spend the few extra bucks and buy marine.
Lighthouse Marine Supply has a great selection in stock.I have bought many.
Stick with your stock carb, q-jets are very reliable and should last a long time. In addition, the primary barrells are small increasing economy at crise. Then you have huge secondaries when you need them, of course the fuel is guzzled at that point.
Edelbrock is ok but may require modifications to your linkage,clearance problems with intake manifold. They are finicky to tune IMHO.
If you stick to your stock q-jet, you can install and go in under a half hour.
Good luck.

This post edited by bigtimer 04:28 PM 07/03/2008

 

[LouJC]

There is a big difference between an automotive and marine carb, I would not take the chance of running the auto carb on a boat. I had problems with my old 88 4.3 Cobra when I first got it. I took it to a good mechanic and he rebuilt the Q-Jet for about 200 or so, that was 4 years ago and it stil runs great. I see no reason to change from the Q-Jet unless the throttle shafts are worn out causing a vaccum leak. My 20 year old 4.3 starts right up, idles well at 550 which helps with getting the Cobra into and out of gear easily. I think the Q-jet is more complex to set up than some of the others, and there are not that many mechanics that learned on them still around, keep in mind that the Q-Jet came out in 1965 and was used on cars till about 1985 or so.

 

[SORTIE]

LouJC, my q-jet is only a couple of years old

 

[SORTIE]

update

John Palermo, my new mechanic, tells me that the build up of resin/varnish on the intake manifold isn't that bad

apparently it can appear as dark and shiny as a piano case

he recommends running the boat on an external tank until I can replace the original fiberglass tanks.

here's the current issue: he wants me to put a new carb on the boat. when I told him that my q-jet was only two years old, he stated that he doesn't rebuild carburetors. instead, he buys directly from Mercruiser. a re-man carb is $600 and a new one is $1,000.

when I raised the issue of internet carb deals running from $250-350, he told me it was a big risk to order from these outfits (risk of wasting time as the carb they ship doesn't bolt right on)

he told me he has a new carb in his shop that he ordered for a boat, just to find out that replacing the carb didn't solve the problem.

thoughts, suggestions? I would be willing to pull the carb off and ship it to a shop to make sure that what I got was an exact replacement, if it would save me $500

This post edited by SORTIE 01:14 PM 07/09/2008

 

[ReelTime]

Vic Edelbrock 1409

1409
www.summitracing.com has the Edelbrock 1409 Marine Carb for $335.00 new plus shipping.
The instructions and set up manuals are in pdf on line in the site so you can read up on it and see if it appeals. I have them on 302 Fords. I think they will be OK for up to a 350 cubic inch motor.

If you are still unsure about the Q-Jet or want to try something else, I think this is the way to go.

vsk

This post edited by canyonfvr 08:24 PM 07/10/2008

 

[SORTIE]

I've gotten conflicting advice on the q-jet, ReelTime. I don't want to turn the new mechanic off by ordering a part away from him.

My primary concern is fuel-efficiency, not performance. Sortie has a semi-displacement hull that doesn't like to get up on plane.

That Edelbrock is in the price range I consider acceptable...$1,000 for a q-jet is NOT.

 

[MakoMike]

Is he trying to sell you the new carb he has in his shop? If so how much? Might be worth spending a few extra bucks to get a new one and cement the relationship in the process.

 

[oldmud]

SORTIE wrote:
I've gotten conflicting advice on the q-jet, ReelTime. I don't want to turn the new mechanic off by ordering a part away from him.

My primary concern is fuel-efficiency, not performance. Sortie has a semi-displacement hull that doesn't like to get up on plane.

That Edelbrock is in the price range I consider acceptable...$1,000 for a q-jet is NOT.

so what's to figure ??? Mercruiser parts are all that way. Edelbrock is NOT an aftermarket part. They make some of the Best carbs. Also, Fuel-efficiency and Performance go hand in hand !!

Don