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System > Carburetors > Overhaul > Rochester Carburetors
Rochester Carburetors
Efficient carburetion depends greatly on careful cleaning and inspection during
overhaul, since dirt, gum, water, or varnish in or on the carburetor parts are often
responsible for poor performance.
Overhaul your carburetor in a clean, dust free area. Carefully disassemble the carburetor,
referring often to the exploded views and directions packaged with the rebuilding kit.
Keep all similar and look-alike parts segregated during disassembly and cleaning to
avoid accidental interchange during assembly. Make a note of all jet sizes.
When the carburetor is disassemble, wash all parts (except diaphragms, electric choke
units, pump plunger, and any other plastic, leather, fiber, or rubber parts) in clean
carburetor solvent. Do not leave parts in the solvent any longer than is necessary to
sufficiently loosen the deposits. Excessive cleaning may remove the special finish from
the float bowl and choke valve bodies, leaving these parts unfit for service. Rinse all
parts in clean solvent, and blow them dry with compressed air or allow them to air dry.
Wipe clean all cork, plastic, leather, and fiber parts with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Blow out all passages and jets with compressed air and be sure that there are no
restrictions or blockages. Never use wire or similar tools to clean jets, fuel passages, or
air bleeds. Clean all jets and valves separately to avoid accidental interchange.
Check all parts for wear or damage. If wear or damage is found, replace the defective
parts. Especially check the following:
1. Check the float needle and seat for wear. If wear is found, replace the
complete assembly.
2. Check the float hinge pin for wear and the float(s) for dents or distortion.
Replace the float if fuel has leaked into it.
3. Check the throttle and choke shaft bores for wear or an out-of-round
condition. Damage or wear to the throttle arm, shaft, or shaft bore will
often require replacement of the throttle body. These parts require a close
tolerance of it; wear may allow air leakage, which could affect starting and
idling.
Throttle shafts and bushings are not included in overhaul kits. They can be
purchased separately.
4. Inspect the idle mixture adjusting needles for burrs or grooves. Any such
condition requires replacement of the needle, since you will not be able to
obtain a satisfactory idle.
5. Test the accelerator pump check valves. They should pass air one way but
not the other. Test for proper seating by blowing and sucking on the valve.
Replace the valve as necessary. If the valve is satisfactory, wash the valve
again to remove moisture.
6. Check the bowl cover for warped surfaces with a straightedge.
7. Closely inspect the valves and seats for wear and damage, replacing as
necessary.
 8. After the carburetor is assembled, check the choke valve for freedom of
operation.
Carburetor overhaul kits are recommended for each overhaul. These kits contain all
gaskets and new parts to replace those which deteriorate most rapidly. Failure to replace
all parts supplies with the kit (especially gaskets) can result in poor performance later.
Some carburetor manufacturers supply overhaul kits of three basic types: minor repair;
major repair; and gasket kits.
After cleaning and checking all components, reassemble the carburetor, using new parts
and referring to the exploded view. When reassembling, make sure that all screws and
jets are tight in their seats, but do not overtighten as the tips will be distorted. Tighten all
screws gradually, in rotation. Do not tighten needle valves into their seats; uneven jetting
will result. Always use new gaskets. Be sure to adjust the float level when reassembling.

Model E4ME carburetor

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Model E4ME carburetor parts identification
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Model M4MC/M4ME carburetor

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Model M4MC/M4ME carburetor parts
identification
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Model M4MEF carburetor

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 Model M4MEF carburetor parts identification
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PATH: Fuel System > Carbureted Fuel
System > Carburetors > Removal & Print
Installation > Model E4 Series Carburetors
Model E4 Series Carburetors
WARNING

Before removing the carburetor allow the engine to cool completely to prevent ignition
and possible fire from hot engine components such as the exhaust manifold.
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the air cleaner and its gasket.
3. Disconnect the fuel and vacuum lines from the carburetor.
WARNING

Keep a rag handy to soak up any gasoline that might spill on any other components.
Immediately dispose of the rag in a container approved for flammable or combustible
refuse.
4. Disconnect the electrical connectors for the choke and idle solenoid.
5. Disconnect the throttle linkage. Also disconnect the cruise control and
transmission linkage, if equipped.
6. Remove the carburetor attaching bolts, gasket or insulator, and remove the
carburetor.
To install:
7. Install new heat shield and insulator gaskets to the intake manifold.
8. Install the carburetor with the float bowl filled with gasoline to ease
starting the engine later. Tighten short bolts to 11 ft. lbs. (15 Nm) and long
bolts to 7 ft. lbs. (9 Nm).
9. Reconnect the throttle linkage. Also reconnect the cruise and transmission
linkage if so equipped.
10. Reconnect the electrical connectors for the choke and idle solenoid.
11. Reconnect the fuel and vacuum lines from the carburetor.
12. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
13. Check for fuel leaks by cranking the engine a little but not starting it. Be
sure to check not only at the carburetor fuel line fitting but also at the fuel
pump.
14. Install the air cleaner and its gasket.

