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Technical Looking for a super thin solvent

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by tjet, Apr 27, 2023.

  1. tjet
    Joined: Mar 16, 2009
    Posts: 1,350

    tjet
    Member

    I'm trying to find something to clean out (& test) an old Carter YF. It needs to be very thin and safe for vintage carbs. Thanks
     
  2. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,647

    alchemy
    Member

    Lacquer thinner? You are replacing gaskets and seals, right?
     
    alanp561 likes this.
  3. '29 Gizmo
    Joined: Nov 6, 2022
    Posts: 1,173

    '29 Gizmo
    Member
    from UK

    Penetrating oil (the propper stuff not WD40)
     
  4. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 35,926

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I've never had trouble with regular spray can carb cleaner but I haven't cleaned any seriously old carbs in a longtime although I have a pair of 94's that I have to do.
    It would seem that the dip can cleaners that we had back in the day were stronger and more agressive than what we might have now though but I may be wrong.
     
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  5. 05snopro440
    Joined: Mar 15, 2011
    Posts: 2,979

    05snopro440
    Member

    Can you use a carb cleaner spray that has a really strong spray? I've found some brands are like using an air compressor.
     
  6. tjet
    Joined: Mar 16, 2009
    Posts: 1,350

    tjet
    Member

    The dip cleaner from Gunk is thick. It really didn't do anything (soaked carb for 2 weeks). Even mineral spirits and paint thinners are thicker nowadays. I ended up scrubbing it with dish soap. On my carter YF that I'm working on, I'm unable to get a good shot from the accelerator pump, which I'm thinking either the solvent I'm using is too thick (paint thinner), or the p***ages are plugged. I'm hesitant on a heavy duty carb cleaner as I think it will attack the pump diaphragm, which means I will need to order another kit.
     

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  7. TexasHardcore
    Joined: May 30, 2003
    Posts: 5,608

    TexasHardcore
    Member
    from Austin-ish

    Acetone?
     
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  8. tjet
    Joined: Mar 16, 2009
    Posts: 1,350

    tjet
    Member

  9. millersgarage
    Joined: Jun 23, 2009
    Posts: 2,310

    millersgarage
    Member

    I can't think of a solvent that is thick
     
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  10. tjet
    Joined: Mar 16, 2009
    Posts: 1,350

    tjet
    Member

    As you can see, the inlet hole is very small. The outlet is 3x bigger, so when the diaphragm goes back up, the fuel takes the path of least resistance (outlet)
     

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  11. tjet
    Joined: Mar 16, 2009
    Posts: 1,350

    tjet
    Member

    Yeah I'm going to get some
     
  12. greybeard360
    Joined: Feb 28, 2008
    Posts: 2,098

    greybeard360
    Member

    Everything mentioned is flammable.... Why not use gas? That is what is going to be used in it anyway.
     
  13. 1952henry
    Joined: Jan 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,579

    1952henry
    Member

    I have had luck soaking 94s in acetone for 24 hours or more, in a sealed container to arrest evaporation. This followed by canned carb cleaner blasting through all p***ages.
     
  14. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 15,881

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I always have a spray can or two of Berrymans B12 in the cupboard. I have also used paint gun cleaner, it is a charged can as well but stronger.
     
  15. tjet
    Joined: Mar 16, 2009
    Posts: 1,350

    tjet
    Member

    Update: I got the accelerator pump to squirt properly. Turns out that there's 2 options in the kit: one has a weight with a check ball, and the other is a pointed weight and no check ball. My carb takes the pointed weight. This goes in the hole at the top.

    The spray is awesome now!!!
     
  16. ClayMart
    Joined: Oct 26, 2007
    Posts: 7,790

    ClayMart
    Member

    Years ago I bought one of those handheld, household steam cleaner guns. A "Steamin' Weasel" or whatever they called it. Never use it very much because the small capacity won't let you really do larger jobs without repeatedly refilling it. But I did use it once to clean the sticky, scuzzy stuff off of an old vinyl steering wheel grip. It makes a fairly "dry" steam and cleaned well enough without making a big mess. And just using water it didn't attack the vinyl. Wonder if it might also safely do the job of cleaning a carburetor?
     
  17. nochop
    Joined: Nov 13, 2005
    Posts: 4,573

    nochop
    Member
    from norcal

    Wear safety gl***es…..ask me why
     
  18. Jack E/NJ
    Joined: Mar 5, 2011
    Posts: 970

    Jack E/NJ
    Member
    from NJ

    >>>I'm trying to find something to clean out (& test) an old Carter YF. It needs to be very thin and safe for vintage carbs.>>>

    Simmer on low in a covered CrockPot with Walmart or ShopRite pre-mix antifreeze for about a day. Add water as needed. Rinse. Dry upside down in the sun for a while. Shake to make sure float seems loose.
     
  19. 05snopro440
    Joined: Mar 15, 2011
    Posts: 2,979

    05snopro440
    Member

    Been there, learned that too.
     
    LWEL9226 and nochop like this.

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