Advice on Cleaning Carbs

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thunderbolt

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This '74 Roadster Mk2 had sat for 3 years before I took possession of it. Obviously the carbs were not drained before being left for this extended period of time.

This is the condition the carbs are in now.

Advice on Cleaning Carbs


Advice on Cleaning Carbs


Advice on Cleaning Carbs


Advice on Cleaning Carbs


It looks like all the parts are covered in a type of varnish and it stinks like "hell".

Can anyone tell me what to soak the carbs and parts in to remove this varnish. No doubt it will be in the internal drilling holes and passages.

Can these carbs be resurrected or are they junk!!!!!!!

Thanks in anticipation

Cheers
Don
 
After soaking in a strong solvent, like acetone, and physically cleaning all areas you can, you might try boiling them!

Sounds odd I know, but I boiled some carbs once with some simple detergent in the water, it was a kind of 'last resort' as I thought the carbs were junk, as I jad already cleaned them out in various ways, blown the out with compressed air, etc. But the amount of crap that came out when boiling was surprising, including a bit of machining swarf that I can only guess had been lodged in there somewhere from new.

The carbs were fine afterwards.
 
Ultrasonic cleaning can work wonders. If you don't have one of the machines and think it is not worth the investment in one then ask at your local friendly bike shop. My local shop will clean carbs in one they have for a small fee.
 
Fast Eddie said:
After soaking in a strong solvent, like acetone, and physically cleaning all areas you can, you might try boiling them!

Sounds odd I know, but I boiled some carbs once with some simple detergent in the water, it was a kind of 'last resort' as I thought the carbs were junk, as I jad already cleaned them out in various ways, blown the out with compressed air, etc. But the amount of crap that came out when boiling was surprising, including a bit of machining swarf that I can only guess had been lodged in there somewhere from new.

The carbs were fine afterwards.
Click to expand...

+1
I try to use distilled water when I boil them
 
Deets55 said:
Fast Eddie said:
After soaking in a strong solvent, like acetone, and physically cleaning all areas you can, you might try boiling them!

Sounds odd I know, but I boiled some carbs once with some simple detergent in the water, it was a kind of 'last resort' as I thought the carbs were junk, as I jad already cleaned them out in various ways, blown the out with compressed air, etc. But the amount of crap that came out when boiling was surprising, including a bit of machining swarf that I can only guess had been lodged in there somewhere from new.

The carbs were fine afterwards.
Click to expand...

+1
I try to use distilled water when I boil them
Click to expand...

Why is that ?
 
Ordinary water has minerals in it that can sometimes be deposited in the small openings that you are trying to clean by boiling. I also use distilled water in my auto/motorcycle radiators.
 
Deets55 said:
Ordinary water has minerals in it that can sometimes be deposited in the small openings that you are trying to clean by boiling. I also use distilled water in my auto/motorcycle radiators.
Click to expand...

Good point !
 
soda blasting works well and doesn't remove any metal or leave any harmful grit. If you've got access to a compressor it's easy to rig up a blasting gun. check on youtube.
 
thunderbolt said:
Can anyone tell me what to soak the carbs and parts in to remove this varnish.
Click to expand...

Paint stripper (the proper stuff) and a small paint brush.
 
We used to use laquer thinners in the trade. Not sure what would get that crap of though. The laquer thinners was very good at getting all the varnish of the carbs. used to make the outsides looks new. Was perfect for cleaning S U carbs.
Dereck
 
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