With the bolts removed carefully lift the

carburetor from the intake manifold
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 Remove the gasket from the intake manifold
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If the carburetor is to be removed for any length

of time, use a rag or some paper towels to cover
the intake manifold opening
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System > Carburetors > Removal &
 Installation > Model M4 Series Carburetors
Model M4 Series Carburetors
WARNING

Before removing the carburetor allow the engine to cool completely to prevent ignition
and possible fire from hot engine components such as the exhaust manifold.
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the air cleaner and its gasket.
3. Disconnect the fuel and vacuum lines from the carburetor.
WARNING

Keep a rag handy to soak up any gasoline that might spill on any other components.
Immediately dispose of the rag in a container approved for flammable or combustible
refuse.
4. Disconnect the electrical connectors for the choke and idle solenoid.
5. Disconnect the throttle linkage. Also disconnect the cruise control and
transmission linkage, if equipped.
6. Remove the carburetor attaching nuts and/or bolts, gasket or insulator, and
remove the carburetor.
To install:
7. Install new heat shield and insulator gaskets to the intake manifold.
8. Install the carburetor with the float bowl filled with gasoline to ease
starting the engine later. Tighten in a criss-cross pattern to 144 inch lbs. (16
Nm).
9. Reconnect the throttle linkage. Also reconnect the cruise and transmission
linkage, if so equipped.
10. Reconnect the electrical connectors for the choke and idle solenoid.
11. Reconnect the fuel and vacuum lines from the carburetor.
12. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
13. Check for fuel leaks by cranking the engine a little but not starting it. Be
sure to check not only at the carburetor fuel line fitting but also at the fuel
pump.
14. Install the air cleaner and its gasket.
Loosen the carburetor retaining bolts either using
a ratchet or a wrench
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At one end of most carburetors are 2 long

retaining bolts
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 Shorter carburetor retaining bolts may be found at
the base flange
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System > Carburetors > Rochester E4me & Print
E4mc Quadrajet
Rochester E4me & E4mc Quadrajet
These 4-bbl carburetors feature an electrically operated mixture control solenoid, and are
designed as part of the GM Computer Command Control (C3) system. As with the E2SE
2-bbl, the electric mixture control solenoid is mounted in the float bowl, and is used to
control the air/fuel mixture in the primary bores of the carburetor. The plunger in the
solenoid is controlled, or pulsed, by electrical signals received from the Electronic
Control Module (ECM).
An Idle Speed Control (ISC) assembly, monitored by the ECM, controls engine idle
speed. The curb (base) idle is programmed into the ECM and is not adjustable. When the
throttle lever is resting against the ISC plunger, the ISC acts as a dashpot on throttle
closing. An Idle Speed Solenoid or Idle Load Compensator is used on some models to
position the primary throttle valve, providing engine idle speed requirements.
On E4MC models, an Idle Load Compensator (ILC) mounted on the float bowl is used
to control curb idle speeds. The ILC used manifold vacuum to sense changes in engine
load (the A/C compressor clutch engaged, for example) and compensates by adjusting
throttle angle for the curb idle speed. The ILC uses a spring loaded vacuum-sensitive
diaphragm whose plunger either extends (vacuum decrease) or retracts (vacuum
increase) to adjust throttle angle for curb idle speeds. Both the ISC and ILC are factory
adjusted.
PATH: Fuel System > Carbureted Fuel System > Carburetors > Rochester
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E4me & E4mc Quadrajet > Accelerator Pump
Accelerator Pump
The accelerator pump is not adjustable on computer controlled carburetors (E4MC and
E4ME).
1. Close the primary throttle valves by backing out the slow idle screw and
making sure that the fast idle cam follower is off the steps of the fast idle
cam.
2. Bend the secondary throttle closing tang away from the primary throttle
lever, if necessary, to insure that the primary throttle valves are fully closed.
3. With the pump in the appropriate hole in the pump lever, measure from the
top of the choke valve wall to the top of the pump stem.
4. To adjust, bend the pump lever.
5. After adjusting, readjust the secondary throttle tang and the slow idle
screw.

E4ME/MC Accelerator pump adjustment

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 E4ME/MC Fast idle adjustment
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E4ME/MC Front vacuum break adjustment

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 E4ME/MC Rear vacuum break adjustment
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PATH: Fuel System > Carbureted Fuel
System > Carburetors > Rochester E4me & Print
E4mc Quadrajet > Float Level
Float Level
With the air horn assembly removed, measure the distance from the air horn gasket
surface (gasket removed) to the top of the float at the toe (1/16 in. back from the toe).
Make sure the retaining pin is firmly held in place and that the tang of the float is
lightly held against the needle and seat assembly.
Remove the float and bend the float arm to adjust except on carburetors used with the
computer controlled systems (E4MC and E4ME). For those carburetors, if the float level
is too high, hold the retainer firmly in place and push down on the center of the float to
adjust. If the float level is too low on models with the computer controlled system, lift
out the metering rods. Remove the solenoid connector screw. Turn the lean mixture
solenoid screw in clockwise, counting and recording the exact number of turns until the
screw is lightly bottomed in the bowl. Then turn the screw out clockwise and remove.
Lift out the solenoid and connector. Remove the float and bend the arm up to adjust.
Install the parts, turning the mixture solenoid screw in until it is lightly bottomed, then
unscrewing it the exact number of turns counted earlier.
 E4ME/MC float level adjustment
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PATH: Fuel System > Carbureted Fuel System > Carburetors > Rochester
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M4me, E4me, E4mc 4-Bbl Carburetors
Rochester M4me, E4me, E4mc 4-Bbl Carburetors
For carburetor adjustments for the 1980-87 M4ME/M4MC Rochester carburetor, please
refer to the following illustrations.

