Cleaning Carburetor Bodies

[waf]

Hi

I have had my engine re built and the engine builders refurbished the carbs. However they were not keen to blast clean the bodies as they advised that it was almost impossible to get all the grit back out of the carburetor? The engine builders simply cleaned them in there parts washer.
Is there away to acid clean then or water balst clean them?

Thanks

George

 

[Michael Winstock]

I've always used the stuff they sell in aerosol cans for cleaning the inside of carburettors and an old toothbrush. Works for me!

 

[Neilsjuke]

Ultra sonic Bath work well engine rebuilders may do this for you or I have given them a light blast (glass bead)you do need to cover up the holes /vents with tank tape . try toothpaste and brush and clean off with brake cleaner and also bathroom mouse is also great on alloy.

 

[Mark Cramond]

Have you guys ever seen or heard of Soda Blasting? They use a food grade bicarbonate of soda as it is not as abrasive as sand or garnet yet still removes all paint etc and also disolves after it has been blasted out. You can completely blast a car without having to remove the wiring loom or rubber trimmings. The end result is amazing.

 

[waf]

Hi
Thanks for the replies- Mark I hadn't heard of soda blasting but did a few goggle searches. It says that you blast at a low pressure? I think I will buy some media and try it out in my blasting cabinet, will need to make sure I clean it out properly.

Cheers

George

 

[Matthew]

Mark, did you see the feature in Street Machine?
It looks like a good thing!

 

[Steve 155C]

Hi George - A guy I know uses glass beads for blasting carbs , exhaust valves etc. It doesn't seem to errode the surface like grit. He also uses a small cabinet at home.

 

[garyeanderson]

Grass beads break up and are like ground glass and have no business around a twin cam head or carbs, tough to get all the debre out of a carb. You really need to strip them down , throttle plates, shafts and bearings out (no plastic part) but all brass and screws and dip them in real carb cleaner, it comes in 5 gallon pales in the U.S for around $80 to $90 USD, and is a Chlorinated Solvents (caustic solution, a base, not an acid and it will take the skin off if you are not careful) and dip them for 6 hours or so, check them after 4 or so, repeat as nessessary. Wash them off with the hottest water you can when done. If you forget about them it will desolve the carb bodies.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachment.php?s=121dc0c3e98320d09debbd5b71f622ba&attachmentid=120182&d=1126924310

 

[Lashman]

Hi Gary,
I think it's the settings on that forum that won't allow you to link images from it to here?

I've just changed your settings so should now be okay to display images from other places.
Cheers
Louis

 

[Mark Cramond]

Matthew, i didn't see the feature on Soda Blasting. I have a mate over here that has a machine that he brought in from the States that does it. The key point for me with soda blasting is it does not generate any heat in the surface of what ever you are blasting so will not distort the shape. It is also food safe so can be used to blast out cooking vats and the like. It is a great invention.