Rochester carb rebuild - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bosco200 · 01-21-2011, 02:00 PM

Im going to rebuild my carb here in a little bit and I am wanting to get it cleaned up looking on the outside to so I was thinking about just taking a stiff wire wheel to it but I thought it might start to rust....will it?

slikside · 01-21-2011, 04:09 PM

Based on my own recent rebuild of same:

Unless you are planning on replating/zinc dipping or whatever, I would NOT wire wheel any of it. It will remove what protective coating you have left.

I dipped mine in Berrymans carb/parts cleaner for about an hour or so. Then i scrubbed it all with nylon cleaning brushes. On one tough spot I used a wire brush to remove some really caked on junk. About the time it came clean I realized I had totally removed the plating in that one spot. The nylon brushes worked well for the most part. If I had to do over again I would simply let the tough spots soak longer until a nylon brush will do the job.

Good luck, take it slow, and don't rush things. Let us know how it turns out.

slikside · 01-21-2011, 04:12 PM

More to your point though, the castings are aluminum, so while they won't rust, they will oxidize....if I remember correctly.

ARTISTIC · 01-21-2011, 04:29 PM

Ive done three / four and they will oxidize over time. There is a spray coating that matches the original gold finish on the QJets but I dont recall what it is.
You will want to clear the linkage - they will rust over within days of cleaning.

camaney · 01-21-2011, 05:40 PM

I use pine sol and a toot brush & works good
Posted via Mobile Device

Crabass · 02-04-2011, 07:47 PM

The QJ's came with a chromate finish, that's what gives it the greenish look. It comes off pretty easy, making the carb susceptible to the dreaded "white rust" that non-ferrous metals get. Go easy and try to save the chromate finish. And as Artistic said, pay attention to that linkage, it will rust. The spray paint (that's what it is) for carbs that he mentioned is available from Eastwood. I've tried it, not real crazy about the results.

**jaros44sr** · 02-04-2011, 10:07 PM

you can get it replated to original, but you have to totally disassemble it

custom1970 · 02-04-2011, 10:13 PM

after rebuilding mine several times the anodizing was shot,sent it off to a carb shop i found online. came back looking great, cost about $200.00

01-21-2011, 02:00 PM	#1
bosco200 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ste. Genevieve, MO Posts: 526	Rochester carb rebuild Im going to rebuild my carb here in a little bit and I am wanting to get it cleaned up looking on the outside to so I was thinking about just taking a stiff wire wheel to it but I thought it might start to rust....will it?

01-21-2011, 04:09 PM	#2
slikside Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego Co. Posts: 1,172	Re: Rochester carb rebuild Based on my own recent rebuild of same: Unless you are planning on replating/zinc dipping or whatever, I would NOT wire wheel any of it. It will remove what protective coating you have left. I dipped mine in Berrymans carb/parts cleaner for about an hour or so. Then i scrubbed it all with nylon cleaning brushes. On one tough spot I used a wire brush to remove some really caked on junk. About the time it came clean I realized I had totally removed the plating in that one spot. The nylon brushes worked well for the most part. If I had to do over again I would simply let the tough spots soak longer until a nylon brush will do the job. Good luck, take it slow, and don't rush things. Let us know how it turns out.

01-21-2011, 04:12 PM	#3
slikside Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego Co. Posts: 1,172	Re: Rochester carb rebuild More to your point though, the castings are aluminum, so while they won't rust, they will oxidize....if I remember correctly.

01-21-2011, 04:29 PM	#4
ARTISTIC Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Yukon Territories Posts: 58	Re: Rochester carb rebuild Ive done three / four and they will oxidize over time. There is a spray coating that matches the original gold finish on the QJets but I dont recall what it is. You will want to clear the linkage - they will rust over within days of cleaning.

01-21-2011, 05:40 PM	#5
camaney Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: sacramento california Posts: 204	Re: Rochester carb rebuild I use pine sol and a toot brush & works good Posted via Mobile Device

02-04-2011, 07:47 PM	#6
Crabass Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia's Eastern Shore Posts: 91	Re: Rochester carb rebuild The QJ's came with a chromate finish, that's what gives it the greenish look. It comes off pretty easy, making the carb susceptible to the dreaded "white rust" that non-ferrous metals get. Go easy and try to save the chromate finish. And as Artistic said, pay attention to that linkage, it will rust. The spray paint (that's what it is) for carbs that he mentioned is available from Eastwood. I've tried it, not real crazy about the results.

02-04-2011, 10:07 PM	#7
jaros44sr Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,636	Re: Rochester carb rebuild you can get it replated to original, but you have to totally disassemble it __________________ Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim

02-04-2011, 10:13 PM	#8
custom1970 Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 467	Re: Rochester carb rebuild after rebuilding mine several times the anodizing was shot,sent it off to a carb shop i found online. came back looking great, cost about $200.00



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