Carburetor rebuild tips?

[Eman]

Before I make my first attempt at rebuilding the carburetor, does anyone have any tips on what or what not to do?



1951 Commander Starlight Coupe (aka "Stella")

https://www.bulletshots.net

[Roscomacaw]

Did you get a proper kit?[:I] Study the illustrations in the kit and familiarize yourself with the parts and gaskets the kit contains.
Clean the carb off before disassembly, using some spray-can carb cleaner. Then disassemble the carb, paying close attention to what goes where as yo do so. Simple things like different lenght screws can give you grief if you don't recall which went where.
A bucket of carb soak cleaner would be nice but it's kind of extreme if you're only gonna redo one carb. I'd say, it's a judgement call once you get the unit apart as to how much you have to worry about cleansing it's innards.[}]
I've gotten by with no more than the oforementioned can of spray carb cleaner. Helps if you get a brand that supplies a little nozzle so you can spray into passages to blow out crap.
In putting it back together, follow the instructions for setting up float level and whatever else there is to adjust on a WCD (it's been a long time since I played with a WCD).
The accelerator pump's leather bellows should be oiled a bit (doesn't really matter what sort of oil) and I like to ruffle it out a wee bit so that it fits snugly into it's bore when you assemble it.
Be sure to add an in-line fuel filter before you start the car with this freshly rebuilt carb. No sense pumping any crap in the fuel system into that nice, clean unit![:0]

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[63Avanti]

[rockne10]

Work on a clean surface where little tiny steel balls wont roll away and disappear. It may help to lay it out on a large cotton cloth.

[Eman]

Is there any way to get this piece out? I've tried turning it, pulling it, but nothing works.

http://www.bulletshots.net/myStude/carbDisassembly1/images/IMG_0229.jpg

Also, I don't see this gasket from the thermostat housing (bottom right of image) mentioned in my shop manual. It's not in my rebuild kit either. Is it really necessary? LOL

http://www.bulletshots.net/myStude/carbDisassembly1/images/IMG_0234.jpg

1951 Commander Starlight Coupe (aka "Stella")

https://www.bulletshots.net

[TTodd]

A large cokie pan is great for dissembly it will keep small parts at bay and take care of any dirt and gas left in the carb. I've also used plastic magnets like you buy in hobby shops to hold small parts.

Tony

61 Lark
61 Lark Cruser VIII

[gordr]

Eman, I looked at your pics. That piece you speak of is the plunger that operates the power valve (also known as the economizer valve). It has a vacuum piston inside the top cover of the carb that, under normal operating conditions, keeps that plunger retracted against the spring tension. Under low vacuum conditions, like when you have your foot in it, the spring overcomes the lower engine vacuum, and the plunger opens the valve and allows more fuel to flow. Notice that the retaining washer is staked into the top cover of the carb. I've always been able to remove the plunger by simply compressing the spring, and then suddenly releasing the plunger, allowing it to snap against the back side of the washer. Repeat a few times and it will pop out. Clean the piston and it's bore, and re-stake the washer with a hammer and tiny chisel or screwdriver.

I feel the gasket IS important. You can make one yourself by tracing around the perimeter of the choke thermostat on a piece of suitable gasket material. If it leaks air around the perimeter, it won't suck up as much hot air from the manifold heat source, and the choke will remain on longer than is necessary, wasting fuel, and possibly washing oil off the cylinder walls.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[Scott]

Don't do it on a table over grass. Somewhere in my old backyard is a nice spring from the carburetor for my 1947 Commander. Too bad they don't sprout new ones in the spring (pun intended).

[Roscomacaw]

Gord and I are gonna disagree here. If that little Economizer valve works freely with your finger, I'd leave it alone. If it sticky and the spring can't throw it back when you depress it, then, yeah, it has to be removed.[:I]

I DO agree with him that you ought to have a gasket for the choke housing. Easy as cuttin' out paper dollys![:0][:X]

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[60Lark]

I use the magnetic parts trays once the small parts are in it they will stay there even if you accidently turn it over, which is not unusual for me. The biggest problem (at least for me with my clumsey arthric fingers), is getting the small parts from the carb to the tray without dropping them.

Studebaker Fever
60 Lark
51 Champion
Phil

[stude freak]

Eman, i've found that those rubber magnet mats are a great help . if you do drop something it sticks where it can be seen. Cause if you drop anything in
my shop them parts gremlins snatch it up before it hits the floor, and then its gone forever . those are sneaky little devils.

[Roscomacaw]

Heh... Talk about parts Gremlins![}]

I was discing the back property this morning and turned up a 4-bbl manifold![:0] Imagine some archeologist exploring this place in future eons![)]

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[stude freak]

Hmmm , interesting Mr Biig planting 4 bbl manifolds
hope you have a good crop. Never thought about that way of getting more usable manifolds . lol
im sorry i just couldnt help myself.

[Roscomacaw]

That's OK! My signature line used to be "Studefarming in California" Now the prophecy's come full circle. If only I could harvest a full Studebaker![:0]

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[Eman]

My carburetor rebuild is going pretty good... Which probably means when I start to put it back together, something bad will happen! The only problem I've run into is not being able to pull the brass looking nozzles out of the 3rd lower housing. I didn't have the tool to unscrew them. So I'm just soaking the unit pretty good then spraying carb cleaner in them. Hope that works.[]



1951 Commander Starlight Coupe (aka "Stella")

https://www.bulletshots.net