idle jets screws

[mcronson]

Damn, I bought a set of carbs off of E bay because my 80 special had a seized idle screw and the carbs I got off of Ebay are for a 78,LO and BEHOLD the screws in 2 of the idle holes are stuck in the hole,can anyone tell me how to get them out or maybe what size hole these are?

I am guessing that they are tapered,So running a drill through them won't be any help.

I am really thinking I am cursed on this carb thing!

Any suggestions?

[sixtysix]

If you are trying to save the needle, I am not sure how to get it out. If you turn the screws out the tips will break off then you can push them back through with a thumb tack or one of those 90 degree picks. not sure of hole size. Read through the tips on carbs I remember a tip on getting these out somewhere.

[Underdog]

Just a sugestion. A fellow who does a lot of these told me to remove the diaphragms and soak the whole carb in carb cleaner for a couple of days before even attempting to remove the screws or pilots. The cleaner will attack the neoprene diaphragms. No personal experiance (yet) but sounds logical to me. good luck

[John]

What I did on my carbs that had broken pilot screw tips, was to use a 3/4 inch socket,. Place the carbs upside down in a vise, make sure not to marr them, or have a buddy hold them on the bench. Place the socket into the carb body so that it is laying on top of the screw tip. Use a stout screwdriver, and pry against the socket, forcing the screw tip out. If you don't feel comfortable prying against the carb body, then try tapping the socket with a small hammer. If you have compressed air, then you can blow them out of the pilot screw hole after that. If not, then use a small pick, or a push pin to pop it out of the bore. I also found brand new, OEM pilot screws at motorcyclecarbs.com. He specializes in old Japanese carbs.

[nashville_bill]

Be careful soaking the carbs in carb cleaner. The throttle shafts are mounted in rubber that will deteriorate if soaked in carb cleaner. After that, you will have vacuum leaks at the throttle shafts.

[mcronson]

Thanks for all of your suggestions,

It gives me miles of ideas,

Unfortunately the tips are broken in the 3 and 4 carb,


Again, thanks and I am hopefully on the road to happiness!