Rochester to Edelbrock OMC pre 91... Will it work?

[Lakes84]

Buying a new engine from an online vendor. Trust me, I have spent HOURS & HOURS canvasing this forum and many others with my laptop (much to my wife's chagrin) I've done my due diligence on who to purchase from, so hopefully it's less of a crapshoot than before I started lol.

My boat is a 1987 Sport Craft with an OMC packaged 4.3 with the Cobra outdrive. From what I have read, I think I want to keep with the mechanical fuel pump, buy a 4.3 that has been drilled for my fuel pump, move my power steering and starter to the new motor, go with the newer two piece manifold set and transfer pulley's and anything else over. My mechanic will do that.....anything else I should be aware of?

My main question is about the carburetors. I have a 2 barrel Rochester on the old engine now and am wanting to switch it to an Edelbrock. I was told that the Edelbrock would not work on a Pre 91 OMC because of the linkage, but will work with a Holly. I know the whole Holly vs. Edelbrock thing and can honestly say, I want the Edelbrock. Anyway, can I make it happen with the setup I will have? Any ideas? Thoughts? Thanks guys!

Joe

 

[jbetzelb]

Re: Rochester to Edelbrock OMC pre 91... Will it work?

All I know on this is when I was shoping for a replacement carb for my 89 4.3 my choices were a rochester or a holly if I wanted a direct fit. Maybe the linkage was the reason. I didn't go into details with the marine service shop. Holly was a bunch more money so I went with a rochester.

 

[Lakes84]

Re: Rochester to Edelbrock OMC pre 91... Will it work?

All I know on this is when I was shoping for a replacement carb for my 89 4.3 my choices were a rochester or a holly if I wanted a direct fit. Maybe the linkage was the reason. I didn't go into details with the marine service shop. Holly was a bunch more money so I went with a rochester.

Good to know, thanks. From what I gather, the Holly's are much more finicky than the Rochesters. I have a two barrel Rochester now and my research has told me its a smooth flowing carb with big passages, is simple and reliable. Whereas the Holly is for a clean environment because of all of the small passages. Mind you, I am no expert, just doing my due diligence.