Interesting means of cleaning a carb

BullyDodge said
I watched this video about a week ago. I'll share my mistake. I boiled a 1406 Edlebrock in lemon juice (according to You-tubers) and it turned dark grey. I believe there was a chemical reaction with the coating they put on their carbs. Essentially turned it into garbage. I did try this gentleman's process to see if it would at least get the grey grime off and it help, but not to the point I would re-assemble and install. Not saying his process is not a good idea, mine did boil and was lots of action in the pail, however I think I did too much damage already. The grey material will rub off on your fingers but will not wash off, crazy. I believe the exterior make-up of the carb is key. Others might chime in on alloys or materials used in different carb manufacturers. I have another carb from a 48' Dodge I will be trying.

Try oven cleaner. Start scrubbing immediately with a brass brush and be ready to wash it at any time. Too long and it's going dark. That's a form of zinc oxide you're battling.

barbee6043 said
Diluted muratic acid is darn strong. BE careful. I would not use it....And I am fearless!
Yea right!!!

Being strong just depends on how much you dilute it.....

RustyRatRod said
Done it. Turns them dark grey or black. Simple green doesn't react well with aluminum.

The reason they're going dark isn't the aluminum, it's the zinc. Zinc and water don't get along (picture anything galvanized) and using a water based cleaner is a bit of a fool's errand anyway. The blockages in the passages are petroleum based. The carburetor is designed to handle petroleum based liquids. So why are we using water for anything other than a cursory cleaning? I've yet to see water do ANYTHING to varnish, and that's what's plugging those holes. We use varnish to protect wood from water damage!

Carb cleaner is petroleum distillates, works great for me. I'm not sure if elbow grease is petroleum or water based but it works great in conjunction with carb cleaner. I have cleaned, literally, over a thousand carbs in my time, and I've never used water based cleaners, and never blackened a carb body.

Common sense, not internet laziness, is going to win this day.

Edit: and yes, you can thank the EPA for neutering Berryman B12. Smelled like a meth lab and cleaned carbs like nothing else. God help you if you got it on your skin!