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Would it be ok to soak these seized carbs in diesel?

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Would it be ok to soak these seized carbs in diesel?
#1
jiminwatford James Miller
Scunthorpe, UK   GBR
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I have a pair of these carbs. i might want to use them at some point. They're pretty seized and haven't been used for YEARS. I'm wondering if a first move might be to soak them in diesel for a couple of weeks and see if if frees up the shaft, piston etc


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Re: Would it be ok to soak these seized carbs in diesel?
#2
Bernd Kamenicky Avatar
Bernd Kamenicky Bernard Kamenicky
Altlengbach, Lower Austria, Austria   AUT
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1966 MG MGB GT "The Red One"
1971 MG MGB MkII "The Blue One"
Why not but do not expect wonders.
Especially the bores inside and the floating chambers and needles and valves will probably be seized.
If it was HS6 or 8 I'd try but HS4s are cheap.
Really: Better try to get better ones and care for worn out throttle spindles,
Cheers
Bernd

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Re: Would it be ok to soak these seized carbs in diesel?
#3
MGBGM1977 Avatar
MGBGM1977 Anthony Piper
Heaven in the woods, FL, USA   USA
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1974 MG MGB
1977 MG MGB V6 Conversion
Try ATF and Acetone 50/50 mix.

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Re: Would it be ok to soak these seized carbs in diesel?
#4
Simon Austin Avatar
Simon Austin Gold Member
Surrey, BC, Canada   CAN
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1968 Ford Torino
1977 MG MGB V8 Conversion
Another vote for the acetone/ATF mix. I saved a pair of HS2 carbs years ago with this mixture and more recently, the floats and bowls of a pair of HS4’s. The floats were stuck in the bowls. A couple of days in the mix got them loose.


"Speed costs........how fast you want to spend?"

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Re: Would it be ok to soak these seized carbs in diesel?
#5
Speedracer Avatar
Speedracer Platinum Member Hap Waldrop
Taylors, SC, USA   USA
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1967 MG MGB Racecar "The Biscuit"
You are not going to accomplish much of anything soaking an assembled carb, even in carb cleaning bucket with a product like Berryman. Besides, they are crusty enough to warrant a full diassembly and rebuild, and that will involve a lot more than a soaking.


Hap Waldrop
Acme Speed Shop
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Re: Would it be ok to soak these seized carbs in diesel?
#6
MGBGM1977 Avatar
MGBGM1977 Anthony Piper
Heaven in the woods, FL, USA   USA
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1974 MG MGB
1977 MG MGB V6 Conversion
Well, of course you disassemble after soaking so they come apart easier.

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Re: Would it be ok to soak these seized carbs in diesel?
#7
Rufus Avatar
Rufus Gold Member Harry Singleton
Deep in the East Texas Piney Woods, TX, USA   USA
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1967 MG MGB "The White Car"
1967 MG MGB GT Special "Rusty"
I seem to be seeing more of these Krusty Karbs lately. I guess the used carburetter market is making them worth more and more.
In my experience, if the piston is stuck to the air dome, and it takes chemical and physical force to get it loose, the carburetter isn't going to be usable. The clearance for the piston is a precise fit, and if the vacuum isn't there, the piston won't rise. Simple. The other area that is crucial is the butterfly to throttle body fit. If there is wear there, you won't be able to keep the idle down.
Try what ever methods you like, and if you come out the other end with usable throttle bodies and piston/air domes, go buy a lottery ticket!

Have fun

here's a photo of a recent pair that were just too far gone to justify using them as parts donors. I hate throwing carbs in the scrap metal can, but that's all there is to do.


If ignorance is bliss, I must be the happiest man alive!
Signed

RUFUS
67 Roadster


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Re: Would it be ok to soak these seized carbs in diesel?
#8
Arizona Shorty Avatar
Arizona Shorty Greg McC
Prescott, AZ, USA   USA
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1968 Jeep CJ-5
1975 Yamaha MC RD350
1977 MG MGB
1985 Jeep CJ-7
If the parts are stuck, I would assume it is aluminum oxide, which is not soluble in diesel or any other common solvent. In order to oxidize, aluminum must be sacrificed. That sacrificed aluminum is not recoverable. So you can try if you want to. I doubt you will recover much of value.

GMc


Wait for me at the gate Tuffy, because without you they're never gonna let me in.

SDCH WTCH-X Twin Oaks Tuff Nutt
2008 - 2022

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Re: Would it be ok to soak these seized carbs in diesel?
#9
MGBGM1977 Avatar
MGBGM1977 Anthony Piper
Heaven in the woods, FL, USA   USA
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1974 MG MGB
1977 MG MGB V6 Conversion
Forget the naysayers and give it a try. It cost very little and certainly won't hurt anything. Yours don't look to be in nearly as bad a condition as the ones in post#7.

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Re: Would it be ok to soak these seized carbs in diesel?
#10
tahoe36c Avatar
tahoe36c Paul Hruza
Panama City, FL, USA   USA
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1969 MG MGC GT "Little Red Rocket..."
1972 MG MGB GT "Tiny Dancer"
2002 Harley-Davidson Dyna
Dashpots are looking pretty rough. You won't be polishing those out to any shine, that's for sure... Not without sanding off a h*ll of a lot of material!


Those who confuse Burro and Burrow don't know their @ss from a hole in the ground...

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Re: Would it be ok to soak these seized carbs in diesel?
#11
Arizona Shorty Avatar
Arizona Shorty Greg McC
Prescott, AZ, USA   USA
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1968 Jeep CJ-5
1975 Yamaha MC RD350
1977 MG MGB
1985 Jeep CJ-7
Not sure what a naysayer is, but try it, just don't expect a perfect set of carbs when done.


GMc


Wait for me at the gate Tuffy, because without you they're never gonna let me in.

SDCH WTCH-X Twin Oaks Tuff Nutt
2008 - 2022

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