Hey gang, I bought another carb set to rob two bodies and some parts from. They were pretty grubby so I dunked them in carb cleaner overnight. They came out clean but with the finish dark and chalky. What is the best way to restore these to an original looking finish? I assume I can bring them back with some srub pads and some elbow grease but is there an easier way? Would a soda blaster work? TIA, Jim
i find carb cleaner not so good for long duration soaking of aluminum carb bodies. Pine oil and water works good for overnight and leaves the finish, rubber and brass parts intact. Before you use those carbs now you will want to inspect all the pressed- or glued-in drill plugs to make sure they have not come loose from the causticles bath. You can't really see the carbs much so it's a question of time--if you start polishing there is no end to it, and it really doesn't affect the performance as long as they don't leak. http://vfrworld.com/forums/1st-2nd-...r-circuit-identification-porn.html?highlight=
Yeah. I know better to use that stuff but I had a brain fart. I put a petcock in once and forgot about it for a week. Not good. Oh well. I will try to clean it as best I can. I just want to close up the pores so it won't attract dirt.
I'm not taking the witness stand here with my hand on the factory service manual to testify based upon my actual knowledge, but i believe that once the OEM finish on the carbs is destroyed, porosity of the metal will cause leakages, drippages, seepages, etc. Yeah, that stuff might be ruined.....but it sure is clean !
i don't have one of those furry little pigs, aka prairrie dogs, like squirrel does, but the carbs are probably okay as long as the drill plugs don't leak.
And that white powdery stuff in the metal and in the bowls. Yep you took the coating off. I think it's a phosphorous coating. Simple Green works good for cleaning carbs also. I think you can get a zinc/phosphorous type coating for carbs as a do it yourselfer. Check classical automotive industry. I've seen it used on Quadra Jets, 2bbl Rochester's (tri-power) and Carter 4bbl.
"used on Quadra Jets, 2bbl Rochester's (tri-power) and Carter 4bbl." Hmmm...Chevy's, Pontiacs and Mopars?
