My sons 1979 Berlinetta with the 350/gradrajet is having a problem with the choke. The carb appears to be hooked up correctly, but I have a question. The hard steel lines that go into the manifold are loose in their bores. One end is connected to the choke housing and the other is connected to the back of the carb at the top at a vacuum port? If it's connected to a vacuum port wouldn't the steel lines not being hard connected cause a major vacuum leak. Or is the back connection just to allow clean air into the line and the back part of the choke housing is connected to vacuum?

Can I just silver solder these connections back on to make it work once again? I know most don't like Rochester but if adjusted and build right they make an excellent carb.

 

There is a vacuum nipple on the back of the choke assembly that fits into the carb. And the vacuum pulls manifold heat through the steel tube to heat up the choke mechanism. If that tube connection is loose, or if the choke cup is missing the gasket, you have a vacuum leak. If silver soldering the connection is the only way to make the tube fit tight, then go ahead.