Does this carb stand a chance?

[e_sloan]

I visited one of my local scrapyards today and the owner had a suprise for me (I obviously show up there too much). A spare set of carbs for my 82 XJ550. He gave them to me for free but they look like they need a serious cleaning and probably some new parts.

What are your opinions?




They apparently were sitting for 15 years. Despite the surface rust the throttle and choke still moves and the inside of the carbs look pretty clean and shiny.

[ratbyk]

Resurrect Carburetors

The pistons up inside look clean. Should be free. I would not strip them off the rack though. Just float bowls and top bells/pistons/diaphragms.
From there you should be able to rejuvenate them. Your choice as to how far you want to go on polishing the outside corrosion for appearance sake.
If I needed a set of carbs I personally would tackle this example.
Ken/Sooke

[TheDjost]

Easy fix....

They may not even need any parts. I've seen worse on running engines. They probably just need the same thing that any carb that has sat for some time: a good cleaning. Then another.

If the diaphragms are OK, they probably won't cost much put back on the road.

For the exterior, I'd just hit it with massive amounts of WD-40 and a toothbrush. They may comeut pretty clean, apart from that one diaphragm cover that will need heavier polishing to get the rust off.

-Justin

[TheDjost]

BTW, that can of carb cleaner is not the best stuff for cleaning the insisde of carbs. That stuff is meant to be mixed in with gas, and is more of a preventative maintenance thing to do once in a while.

Get a couple of cans of the aerosol type carb cleaner. It's about 10 times more powerful and the spray can will get the cleaner in places that you won't be able to get to with that other stuff.

-Justin

[srq68]

If the pistons slide freely, everything else is just cleaning or maybe new jets. A good way to test the slides is to bring the end of a vaccuum cleaner to the engine side of the carbs and see if they slide up on their own.
The chrome covers can use a serious sire wheel cleaning and probably some paint since the chrome won't come back really well.
Replace those rusted screws with nice stainless allen screw, you're all set.

[e_sloan]

After soaking overnight in WD-40 I started disassembling this morning. ALL of the screws have seized. I was able to remove all but one for the floats and only half from the top. So am in search of a method of removing the seized, and now stripped, screws, I am thinking a reverse thread metal drill bit.

All the pistons but number 1 move freely, the #1 is seized at the moment.

It will definately need all new jets and pilot screws as they are all seized and are going to have to be drilled out.

[xssiveone]

Originally posted by e_sloan
So am in search of a method of removing the seized, and now stripped, screws, I am thinking a reverse thread metal drill bit.

You need an Impact Driver like this one. Absolutely invaluable in working on your m/c. The reverse drill might be necessary as a last resort, but most screws can be removed with the impact driver. If the phillips head is stripped out, you can cut a slot with a Dremel tool and then use a slotted bit.

[Ken Talbot]

Once you get the last screw out, you might consider replacing all the phillips heads with socket head screws - less chance of your allen wrench slipping. Also, put a wee dab of anti-seize compound on the threads.

[srq68]

an Impact Driver like this one

I second that! I was not aware of this tool until last week. I thoght impact driver were only the ones driven by air, this is one efficient tool, fairly cheap too!
I had to remove the side covers on a 1972 CT70, phillips screws used on them, impossible with a regular screwdriver, but this worked perfect.
Side note: wear a thick glove on the hand that hold the driver...

[xssiveone]

Re: an Impact Driver like this one

Originally posted by srq68
Side note: wear a thick glove on the hand that hold the driver...

That is a lesson that only needs teaching ONCE!!!

I learned about impact drivers about 30 years ago when I had my first off road bike. My toolbox has never been without one since. Lots of uses outside m/c's as well.

[e_sloan]

Well after two weeks of sitting in a vat of WD-40 I got all the major bolts out, with the help of a dremmel and a cutting disk. I have everything apart except for one major problem. The jets on #2 and #3 are seized and stripped. Being recessed I cant think of a way to get access to them to get them out.

All advice welcome.

[ratbyk]

Seized Jets

Are they in a position where you could get a "left" hand drill bit or an easy out down into? I'm not there to see exactly what the problem is. I can only surmise that if it is a jet than a screw driver should be able to access them. If you can get in with a a screw driver then you should be able to get in with a drill bit.
They do make "left" hand drill bits. It may take a few phone calls to find a supplier but they are out there.
I have had luck in the past getting seized components apart by using a left hand drill. As the drill starts to open up the hole it is creating heat, it is also trying to turn (in this case brass jets) the part in the direction that will unwind it. Many times part way into the hole I was drilling the bit suddenly "grabbed" the part I was drilling and it backed right out with the twist of the drill. Also as the hole opens up inside it reduces the pressure being exerted between the male and female threads which also reduces how tight/seized in the jet is.
If it does not turn out in the manner described, you then have a hole to place an easy out down into.
Take your time, be patient, you will win.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"

[e_sloan]

Despite lots of sweat and blood these old carbs have all came apart. Except for the pilot screws. They are obviously stripped, but they are also so damn seized that I cant get the washer and rubber ring out of the #1 and #4 which have the pilots out.

Any ideas, I would hate to have done all this work for nothing.

[Ken Talbot]

Ken (Ratbyk's) idea shold work. Or, you could try a fine diamond burr in your dremel to reach in there and cut a new slot in each screw. Then use a sharp straight screwdriver bit in an impact driver and they should back right out.

[ratbyk]

Seized pilots

Do you own an impact screw driver? Would it be possible to trim the flat blade bit from the impact screw driver down on a grinder so that it will just fit up into the recess and fit into the slots in the pilot jets? Make sure that when you trim the driver blade down you also touch up the end to fit securely into the pilot slots. Then support the carb body. Possibly a piece of pipe about the same size as the bore of the carb. Clamp the pipe in a vise and have a go. Aside from the hazardous job of drilling out the seized jets I cannot think of another way.
Lots of luck, keep us informed.
Ken/Sooke