I just bought a "64" riviera with a 425. It ran rough, and took forever to warm up, I sprayed carb cleaner around the carb and base and it immediately smoothed out and idled up. After consulting with a few friends it was agreed a rebuilt carb was in order. When I took the carb off there was no gasket just a stainless steel looking piece. My question is what's this for and don't I need a gasket. The carb is getting a rebuild, but I could use and answer before I put it back on. Thank you in advance. Gary
Welcome aboard! The stainless "gasket" is actually a heat shield that protects the underside of the carb flange from hot exhaust gases. You heard it right, the exhaust crossover under the carburetor actually allows exhaust gas to flow from each side of the primary throttle blades to warm things up quickly in cold startup situations. Without the heat shield, the exhaust gases corrode the underside of the carburetor's baseplate. What you seem to be missing is the composition gasket between the heat shield and the manifold which actually does the sealing. Maybe someone here can steer you in the right direction for a replacement part. Devon
I have the heat shield & the PROPER base gasket in stock. Make sure the replacement gasket in the rebuild kit covers those little holes on the each side. In reality we really don't need those holes any longer as we do not drive our cars in the cold, rain, snow, etc. where the instant heat under the carb. is nec. I usually block them off with a plug. Also, the heat riser can be wired open or the flapper valve removed completely. Tom T.
