Galled Pilot Jets - About to start drilling!

[kboehringer]

XS Folks,
I purchased a set of SG carbs from Evil-Bay for $50. I need a couple of tid-bits to repair/improve the carbs on all of my XS11's and this set will provide several items needed for that purpose.



Once received, the carbs didn't look too bad and I thought I MIGHT be able to resurrect them as a complete spare set or perhaps even replace the set on my bagger/Mayberry. The PO of Mayberry dealt with sticking floats by rapping on the sides of the aluminum carb bodies #1 & #4 with a hard object (hammer?) damaging those outer carbs STUPID!

It turns out that the needles and pilot jets of this set are very badly galled into the carb bodies. I had to drill and CUT the needles out of two of the carbs. Got 'em out! and there is NO damage to those bodies. Now, it's time to attack the pilot jets which are ALL GALLED INTO ALL THE CARBS.....

The needles were a bit more accessible so I was able to use a Dremel to "Cut" the remainder of the brass needles from the carb threading without causing ANY damage to the body. The pilot jets are not that accessible.

I don't believe any quantity of lube or carb cleaner is going to loosen these pilot jets they're cold welded in there. They've been soaking with a superior lube (from both sides) for a couple days. But MAYBE someone has a better idea than drilling these and trying to pull them with an easy out?

IDEAS?? Don't even waste the time? Toss 'em in the trash?

Kurt

[aquamantx]

You are probably have way more knowledge than I do but the only way I got the pilots out of my set was several days of heating adding penitrating oil then drilling in for a small easy out. Heated before I used the easy out.

[red bandit]

DO NOT DRILL THEM OUT! Very high chance of ruining the bodies. MHO. Run hot water over them, that will soften the gunk, then use a # 1 tapered twist easy out. It will fit right in the pilot jet, no need to drill. They will come right out.

[kboehringer]

Got 'em OUT! Hot Water & New Extractor did the trick!

DO NOT DRILL THEM OUT! Very high chance of ruining the bodies. MHO. Run hot water over them, that will soften the gunk, then use a # 1 tapered twist easy out. It will fit right in the pilot jet, no need to drill. They will come right out.

Red Bandit,
Seems that hot water trick was the answer!! I ran over to the hardware store and got a couple new extractors as mine were kinda worn... Ran hot water over the jets for about 15 minutes.... Came out with relative ease.



I now have a decent set of spare carbs that (with significant further cleaning) should be a nice option once they all get a rebuild kit!

Thanks.... That boiling hot water apparently did the trick that lube and cleaner couldn't do....

KURT

P.S. Please, don't anyone tell Nancy I had carbs in the sink!

[Prothec]

DO NOT DRILL THEM OUT! Very high chance of ruining the bodies. MHO. Run hot water over them, that will soften the gunk, then use a # 1 tapered twist easy out. It will fit right in the pilot jet, no need to drill. They will come right out.

What's the danger of drilling? I would think anytime drilling into any of these threaded soft metals, as long as you use a left-handed bit and drill in reverse it should be relatively safe. With that said, I understand there's no need to drill if you can get an easy out on it without drilling.

Anyone interested in left-handed bits: http://www.harborfreight.com/left-ha...-pc-61686.html

Great idea with the hot water!

[kboehringer]

Prothec,
At work, my technicians (industrial maintenance) use high quality reverse drill bits as the first means of removing broken bolts, studs, etc. for all our production equipment. It is a rare event to resort to easy outs or straight fluted extractors as the reverse bits are normally extremely successful.

I don't want to start a "Tool War" here but I would not use any Harbor Freight tools, especially drill bits, on anything of value. A broken drill bit or broken easy out is a much bigger problem than the original stuck item. IMPO you get what you pay for at Harbor Freight, cheap Chinese made junk.

Anyone interested in left-handed bits:
https://www.mcmaster.com/#left-hand-drill-bits/=10jb8jc

Respectfully,
Kurt

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Out!

Glad you got them out! Great tip from Red. Hot water can dissolve things oil cant. A good trick to do before starting to rebuild carb is after taking apart the big parts put them in a pot of boiling water for 20 min. then start trying to remove the jets and such while still hot, most will come right out.