Removing zenith carbs - any tips?

[MajorBenz]

Hi guys,

Got myself some rebuild kits and about to start overhauling my zeniths. First must pull them off the engine.Was going to start with the front carb (closest to radiator). Any tips on getting access to the nuts on the valve cover side? I've disconnected the linkages / fuel lines / electical wires. Got two nuts loose - but the ones on the valve cover side are pretty hard to get at. Will removing the valve cover help? Or do I need to remove the rear carb first to access the front one? Am hoping to at least avoid pulling the intake manifold....

Cheers,
Dan

1969 280s - M130 engine.

[Bartman4800]

Buy a cheap 12 mm combination spanner.

Heat up with a torch and bend it.

I had to do that to get sufficient access on my finnie (which has the same setup)

This will give you access to the nuts on the foot plate.

No other items to be removed, other than the linkage.


Bart

[MajorBenz]

Buy a cheap 12 mm combination spanner.

Heat up with a torch and bend it.

I had to do that to get sufficient access on my finnie (which has the same setup)

This will give you access to the nuts on the foot plate.

No other items to be removed, other than the linkage.


Bart

Hi Bart,
Thanks for reply - will give that a shot.
What would you recommend for cleaning the carbs? Would kerosene be ok? I use that to clean bicycle parts.
Cheers mate,
Dan
:)

[Bartman4800]

Vinegar, the cheapest you can find (Aldi or Home brand)

Submerge them overnight in a bucket filled with white vinegar, this will turn all varnish into slime and make your copper surfaces shiny. Does not attack the metal.

Then spray with carby cleaner to remove the slime from all surfaces.

Take the whole carby apart and clean all jets, passages etc. with compressed air and carby cleaner.

The home brand carb cleaner from soopercheep works good, the stuff from Repco does not...

Best to use nitrile gloves with the carb cleaner


Bart

[MajorBenz]

Vinegar, the cheapest you can find (Aldi or Home brand)

Submerge them overnight in a bucket filled with white vinegar, this will turn all varnish into slime and make your copper surfaces shiny. Does not attack the metal.

Then spray with carby cleaner to remove the slime from all surfaces.

Take the whole carby apart and clean all jets, passages etc. with compressed air and carby cleaner.

The home brand carb cleaner from soopercheep works good, the stuff from Repco does not...

Best to use nitrile gloves with the carb cleaner


Bart

Vinegar you say? Well blow me down!
Off to Aldi.
Thanks once again for your sage advice Bart!

[MajorBenz]

Vinegar, the cheapest you can find (Aldi or Home brand)

Submerge them overnight in a bucket filled with white vinegar, this will turn all varnish into slime and make your copper surfaces shiny. Does not attack the metal.

Then spray with carby cleaner to remove the slime from all surfaces.

Take the whole carby apart and clean all jets, passages etc. with compressed air and carby cleaner.

The home brand carb cleaner from soopercheep works good, the stuff from Repco does not...

Best to use nitrile gloves with the carb cleaner


Bart

Hi Bart,
I got the front carb off! (After lots of swearing).
It is now sitting disassembled waiting for it's vinegar bath. I just have to get my hands on a compressor for the blowing out. Is there any chance I could get away with just using an aerosol "air duster" for this procedure? Apparently they're are at about 140 psi when full.
Or should I just bite the bullet and buy a compressor. The guy at my tool shop said I need at least 50L tank if I don't want the motor kicking in every 5 minutes..
Cheers,
Dan

[Bartman4800]

You can use an air duster, for sure.

I have had a small 40 liter compressor from Bunnings for nearly 10 years now. Do everything with it, except for Spray Painting.

I expected it to die long ago, but it is just holding on...

So what if it kicks in every 5 minutes?


Bart

[merc-304]

Buy a cheap $10 duster from supacheap or wherever...after vinegar bath take your carby bits down your local servo ...disconnect there tyre gauge connect your new duster..blow out your carb orifices..reconnect there tyre inflator .....
Job done !
And your used vinegar is a fantasic weed killer.

[CraigB]

Thanks for the vinegar tip Bart - I have 2 alfa webers that need cleaning after rotten '98'.... again. Will give that a try.

The other point with the Zenith is that i believe they can warp, so checking how flat the bases is good, and i assume you could reflatten by rubbing on a sheet of emery on glass..... others will know more. Also look for play in spindles that can wear and leak air - ie. not just seals can be a problem.