Carb Slide install Help

MarkDeaton · Jul 20, 2021

Rebuilt the two Amals for my 73 Commando. Looking for advice on getting the slides, slide needles, springs and keepers back together on the throttle cables. I have been wrestling with this all morning today and having to keep the spring compressed has pretty much worn my hands out. Seems like a puzzle having to get everything organized. Is there a fancy old school trick?

Blewdy Yaink · Jul 20, 2021

Hi, Mark. Assuming that you have the stock arrangement of throttle cables, I've always arranged the "hardware" on the slides and pulled them up to the carb top by pulling tension at the 2-1 connector in the throttle cable. I don't know that I've tried anything else but that's always seemed to work so it might help you.

eo1bart · Jul 20, 2021

Take a look at this video;

jbruney · Jul 20, 2021

Try pulling up the spring and catching it on the top edge of the slide.... What I do anyway.

MarkDeaton · Jul 20, 2021

Oh man that makes sense. Will reply with results thank you!!!

MarkDeaton · Jul 20, 2021

Thank you both that took all of 2 minutes.

MarkDeaton · Jul 20, 2021

Is there an o ring or anything that I need for where the top lid meets the carb before screwing down? I didn't get one in the rebuild kit.

Onder · Jul 20, 2021

No there isn't an O ring. Refer to the parts diagram at Andover if you don't have a parts book.
I just hold down the carb top firmly and run the screws in by hand. Still maintaining pressure I then tighten the two
screws..but not too much just nip them up. Being me I use new screws and esp spring washers.
One thing to be careful about is not disturbing the needle on the clip when you drop it in and when you get the
slides into the carb body.

david levine · Jul 20, 2021

i find needle nose pliers to grip cable,then you can slide the pesky spring up enough to insert the slide.hook spring on the side of the slide and insert needle with clip.release the spring.

maylar · Jul 20, 2021

david levine said:
i find needle nose pliers to grip cable,then you can slide the pesky spring up enough to insert the slide.hook spring on the side of the slide and insert needle with clip.release the spring.

Yep, me too.

jbruney · Jul 20, 2021

In the beginning I used pliers to hold the springs by gripping the cables, but they can easily scrape or nick a cable causing an issue further on..... Had to replace them once because of that and really don't enjoy the task. Perhaps I should have covered the jaws with something soft so as not to cause abrasions. Live and learn....

NickZ · Jul 20, 2021

I've been using the technique of putting the needle in then opening up the bottom end of the spring, insert it over the cable, then use a screwing motion to cause the spring to work itself all the way onto the cable. No pliers necessary.

ashman · Jul 20, 2021

jbruney said:
Try pulling up the spring and catching it on the top edge of the slide.... What I do anyway.

No need for pliers have always done it this way, so easy, I have just rebuilt my old Amals as going back to them from the PWK Flat slide carbies, if anyone has troubles with blocked jets soak your carbies in vinegar brings the old carbs up like new and unblock anything that has any crude in there.

Ashley

Tornado · Jul 20, 2021

NickZ said:
I've been using the technique of putting the needle in then opening up the bottom end of the spring, insert it over the cable, then use a screwing motion to cause the spring to work itself all the way onto the cable. No pliers necessary.

Yes I too struggle trying to compress the spring and fit the cable to slide. But then saw some video of just "threading" the spring corkscrew like around the already engaged cable. Very easy to do. No more aching fingers and bent cables.

Onder · Jul 21, 2021

Is it me or are the newer Amal springs longer than the old ones?

acadian · Jul 21, 2021

NickZ said:
I've been using the technique of putting the needle in then opening up the bottom end of the spring, insert it over the cable, then use a screwing motion to cause the spring to work itself all the way onto the cable. No pliers necessary.

This, wind the spring around the cable and save yourself a headache

gortnipper · Jul 21, 2021

NickZ said:
I've been using the technique of putting the needle in then opening up the bottom end of the spring, insert it over the cable, then use a screwing motion to cause the spring to work itself all the way onto the cable. No pliers necessary.

In all these years I cant believe that I didn't come across or think of this. Not that compressing the spring is hard,, but this seems like a no brainer and can help avoid dislodging the needle clip, which I have done more than once.

maylar · Jul 22, 2021

Does this technique work with the air slide (choke) as well?

Tornado · Jul 22, 2021

maylar said:
Does this technique work with the air slide (choke) as well?

Never tried but should work.

Carb Slide install Help

Similar threads