So since I finally got the nerve to rebuild my carb I pulled it off tonight in preparation to pull it apart and clean it when I get off work tomorrow.

In my general inspection of the carb I noticed this...



I'm hoping that the worn nut is part of the removable fuel filter. Please tell me it is, and if not, then tell me that this is a cheap easy part to find.

 

that nut is actually part of the fuel line itself. it is relatively cheap and easy to replace though, its simple 3/8" steel line you can buy off and auto parts shelf. theres a special thin wrench made for removing the fuel filter housing though, but if its off the car can prob use a regular wrench. be careful the casting on the carb is rather thin and i've seen some broken in the past

 

Yeah i've already seen a few of the screws in the air horn have that chalky white chinesium powder crap on them, i can only imagine what the inside is like -.- but yes the carb is off the car.

What about I have a rubber hose line that was attached to that fuel inlet and to the fuel line coming from the pump? That doesn't seem right to me. What is supposed to be there? This same 3/8" line?

Edit- Anyone got a part number for the fuel filter? Might as well do it while I have the carb off, since I'm sure it hasn't been changed in 28 years

 

The only real way to replace it is rplace the fuel line from the pump. A less preferred method is splice it with a piece of line and a compression fitting.
This is the result of not finding the proper wrench to remove it, and just going with channel locks or pliers.

 

yup, someone in the past butchered it and left you the mess original carb lines are usually a steel hardline all the way from the fuel pump to the carb. you could make a couple nipples with 3/8 line from the autoparts or use a couple hose barbs with the correct thread and run a rubber fuel line from the pump to the carb but it wont look as neat as the original line and you will have to somehow secure it to keep it from hitting on accessory components

oh and that fuel filter is available at just about any local autoparts, quadrajets have been around forever lol

 

Most likely gf441 if it's the 2" paper filter. Be sure to check float level, looks like carb has been beat on to "fix" an overflow problem.

 

I'm going to pick up a new float tomorrow along with carb dip. I'm going to do as extensive of a rebuild as I can, since I have a service manual and TGO to help me, but I can't really see me going hog wild and buying all the specialty tools that I'll use three times in thirty years.

and yeah the deeper I dig into this car the more rigged stuff I find... Jesus, fix it right the first time. Thank god I don't have bondo body panels or no floor pans like some guys.

 

Probably no need for a new float, just adjust the level after a new needle and seat. Carb kit is like $35 bux. New gaskets all around and the needle and seat. Only real specialty tool is to adjust/remove the idle mixture screws.

 

yeah, I've had a GP Sorenson (sp?) kit laying around for a few months, this is the first chance I've had to tear into it. Not saying you're wrong with the float but I thought it would be better to replace them since I've heard they are plastic or some other fuel absorbing material and sink over the years?

also besides epoxying the bowl plugs what else can I hit on this thing, id like to not do it again for a while. I'll take your advice for the mixture screw tool... I have no idea what the po did on this carb but safe to say its probably been fiddled with in some uncouth way

 

Some are brass, others a type of polymer. Can't hurt to replace it if its not the brass type. Pretty straight forward, Just a good cleaning and make your adjusments according to the manual you have. Blow out all the passages with a compressor while its apart if you have one . Carb cleaner with a tube will work. EYE PROTECTION WHEN YOU DO IT THAT WAY!!! It wont blind you, but hurts like hell for15 minues or so.(spoken from personal experience) The base plate plugs definitely seal them.

 

So it is now apparent to me that at some point in its life this carburetor HAS been rebuilt at least once. Pulled it all apart about an hour ago and the bowl plugs had been epoxied at some point. Of course, between age and gasoline the epoxy has degraded. Is there a more "permanent" fix for this issue? Say, could the plugs be drilled out and welded shut? Or should I just get the best epoxy I can get my hands on and be prepared to do 'em again in ten years? Also, I got a can of Gunk Carburetor Dip/Parts cleaner from Advance. It says it is safe to use on whatever but I wanted to check here first and see if anyone else has used it and make sure it's safe for our carbs before I dump it in tomorrow.

Also, I had a brass float, and I am happy to report that corrosion seems to be a negligible issue on my carb. Now that I've done it I don't know why people are so reluctant to tear into carburetors. It's really not that big of a deal.

 

Epoxy is the best stuff I know of. Just make sure it's good and clean. People dont want to try to rebuild a carb because it's one of those "magical" things they dont understand how it really works. Therefore, it MUST take some type of genius to do it. It's too easy, did my first when I was 16.... that was, well... way too many years ago.

 

I am missing a few springs inside the carburetor. There are no replacement springs in my rebuild kit besides the garter spring for the pump cup, which I feel is BS considering how flimsy some of these things are. Can I go to a parts store and get these or am I about to run into a nasty dead end??? I will be posting in the parts wanted section for springs just in case......