Rochester 2bbl w/ heated base
 

I pulled the carb for some maintenance today and noticed the base gasket was getting pretty oxidized from the exhaust heat ports in the intake. I have read where guys tap and plug those two ports but I'm just not into pulling the manifold at this time. I was wondering if perhaps they made a base gasket that would block those holes or perhaps there was some other old school quick fix that you guys might know of to block those 2 holes. I saw some gaskests online that appeared to be designed for manifolds without the heated flange but they look to be more or less paper, while mine is more like an exhaust manifold gasket.

Re: Rochester 2bbl w/ heated base
 

The ones on 4bbl intakes had a thin sheetmetal piece sandwiched between two gaskets.
Likely not hard to make one for your 2bbl.
Sneak a cookie sheet outta the kitchen and cut one out!

I’ve also seen guys drive a lead ball into the holes.

Re: Rochester 2bbl w/ heated base
 

I was just eyeballing this piece of irony stainless right here

Re: Rochester 2bbl w/ heated base
 

That’ll work!
A little cuttin, jiggin, fillin and hole punching will do!

Re: Rochester 2bbl w/ heated base
 

For a daily driver, I would get a new gasket and leave as it. The heat there helps prevent carb icing in high humidity environments. Also helps with vaporizing the gas which can improve fuel economy a bit.

Make sure your exhaust riser valve isn't stuck.

Re: Rochester 2bbl w/ heated base
 

Sounds like the easiest plan. Especially since the exhaust riser is deleted.
Thanks guys

Re: Rochester 2bbl w/ heated base
 

Now that you won’t use that chunk of metal you could use it to make a base plate for a phony tripower set up.
Normal centre carb with two fake end carbs. Made to look like the real thing but function as a 2bbl.
Linkage, air cleaner, fuel lines all look normal until you look real close.
The one we built fooled a lot of people.