As the title says, checking for oil pressure and that everything on that side of things is operating well, then we strip perhaps the worst set of carburettors I've seen. We then send them off for hydroblasting... Then a mysterious wooden crate arrives - will need to wait for the next chapter to see what's inside. Hope you enjoy!
As the title says, checking for oil pressure and that everything on that side of things is operating well, then we strip perhaps the worst set of carburettors I've seen. We then send them off for hydroblasting... Then a mysterious wooden crate arrives - will need to wait for the next chapter to see what's inside. Hope you enjoy!
On the subject of carburetors, having sat for decades with perished fuel in them, the methodology that I've employed over the years is a little different than what was displayed. Now, my preferred method is to let chemistry make the job much easier.
1. Remove the bowls and thoroughly submerge, soaking them in WD 40. (WD 40 not only loosens everything, it also rejuvenates gaskets and seals temporarily without damaging them.)
2. After the usually daylong soak, remove the needles valves, jets and emulsion tubes freeing the passages, working the freed floats and/or slides, needles and pins leaving the majority of the assembly intact. Use low-pressure air to force the lubricant through needle valve passages. Ensure that screw positions are noted for re-assembly.
3. Use a toothbrush, the softer the better, lightly scrubbing the floats, bowls and the internals of the carbs. Leave lubricant in place unless really varnished. If severely varnished rinse with the lubricant and repeat.
4. Re-assemble everything, minus the bowls, to prescribed positions taking care not to damage gaskets and delicate seats.
5. In a bucket with a lid, re-submerge everything in fresh alcohol-free premium gasoline.
6. Attach a variable speed sander, I use old bicycle innertubes, onto the outside of the bucket with the rubber pad contacting the bucket's lid, minus abrasive, and turn it on to the absolute lowest speed and leave it on for some time. (This acts quite well as an impromptu sonic cleaner.) Vary speed accordingly to suit your needs.
7. Take the whole assembly and bowl covers out of the gasoline soak, shake off excess, and blow low-pressure air over everything in order to dry the pieces. (This will usually dislodge more debris.) Rinse and repeat if necessary.
8. Re-assemble the bowl covers and install on the engine, ensuring that everything functions as it should.
9. Attempt to re-start the engine.
10. This whole process usually takes far less than two days. Other checks are done while waiting for the chemistry to work (Actual hands-on time is quite minimal due to allowing the solvents their time to work.)
This method may seem a little strange; however, to ascertain the condition of an engine quickly before necessitating a complete teardown; it works quite well. My experience has been that of 95% success: Your results may vary. Some carburetors are beyond the scope of this procedure. I don't do many restorations and the pieces that I do work on are for a quick flip and re-sale to somebody that will, or simply enjoy the vehicle as is until a full restoration is warranted. I also use this procedure on pieces that I eventually fully restore to quickly sort out what I've gotten into.
It is my hope that this is helpful to you and your subscribers. This has definitely helped save time and money over the years without damaging precious parts. Even when dealing with automotive carburetors once you look inside then soaking them in fuel will usually get an old heap quickly sorted and running again.
Thank you for the instructional video and allowing me to pass on some knowledge.