Are cheap carburetors good?

[bizon99]

I have a GM 3.0L that has been sitting 2 years. I put new alcohol free gas in it and took it out on the water yesterday. Sometimes runs pretty well but other times stumbles. It seems like the carburetor is having issues.

On other engines, I've sometimes found rebuilding a carburetor is more work than it is worth because replacement aftermarket carburetors that perform well are inexpensive. Othertimes, I've had problems with aftermarket carburetors.

There are new carburetors available on ebay and Amazon starting at $100. There are one barrel and two barrel carburetors available.

Are there any aftermarket carburetors you have experience with you would or would not recommend?

 

[Lou C]

Anything that cheap that is “new” is knockoff junk. I might try one on a lawnmower if no OE was available but on a boat or vehicle never. A real new carb is in the range of $550 for a 2 bbl on up. It is definitely worth properly cleaning & rebuilding your OEM carb as long as the inside isn’t corroded. A 2bbl Rochester/Mercarb is easy to rebuild & so is a 2bbl Holley.

 

[racerone]

For marine applications it is foolish to try and save a few $$ on a carburetor.-----Any leaks to the bilge might mean you had a parachute on , instead of a lifejacket !!

 

[Scott06]

I have a GM 3.0L that has been sitting 2 years. I put new alcohol free gas in it and took it out on the water yesterday. Sometimes runs pretty well but other times stumbles. It seems like the carburetor is having issues.

On other engines, I've sometimes found rebuilding a carburetor is more work than it is worth because replacement aftermarket carburetors that perform well are inexpensive. Othertimes, I've had problems with aftermarket carburetors.

There are new carburetors available on ebay and Amazon starting at $100. There are one barrel and two barrel carburetors available.

Are there any aftermarket carburetors you have experience with you would or would not recommend?

The only items I think it makes sense to buy a new carb is like mowers and weed wackers etc.

Go to mikes carb parts and spend $50-60 on a quality rebuild kit. Especially if you can do the work yourself you will be money ahead. ....

 

[bizon99]

The only items I think it makes sense to buy a new carb is like mowers and weed wackers etc.

Go to mikes carb parts and spend $50-60 on a quality rebuild kit. Especially if you can do the work yourself you will be money ahead. ....

Is a 2001 MCM 181 a MerCarb or a 2 Jet?

 

[Scott06]

Is a 2001 MCM 181 a MerCarb or a 2 Jet?

Mercarb if it is original.

There is a common lineage from the old school Rochester 2 jet =>Mercarb=> TKS carbs.

The 2 jet unless really old will have an electric choke and two idle mixture screws on the base plate.

the mercarb which came out in the late 80's or 1990 ish has an electric choke and a single idle mixture screw. The one that came on my boat (2003 engine build) had a tamper plug on the mix screw your 2001 may or may not have it.

The later TKS has an enrichment valve and no choke. I believe has a single idle mix screw as well.

The last time I got a mercarb kit from Mikes I think it had both styles of accelerator pumps that were used on mercarbs so you dont have to open the carb before ordering the kit

 

[Scott Danforth]

Cheap not good, Good not cheap

Carb cleaner and gasket set is $50 and all you need

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

I had the same thoughts on buying a Chinese carb on Amazon But after some deciding I bought a Carb Kit. IMO Mike's Carburetor has the best Videos on how to disassemble and assemble a Merc Carburetor. I'd watch them a few times before you attempt it. It's not rocket science. My rebuild went rather easily as a first timer.

 

[Dubed]

I bought an inexpensive Amazon alternator kit for my 3.7. Had to greatly massage it to get it to fit and run true.
After 28 hours on the rebuilt motor the alternator self destructed. I just ordered a new kit from Breezeworks which is what I should have done to begin with.
Going this route doesnt save $$, it only costs more.
Lesson learned. I only buy Mercruiser parts if available and reputable aftermarket parts like Sierra if no other choice.

 

[RaceCarRich]

If you don’t want to rebuild yourself, there are American rebuilders online that can sell you a rebuilt OEM unit.