I was afraid with EPA and environazis everywhere that the traditional big can of carb cleaner would be so weak it would not clean my nasty grungy old carb
Insides were even worse (dead spider not pictured here)
But no! That stuff still smells like hell, burns your skin when you splash a little on you (yes I did use rubber gloves working around it but still ...), and cleans the carb like magic! Bought a NOS carb kit (ebay, where else?), got out my factory manual to see just where all those little parts were supposed to go, cleared off the dining table (shhh! don't tell my wife!):
And not too much later, ta-da:
Gonna wait for my neighbor to get back from a short trip up north (Florida, not Canada ) so we can check fuel feed from pump before putting it back on but it should run fine now.
Bled the brakes with my neighbor yesterday, just have to rebuild the steering column (again - got new parts, some here, some coming) and as long as the overheating problem is resolved with new water pump and radiator, we'll be runnin' down the road yeehah!
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
What engine is in the car now Dave? When are you planning to install the big block?
The original (numbers match cowl tag) 261 straight 6 is in there, the plan is to get it running with all new/rebuilt front end & rear end & steering & brakes & wheels/tires & interior & functional (lights, wipers, turn signals, etc.) with the original motor and then enjoy cruising a bit while I finish the big block, and then put in the HD trans, and rebuild the diff with 4.11 Posi, then install the 496 ... gonna be awhile but it is gonna be fun all the way
No time estimate on when the big block install will be done, build will be done this year for sure, I do plan to have break-in and tuning on dyno before the install so will know what that bad boy is capable of right down to the last foot-pound
I am also planning on weighing the old 6 and the new aluminum-head V8 to once and for all answer questions about weight differences.
It is a little premature to plan on it at this point but I keep having this recurring dream of once it is all done, taking a month or two in the summer and driving up to Canada in the old girl and mooching beer off everyone up there in exchange for a neck-snapping ride, or better yet, Hillar and others with big-block power, let's find a stretch of deserted 2-lane country road and let 'em rip! Eh???!!!
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
It's been years since I bought a gallon pail of carb cleaner, I didn't think you could buy it anymore. A buddy was rebuilding some carbs a few years ago, and had to use a bunch of the spray cans. Where did you get the bucket of carb cleaner, and what name brand was it, etc?
Hmmm, never buttered a baby's but so I'll just pretend you are talking REALLY smooth!!!
Good to see EPA hasn't taken everything away yet!
OK since I haven't either, let me amend that - smooth as lotion on a baby's butt (yes I have changed a few diapers in my time).
And I was pleasantly surprised when I asked the counter man at the auto parts store if they still had those big buckets of carb cleaner and he said "yes we do they're right over there" because I was expecting him to say "oh no they were outlawed years ago."
Only cost a little over $20 US too. Included the basket inside to load up the little pieces and soak them.
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
It's been years since I bought a gallon pail of carb cleaner, I didn't think you could buy it anymore. A buddy was rebuilding some carbs a few years ago, and had to use a bunch of the spray cans. Where did you get the bucket of carb cleaner, and what name brand was it, etc?
I bought it at the local auto parts store, Advance Auto Parts, don't think there are any in Canada, but if your place carries Gunk products they should have this too:
Note that there are 3 quarts of liquid in the gallon can to allow for putting in carb body without overflowing. Gunk part number CC3K.
The label says 20 minutes to soak but mine was pretty bad so it took up to an hour for some parts, and I did have to use a nylon bristle brush on some of the worst spots.
Now I've got the can tucked away for future use, I remember being able to do many carbs with one can.
Hope you can find one when you need it.
Dave
-- Edited by davelacourse on Wednesday 22nd of July 2009 07:53:16 AM
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
It is a little premature to plan on it at this point but I keep having this recurring dream of once it is all done, taking a month or two in the summer and driving up to Canada in the old girl and mooching beer off everyone up there in exchange for a neck-snapping ride, or better yet, Hillar and others with big-block power, let's find a stretch of deserted 2-lane country road and let 'em rip! Eh???!!!
Dave
Dave I'll have a couple cases waiting for you if you make it out west
It is a little premature to plan on it at this point but I keep having this recurring dream of once it is all done, taking a month or two in the summer and driving up to Canada in the old girl and mooching beer off everyone up there in exchange for a neck-snapping ride, or better yet, Hillar and others with big-block power, let's find a stretch of deserted 2-lane country road and let 'em rip! Eh???!!!
Dave
Dave I'll have a couple cases waiting for you if you make it out west
Great! I love B.C., must stand for Beautiful Country, eh?
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
) so we can check fuel feed from pump before putting it back on but it should run fine now.
1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
