1983 OMC 229 Carburetor?

[slimmons1998]

Hey guys,
I just got home with my Glastron SX 190 that I bought and I started rebuilding the carb. The previous owner stated that the plugs were always fouling,it was hard to start and always smelled like it was flooding. Well after taking the carb apart I found that the idle adjustment needles are trashed! They are badly pitted and need to be replaced. I also found hairline cracks in the base. Those may not be an issue but I dont want to take any chances.

Before I go and buy a remanufactured one ( does anyone recommend a place that does not charge an arm and a leg ?) what would you recommend as a replacement/upgrade? can I use one off of a car or truck??

This is my first boat but I am learning.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1983 OMC 229 Carburetor?

1983 OMC 229 Carburetor?

Ayuh,... It'd be nice if you told Us just What Carb is on this barge....

 

[slimmons1998]

Re: 1983 OMC 229 Carburetor?

Sorry bud, its a 2BL Rodchester and has the number 17056108 on the side and is a manual choke.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 1983 OMC 229 Carburetor?

put a Quadrajet and 4 bbl intake on my 229. Amazing upgrade. That 2 bbl is really holding the 3.8 back.
I would recommend looking for an intake and going 4 BBL.

Funny how Mercruiser only sold the 229 with a 4 BBL (MR185V6), OMC sold it either way 170HP or 185HP.

seemed like more than a 15 HP gain on my boat.

I picked up the intake on eBay, and I bought 2 carbs a guy was selling from a 5.0 OMC. I rebuilt the carb. to 4.3 specs (because I can't find 3.8 4 BBL data)

all together I spent about $200. and I still have a spare carb.

but then I had to change props - I went up 2" in pitch from a 21P to a 23P

 

[slimmons1998]

Re: 1983 OMC 229 Carburetor?

Howard, I am lost when it comes to the conversion on this thing. The intake......will any 4.3 work or is there a certain one? And the 4BBL......same question. I have looked on ebay and there are many to choose from. Can you guide a new sailor in the right direction?? Thanks bud!!

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 1983 OMC 229 Carburetor?

12 bolt intake for 3.8 (229) or 4.3 (262) chevy. Sometime in the 90's they changed intakes (8 bolt) to mate to new vortec heads.
Some Astro / Safari Vans and full size pickups had a neat cast iron high rise one. If you have room under your engine cover it is the slickest one to snag from the wreckers. Trick is finding a 4.3 automotive that wasn't throttle body... I don't why some had carbs and some TBI.
All the 229s in cars had TBI or 2 BBL.

Mine came off a late 1980's Mercruiser 4.3... it had been hot tanked and painted...
There used to be carbs on eBay for lots of marine apps. haven't looked lately, but you could get a Qjet for a 4.3/5.0 OMC with either spring chole heater or electric choke. I would get the electric choke model. If you get a spring choke one, the intake will have to have the mounting boss for the heater spring. Most of the factory ones do have that , but verify.
Pretty sure Edelbrock have an alum intake for the 85/86 4.3, but not good for salt water marine use and you might be stuck with limited carb choices... like the edelbrock marine carb which might be fine. not familiar with it personally.
I like the factory Qjet. it's just something I'm familiar with

 

[slimmons1998]

Re: 1983 OMC 229 Carburetor?

http://www.i-5automotive.com/page4.html

will one of these work? and are the a good price?

 

[slimmons1998]

Re: 1983 OMC 229 Carburetor?

Howard,
I managed to score a 4.3L marine intake AND a 4bbl quadrajet still attached to the intake!! Any recommendations for rebuilding the carb?

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: 1983 OMC 229 Carburetor?

Edelbrock does have a manifold for these engines but the t-stat/water outlet is in a different location and it wont work with the OMC t-stat housing. 'nutcase