Boiling with hydrochloric acid .....

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Brooks James

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I haven’t found a better carb cleaner than hydrochloric acid. This is one that is at least 70 yrs old. The only thing it doesn’t strip well is any petroleum residue which I use industrial strength carb cleaner for. It’s great for everything else and outstanding on aluminum electrolysis, you know the white crusty stuff that is the corrosion
When water gets in an aluminum carb.
Cheapest way to get the acid is extra strength sno bowl which is a toilet cleaner. It is diluted. DO NOT add water
It can result in a chemical reaction and blow up in your face. It didn’t look too bad but had massive electrolysis inside

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Looks great! How long did you soak it? So you get the oil and grease off first then use the sno bowl?

I have one that’s got some rust stains and corrosion inside is this is good to see right now.
 
If you need to mix acid and water, slowly add the acid to the water. Wear goggles and gloves.

if you add the water to the acid, hydrogen is released and the mix is hot. You run the risk of it going “boom” in your face.
 
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If you have to go this way... do it away from anything you want to keep and outside with plenty of ventilation. Whenever handling acid rubber gauntlet type gloves, goggles ( better if you also have a face shield) heavy water proof apron. Acid is no joke. Eyes, skin, lungs. all things you will want to keep.
Hydrochloric Acid Hazards & Safety Tips | MSDSonline
 
A lot of carbs are made from zinc not aluminum so you need to be careful of that also, Actually Nitric acid is the best cleaner for aluminum not hydrochloric.

Also very bad for you so be very careful if you use it.
 
Looks great! How long did you soak it? So you get the oil and grease off first then use the sno bowl?

I have one that’s got some rust stains and corrosion inside is this is good to see right now.
If it’s pot metal like Holley, check every
5 min. If it’s aluminum check more than that. I left one in overnight and it ate the carb, all that was left was a small pile of aluminum sludge !!
I have used Dawn as a de-petroleum
mix one to ten solution
Surface rust use a small wire brush on a drill.
For outstanding results
1 Disassemble carb
2 Scrape gaskets off
3 degreaser
4 rinse
5 Blow dry
4 very small glass beads when blasting
5 rinse
6 acid dipping
7 rinse w pressure washer if available
8 blow dry
9 in the oven @ 200 for 15 min
10 spray Eastwood gold colored cadmium coating the pieces 1 coat every two hours 3 total coats
11 let dry for 24 hrs then one final coat
12 Reassemble

Even if you don’t bead blast or pressure wash you will be ok.
Rust, I have found that rust remover will sometimes cause a change in color. Test it by putting it on an inconspicuous
spot first.
I know this sounds obsessive but even a tiny speck can jam the needle/seat or a small air/fuel hole.
 
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The old Berryman B12 used to work better than that.

The the EPA came along and spoiled the fun.
 
I hope you don't have small children or pets. You need to be really careful with that stuff.
 
I hope you don't have small children or pets. You need to be really careful with that stuff.
Yes I learned early I got into the chemical room in chemistry in HS
I was wrapping up a piece of sodium, which is stored in kerosene, the teacher came in to piss, I threw it in the John and it blew it to pieces, all that was left was a hole in the floor. I got blamed for it but there was no proof the sodium was vaporized. But I had done other pranks and n him including super gluing his hot coffee down, he burned himself, and they day of a big exam I needed to create a diversion as I hadn’t studied fir ****.
I put super glue in the keyhole in the door handle, his key immediately was not removable. No exam.
Vert similar to where I was to take a Latin test and somehow the paper in the garbage can erupted into fire.
I have or had a great affinity for falling into a deep vat if **** and coming out smelling like a rose.
I’m sure I’ve exhausted 8 of my nine lives.
 
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