Carb Kit ...Marine vs Automotive????

[kfraser]

Can anyone tell me if there is a difference between the marine version of a Carb rebuild kit and the Automotive equivelent. I do understand the issue of "marine vs automotive" when it comes to safety issues and USCG approvals, but on this one were talking about a few rubber O rings and a couple of cork gaskets. Marine cost = $90.00 per the Mercruiser dealer I just called. Autozone cost = $14.00

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Carb Kit ...Marine vs Automotive????

Since you order a carb rebuild kit by the carb number, I am surprised Autozone had a kit for your specific carb. I am not saying they are different, just wondering how you ordered a kit for a marine carb at Autozone.

 

[kfraser]

Re: Carb Kit ...Marine vs Automotive????

It was a special order from Autozone. They said it would take a whole day to have it in stock. I had a friend cross reference the original part number to a "Sorenson" automotive equivelent. Per the Holley part number on this carb, it was used in a number of automotive applications. I still haven't ordered it, wanted to see if there were any major differences. If not, Autozone it is.

 

[ron7000]

Re: Carb Kit ...Marine vs Automotive????

the difference is $76 + tax

 

[kfraser]

Re: Carb Kit ...Marine vs Automotive????

Amen Ron7000! I've learned that since I purchased this project boat, if you use the words "marine' and "parts" in the same sentence you had better be prepared to pay about 700% more for the marine part. On some parts, I agree and go with the marine part, but some are the same thing with absolutly no modifications whatsoever.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Carb Kit ...Marine vs Automotive????

By the way, I found the same thing true for the Rochester Quadrajet. There are plenty of automotive applications for that carb and it is no problem to get a rebuild kit just by using the trem Quadrajet. But this is true where the carb is an auto carb adapted to be marine by adding the fuel pump vent/return line and redirecting the bowl over flow into the engine. For marine specific carbs like the MerCarb I dont know if it as easy top cross over. I am pretty sure there are no differences marine to auto on the internal parts like gaskets, needle valve etc so I think the main difference is just the $72+

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Carb Kit ...Marine vs Automotive????

Originally posted by kfraser:<br /> Marine cost = $90.00 per the Mercruiser dealer I just called. Autozone cost = $14.00

Far as I can tell its the carb design ("J" vents tube, backfire design)..buy the AZ kit and go to the marine dealer and compare, then ask why the diff if the same. And post your findings here. Carb kit costing 1/3 the carb cost is ridiculous

 

[kfraser]

Re: Carb Kit ...Marine vs Automotive????

I'm not sure my dealer would like to be put on the spot if there are no differences. They kinda like it when you buy things from them. I was thinking 1/3rd the price of a carb was a touch steep also, so I double checked on Mercury's website, it's #1396-4656 repair kit. When asked to select a local dealer it quoted a price of $101.00. They have just the gaskit kit (1396-4655) with no float valves and such for a mere $48.00

 

[KaGee]

Re: Carb Kit ...Marine vs Automotive????

I just ordered and got next day a carb kit from NAPA, $22.50. Rochester 2bbl. Took in the carb numbers, they looked it up in the book. Very simple, very easy. <br /><br />NAPA has a lot of marine parts.

 

[Peter J Fraser]

Re: Carb Kit ...Marine vs Automotive????

I just paid NZ$55.00 (US$45.00) for a kit for my Qjet complete with needle and seat and heaps of extra gaskets to suit other applications.<br />Shop around and compare the contents list if you can.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Carb Kit ...Marine vs Automotive????

Most of the time the accelerator pump is different in marine applications, compared to automotive. The needle and seats sometimes vary between the kits due to the differences in vibration and fuel pressures.<br /><br />Sometimes the auto gaskets do not have block off holes that marine gaskets use to keep fuel vapors from accumulating in the bilges.<br /><br />In the case of Holley carbs, the power valves have a different rating than the car versions do.

 

[kfraser]

Re: Carb Kit ...Marine vs Automotive????

Thanks Seahorse. I'm sure in some there are some differences. The boat I'm installing on is a project boat that has been sitting since 1991. The inside of the carb was VERY badly gummed up. I cleaned the carb and installed the kit last night. I installed the carb this morning, hit the key and it started right up. I was shocked. I had rebuilt the distributor and the carb, but I was expecting a full list of other things before it would run.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Carb Kit ...Marine vs Automotive????

kfraser...<br /><br />The kit I got from NAPA was exact as original. There were no differences in any of the gaskets or pump. Just got done adjusting the carb tonight. All is well!