Carb slider seized

[totalfool]

I am attempting to rebuild a pair of carbs from a 78 Special but one of the sliders is jammed in place. Before I do something stupid and break something, I thought that I would ask if anyone else has experienced this and what a possible solution might be.

 

[JAX71224]

I am attempting to rebuild a pair of carbs from a 78 Special but one of the sliders is jammed in place. Before I do something stupid and break something, I thought that I would ask if anyone else has experienced this and what a possible solution might be.

Spray carb cleaner at the bottom edges of the slide and tap around the sides a bit a piece of wooden dowel rod whittled down to gently pry up from inside the throttle bore.. If no joy yet, you might have to remove the rubber from the top and soak in mild solvent . Remember there are other rubber bits still in there so don't use too aggressive soaking solution. Good luck, you'll get it ....

 

[5twins]

I don't recommend carb cleaner. Get any on the diaphragm and it will shrivel up like a used condom, lol. Instead, use something mild like WD40 and use heat (a heat gun). The heat is the important factor here. It will soften the fuel varnish that's making the slide stick and also allow the WD40 to penetrate better. Then gently pry the slide up from the bottom and it should break free.

 

[totalfool]

Thanks, I’ll try your suggestion very patiently

 

[5twins]

Yes, don't rush it, let the WD and heat do their thing. And if the slide is stuck open, you could also gently tap down on it to break it free.

 

[freddy3]

I'd second the WD40 and add that, after lavishing the oil onto the carbs, I'd let it sit overnight to give the oil time to penetrate/loosen the stuck parts. The less force needed to loosen/separate the parts, the better. If an overnight soak in WD40 fails, try Kroil, which is almost certain to loosen anything that isn't welded together.

 

[Jan_P]

Yes, don't rush it, let the WD and heat do their thing. And if the slide is stuck open, you could also gently tap down on it to break it free.

Yes to Patience .. Unless in a hurry let it sit for long time . And now and then heat and lubricate

 

[jetmechmarty]

Ditto! WD40 dissolves the goo in a hurry.

 

[totalfool]

Thank you all for your suggestions. The 48 hour soak with "Wonder Drug"40 and the reworked dowel did the trick. I applied increasing pressure on the dowel lever and sure enough just ass I was getting ready to quit and try heat, it broke free. I am now very gently cleaning up the bore and the slider before finishing the rebuild. Once again thank you to all who contributed to this solution. Cheers

 

[gggGary]

Too late, but a hair dryer is your friend here. Gasoline varnish softens readily with hair dryer heat (a heat gun would be too much heat here). Point the hair dryer in the intake, hot hair flows under, warms the slide, (prop the butterfly open) ten minutes or less and finger pressure will push it up n out.
It helps to lift the diaphragm and spritz a bit of WD or rust buster at the carb body/slide, avoid getting it on the diaphragm.