M4ME and M4MC float adjustment, 1980 and

later
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M4ME and M4MC pump adjustment, 1980 and

later
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M4ME and M4MC air valve spring adjustment,

1980 and later
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M4ME and M4MC choke coil lever adjustment,
1980 and later
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M4ME and M4MC choke valve angle gauge

adjustment, 1980 and later
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M4ME and M4MC choke rod fast idle cam
adjustment, 1980 and later
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M4ME and M4MC vacuum break adjustment

information, 1980 and later
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M4ME and M4MC front vacuum break
adjustment, 1980 and later
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M4ME and M4MC rear vacuum break

adjustment, 1980 and later
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M4ME and M4MC air valve rod adjustment
(front), 1980 and later
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M4ME and M4MC air valve rod adjustment

(rear), 1980 and later
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 M4ME and M4MC unloader adjustment, 1980
and later
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 Air Valve Rod Adjustment

 Choke Coil Lever Adjustment
 Electric Choke Setting
 Fast Idle Adjustment
 Float Level Adjustment
 Primary Side Vacuum Break Adjustment
 Pump Adjustment

PATH: Fuel System > Carbureted Fuel System > Carburetors > Rochester
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M4me, E4me, E4mc 4-Bbl Carburetors > Air Valve Rod Adjustment
Air Valve Rod Adjustment
Refer to the accompanying illustration for this procedure.
 E2SE 2-bbl. air valve rod adjustment
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E4me, E4mc 4-Bbl Carburetors > Choke
Coil Lever Adjustment
Choke Coil Lever Adjustment
1. Remove the three retaining screws and remove the choke cover and coil.
On models with a riveted choke cover, drill out the three rivets and remove
the cover and choke coil.
A choke cover retainer kit is required for reassembly.
2. Place the fast idle screw on the high step of the cam.
3. Close the choke by pushing in on the intermediate choke lever. On front
wheel drive models, the intermediate choke lever is behind the choke
vacuum diaphragm.
4. Insert a drill or gauge of the specified size into the hole in the choke
housing. The choke lever in the housing should be up against the side of the
gauge.
5. If the lever does not just touch the gauge, bend the intermediate choke rod
to adjust.
 E2SE 2-bbl. choke coil lever adjustment
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E4me, E4mc 4-Bbl Carburetors > Electric
Choke Setting
Electric Choke Setting
This procedure is only for those carburetors with choke covers retained by screws.
Riveted choke covers are preset and nonadjustable.
1. Loosen the three retaining screws.
2. Place the fast idle screw on the high step of the cam.
3. Rotate the choke cover to align the cover mark with the specified housing
mark.
 E2SE 2-bbl. choke unloader adjustment
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E4me, E4mc 4-Bbl Carburetors > Fast Idle
Adjustment
Fast Idle Adjustment
1. Set the ignition timing and curb idle speed, and disconnect and plug hoses
as directed on the emission control decal.
2. Place the fast idle screw on the highest step of the cam.
3. Start the engine and adjust the engine speed to specification with the fast
idle screw.
 E2SE 2-bbl. fast idle adjustment
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E4me, E4mc 4-Bbl Carburetors > Float
Level Adjustment
Float Level Adjustment
1. Remove the air horn from the throttle body.
2. Use your fingers to hold the retainer in place, and to push the float down
into light contact with the needle.
3. Measure the distance from the toe of the float (furthest from the hinge) to
the top of the carburetor (gasket removed).
4. To adjust, remove the float and gently bend the arm to specification. After
adjustment, check the float alignment in the chamber.
 E2SE 2-bbl. float adjustment
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E4me, E4mc 4-Bbl Carburetors > Primary
Side Vacuum Break Adjustment
Primary Side Vacuum Break Adjustment
Refer to the illustration for this procedure.

E2SE 2-bbl. primary vacuum break adjustment

 Click to Enlarge
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E4me, E4mc 4-Bbl Carburetors > Pump
Adjustment
Pump Adjustment
1. With the throttle closed and the fast idle screw off the steps of the fast idle
cam, measure the distance from the air horn casting to the top of the pump
stem.
2. To adjust, remove the retaining screw and washer and remove the pump
lever. Bend the end of the lever to correct the stem height. Do not twist the
lever or bend it sideways.
3. Install the lever, washer and screw and check the adjustment. When correct,
open and close the throttle a few times to check the linkage movement and
alignment.
No pump adjustment is required on 1981 and later models.

E2SE 2-bbl. pump adjustment

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