Farmall Cub

The carburetor on my "48 Cub was flooding. So, I tried to see if I could blow it out with carb cleaner. It did stopped flooding, but then would not flow fuel at all. So I took it apart. The inside is coated with white powder. Corrosion I think. What is the best way to clean this stuff off, carb cleaner and a brass brush? I read about soaking a carb in white vinegar? I'm not going to soak it in antifreeze in the crockpot.

There is a second issue here: The inlet had a fitting JB'ed into it so that a hose can be clamped to it. The fuel line is copper with a short piece of rubber hose clamped between the line and the inlet. I'm assumming the threads have been stripped. Can the inlet be removed?

DO NOT soak it in vinegar. Vinegar will dissolve the pot metal carburetor castings. If the fuel inlet threads have been stripped, they can be helicoiled.

Auto parts stores, sell carb cleaner, in gallon cans, with basket, to lower parts into it. Probably safest to use a product, designed to do what you want to do. Ed

You can soda blast it

Soda blasting is a wonderful thing if someone local has the equipment.

I'm afraid a soda blasted carb would look out of place on tractor.

I have removed a JB Weld fitting by carefully heating the fitting and not getting the flame on the carb itself. You'll want to put the carb in a vise so you can hold the torch (propane is probably best) with one hand and gently pull and twist on the fitting with pliers as the JB softens. The inlet can then be helicoiled to restore it to the original 1/2-20 threads.

Bob

Thanks for the response guys. I'm thinking to stick with a can of Berryman's, and get a TSC kit. You go online and see all these great idea's, but there not all so great are they?

Bob, that's agreat idea. As soon as we move to our new place, build a new bench, and find my vise. I'll try that out.

Tom, Nobody likes the TSC kit. I'd clean up the carb and see if you need more than a body gasket. The Case/IH is the best quality one and you can get it from a dealer or TM Tractor (they are quick too).

Bob

TSC kits are the worst choice you can make. Better off with no kit at all- just a gasket. Get a Steiner kit and a gasket from TM or IH. Check to see if the top is warped and if so, flatten it.

Carb cleaner will not clean out the oxidation so elbow grease it with a wire brush. Anything you don't get out of the fuel bowl, you can blow out of the main jet later when it gets clogged

Edit: 2 Bobs, 2 great minds.

No much need to add anything ..

Berrymans Carb Cleaner (gallon can with the basket)

IH Carb Gasket/Kit or Steiners kit (a gasket template from Bob McCarty is a good idea as well)

Stay as far away from TSC kits as possible. Same goes for some of the other ones out there like Spectre kits. The gaskets are junk.

Straighten the carb if needed as Bob in Ct said - see these articles - Lurker Carl's Cub Carb Fixes

Carb Cleaner will not clean the the inside of the bowl of the oxidation You can soda blast the inside and not do the out side Do a search for soda blasting

I agree with the others, especially on the kit. Here on the forum, it is usually referred to as the "TSC" kit, but it is actually a "Tisco" kit and is sold by a lot of other suppliers, besides TSC. Avoid the Tisco kit, no matter who tries to sell it to you.

Back to the OT. About five years ago I let several tractors sit all winter with ethanol in the carbs. Every one had the white powder inside the carb. After cleaning and using non-ethanol gas the problem went away. Was it the gas? I don't know.

The white powdery accumulation is oxidization - caused by condensation reacting with the pot metal and then evaporating leaving the white residue behind. I know that because it has happened to me and some very knowledgeable folks here on the forum cleared that up for me. In my case the Berryman's solved the problem. If the white residue is really stuck on, then soda blasting would be useful.