Hi, I've got a 1953 Olds with a 303 and was wondering what options I may have in terms of installing a newer carb. I have the original Rochester GM 4JET but it seems that the rebuild kit I bought was just really a "tune-up" kit, not a true rebuild kit. The reason I ask this question is because I took my carb apart and just aren't that happy with the condition of the screws, etc. i also have a stripped brass screw on one of the butterflies (or valve). Thanks in advance.. Numberz
Yes, I knew this...was just mentioning because of the condition of them. I remember purchasing a rebuild kit once...I think it was from Kanter's...had directions for each and every step...and more parts. This kit that I bought looks like a "tune-up" kit...yellow and blue with ads for Jiffy products...looks original. Problem is that I have a blue rubber washer that's ripped and don't have one in the kit that I purchased. It also doens't have directions except to adjust the floats...not good for me, lol.
I am pretty sure the Olds linkage is a push type, not pull. So if you go with a "normal" carb, you will need to fab stuff...and if you have the hydramatic, it gets even worse, due to the extra bellcrank. oh, and I have seen, and I think I still own, a super deluxe Holley 4 barrel kit that has throttle plate screws, and even new white throttle shaft bushings. The amount of parts in that kit would scare anyone off.
My concern is that the Rochester 4 JET is a bitch to set up after a rebuild...floats etc. I also heard that when taking sharp corners the floats hang up etc. Now you're telling me that I may have to settle for a rebuild? because of the transmission?
A couple recent threads about maybe 2 different hambers that were having problems making the newer carb linkage to work with the Hydramatic linkage. I guess it all depends on any given persons skills and being able to design something that works correctly. The dual bellcranks on Olds Hydros is beyond words; it's almost like the designers said "how complex can we make this, to do such a simple job"
Actually, they do come in the better kits. Just ask when you place the order. That way you are not surprised. Jon.
It isn't, and they don't. There is a factory patch to prevent stalling on very hard left corners due to fuel being sucked into a vacuum passage. Jon.
Thanks to everyone who replied...it helped me make a decision. I actually purchased a rebuilt carb from Harry Laborde in Wisconsin.
Oops... Turns out that the carb he sent me was the wrong one. Still looking for a carburetor for a 1953 olds part 7005600
I started one of those threads, but i found out what to do from a guy on the classic oldsmobile forums. The stock linkage will work if you make a mount for it that bolts to the back of the carb, in the same spot where your bellcrank is bolted on your factory carb. Very simple i used a piece of metal that i found at lowes that is bent at a 90 deg. angle and drilled the holes in it. The rest of the linkage is all adjustable and should be able to be adjusted to work. You may end up have to get a shorter or longer linkage rod that hooks to the carb linkage but the rest should not need to be modified. You will have to adjust the kickdown linkage for the transmission though.
Haha...I'm lost already. Carburetor modifications are not my thing. I'm going to keep trying to find the one that I need... TIA
The Jalopy Journal
