Uh oh. Crap in carbs. Now what?

[NMShooter]

I don't know if anyone has been paying attention to my jetting thread, but I ended up pulling the carbs off to get to the jets earlier today, probably a good idea that I did. Pulling the bowls showed that I had some laquer flakes loose in the bowls, and the bowl gaskets looked pretty compressed and old.

I think a rebuild is in order, but at this point i would prefer to have a pro do the rebuild.

Unfortunately, I live in Albuquerque, and I question the capabilities of the single shop that we have here.

I'd like to box these up and send them to a pro to clean (do they still boil out carbs?) and rebuild.

I'm hoping my request is not in violation of forum rules...but can anyone recommend a competent shop in the U.S. for rebuilding these carbs?

Thanks!!!!!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Uh oh. Crap in carbs. Now what?

There is no need for a rebuild, just a good cleaning. These carbs are so simple that you can do it yourself. Simply disassemble the bowl and remove the float and inlet needle. screw in the low speed needles counting the turns so you cann reset them. Then clean everything with WD 40. Use the red tube and blow it through every orifice. Reassemble the carbs and attach to the engibne. Then go to FAQs: Synchronizing timing and carbs to see how to set the low speed needles. That's it---about 1/2 hour per carb.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Uh oh. Crap in carbs. Now what?

It would be a shame to hire it out. It's so easy, you've got the hardest part done. All the info you need to complete the job is available here. The satisfaction of doing it yourself is an added benefit.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Uh oh. Crap in carbs. Now what?

Like the others said,Do it yourself.
The bowl gaskets can be had at any Mercury dealer.
Nothing works as good as the factory stuff anyway.
Usually a good cleaning,then an inline filter between the carbs and the pump.
Wally World G2 or G12 depending on the size of the gas line.

 

[NMShooter]

Re: Uh oh. Crap in carbs. Now what?

Really? WD40 will dissolve shellac from old gas buildup?

I thought about spraying it down with CRC or similar carb cleaner, but was concerned that the carb cleaner might affect internal seals that I could not get to. I don't want to do this twice!

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Uh oh. Crap in carbs. Now what?

NM,

I went through this last spring and I can attest, the carbs are easy to rebuilt! What motor do you have? (sorry, unfamiliar with your other post) Take plenty of pictures for reference and do as others have stated. If you run into an issue, post and a reply would be forthcoming!

Good Luck!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Uh oh. Crap in carbs. Now what?

WD 40 is safe and will remove all but the most stubborn deposits. These (in the bowl) can be scrubbed out with the combination of WD and a skotchbrite green scrubby pad. Most metered orifices can be reamed clean with a pipe cleaner soaked in it. However, do be careful with any drilled holes in the carb body: They are metering orifices and if inadvertently enlarged by reaming with metal rods, they will change the mixture and low speed characteristics.

Do not be "scared" by this info. I supply it only to provide the results of ham-handed workmanship. If you take reasonable care in handling and cleaning there is a 100% chance of a good result.

At the top of the carb, back above the butterfly, you will see a "welsh plug" about 1/2 inch in diameter. It is sealed with red or clear sealer (usually). More aggressive cleaners such as CRC carb cleaner MAY dissolve this seal. Other than the needle seat, there are no other internal seals to worry about. As I said: These carbs are dirt simple.

However, do not make the assumption that the operation of them is also simple. While the carbs are not complex, the engineering design and thought behind them certainly is

 

[lukeb83]

Re: Uh oh. Crap in carbs. Now what?

ive used wd to clean the carbs on several of the outboards that ive owned over the years. it really is as simple as described in this thread. follow franks advice and ull be running in no time. u may want to put a new float in it (depending how bad of shape its in). good luck, you got this!

 

[NMShooter]

Re: Uh oh. Crap in carbs. Now what?

Okay.. you've shamed me into this. I'll take pictures, note screw settings, and will give this a shot.

BTW, this is for an 1988 85hp Force.

What started out as a simple "I wonder what size jets I currently have" (turned out to be .072 which is probably right for my 4500 to 7000 range) had spiraled into a carb cleaning. I'm hoping I don't find worn parts..... I am just wanting to have this put back together and be running at this point!

I appreciate all the help! I continue to be amazed at how helpful forums can be... I recently had to rebuild the front end of my daughter's 4Runner and would not have made it through without forum input.

I'm really hoping this is nowhere near that bad