OMC 2.3 4 cyl 1987-90 with Rochester - NOT Holley???

[Vinkress]

New to boating, I have acquired my first and second boats recently. The first boat, OMC sterndrive had a car engine, formerly a Ford 2.3L 4 cyl turbo car's motor installed...I'm not running it...using the boat for parts. 2nd boat slightly newer vintage and believed mostly original OMC Cobra sterndrive, also 2.3L 4 cyl OMC motor. Interestingly, both had the same carb installed, a Rochester 2bbl. Most of the literature (parts guides) seem to indicate a Holley 2bbl is correct. Is there an interchange between Holley and Rochester 2bbl carbs? I pulled the carb off the parts boat and installed it in the newer boat after it failed to start at the ramp last Saturday. Fuel pump good, filter good, carb was not delivering fuel, so no start. The spare carb now lets me start the motor, but I need to get a new gasket at a minimum for the mounting, currently have a reused older one and want to replace it before trusting the boat in the water again. The first carb, when it was working, had great throttle response, nice idle, etc. Replacement carb, idles OK, but seems like it bogs or wants to stall if I throttle up too fast. I think this carb might need a rebuild.

The question, should I rebuild one of the Rochester carbs that I own, or purchase an already rebuilt Holley? What is the best course of action? Is it common to interchange Rochester when application calls for Holley? Was it common for a boat manufacturer (Sunbird in this instance on both boats) to have altered the package an substituted different carbs or am I looking at the work of a PO that is just confusing the heck out of me?

TIA!

vinkress

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: OMC 2.3 4 cyl 1987-90 with Rochester - NOT Holley???

Omc 2.3L motor came with a 2bbl Rochester. Of this I am sure. I even looked it up in my book, because I have been sure and wrong a time or two. I'd go with a rebuild on that one.