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.
Diluted muratic acid is darn strong. BE careful. I would not use it....And I am fearless!
Yea right!!!
Done it. Turns them dark grey or black. Simple green doesn't react well with aluminum.
I have a big ultrasonic cleaner. It'll fit a Dominator disassembled. Had it a few years now. So far, I've tried everything in it under the sun and it won't clean ****. Pisses me off even postin about it.
Yeah, know you have been wrestling with that one. Have taken a piece of tin foil folded into an "A" and put that into the Ultrasonic Cleaner as a test. If the cleaner is working correctly the tin foil will come out like it has been through a shotgun blast, full of small holes.QUOTE]
I've had 3 ultrasonics now. The 1st was a Xmas present, I wore that one out. #2 was a smaller one as I do alot of small engine (Briggs, Kohler) carbs so I got one "just big enough" for those. That one never worked from new. Then I got a bigger one that will do at least a car 2 barrel, that one works better than any so far. With my original one I had to put half of a BBD air horn in and have the rest hanging out, clean it, flip it and let the machine clean the rest. And 1 section at a time(throttle body, main body, air horn) so a BBD was a 6 step clean out.
Not a Poncho! Say it ain't so! Cooler than a Chevy anyway. lolRRR,
All good down south. Just finished building a 455 Pontiac engine. Maybe starting on a 429 Ford soon.
Do you have a parts basket in your ultrasonic cleaner. The part cannot just be setting on the bottom of the tank it needs to be suspended. Also ultrasonic is not for removing heavy crud. Use a wire brush and solvent for that. Ultrasonic cleaning is great for getting into the tiny small places and getting that last bit of grime off open areas.Well I'm really glad some folks have figured out the ultrasonic cleaner cause I sure as heck haven't.
Yes sir. Affirmative on all that. ...and I've tried everything from plain water to a little Dawn, to purple stuff......you name it. Yes, it makes the solution shimmer, so, although I've not done the tin foil test, I am pretty sure it'll pass. Course I could be wrong. I may get it back out and try it.Do you have a parts basket in your ultrasonic cleaner. The part cannot just be setting on the bottom of the tank it needs to be suspended. Also ultrasonic is not for removing heavy crud. Use a wire brush and solvent for that. Ultrasonic cleaning is great for getting into the tiny small places and getting that last bit of grime off open areas.
Lastly are you sure that ultrasonic machine is functioning? If it is you should see a very slight shimmer in the water. I use a bit of dawn dish soap with warm water in mine and it really cleans. But it is not quick. The parts are in the solution for an hour or two.
Same with Berkebile 2+2, dissolved anything in there, gave Me a chemical burn on My left thigh when it came out of an airbleed & hit the polyester workpants. Chemical reaction anyone? I blotted the spot w/a paper towel & started to soldier on, then it hit, had My pants down before I made it to the back door of the house! Lol! Now, 3-4X the work & time to get the sh*t clean.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.
Being strong just depends on how much you dilute it.....
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!
Same with Berkebile 2+2, dissolved anything in there, gave Me a chemical burn on My left thigh when it came out of an airbleed & hit the polyester workpants. Chemical reaction anyone? I blotted the spot w/a paper towel & started to soldier on, then it hit, had My pants down before I made it to the back door of the house! Lol! Now, 3-4X the work & time to get the sh*t clean.