2 screws into mercarb rebuild and stuck -- stripped screw

[sickwilly]

I am two screws in and have messed up. I stripped the screws holding the choke housing. I have craftsman screwdrivers and dewalt tips for my other screw driver. Tip sure seemed to fit good, but the screw metal gave away before the screw turned.

Not a good omen for my first rebuild.

Now I guess I have 2 options:

Cut my looses and order a rebuilt online.

Drill it out and hope to find a similar size screw to replace it with.

Any advice would sure be appreciated.

 

[kelscrusader]

Re: 2 screws into mercarb rebuild and stuck -- stripped screw

Get a screw extractor set. Should be able to get them right out.

 

[excalibur1031]

Re: 2 screws into mercarb rebuild and stuck -- stripped screw

A good tool for removing stubborn screws is an impact driver. It uses the strike force of a hammer to create a high torque motion combined with an impact to release the torque on a screw. You just have to be careful using it in order to keep from damaging parts. As far as the extraction, Grab-it screw extractors work like a charm. I believe Sears makes a set exactly like it. Finding a replacement screw is easy just bring one into an ACE hardware store or specialty fastner store and they can match one up to fit your needs!

 

[sickwilly]

Re: 2 screws into mercarb rebuild and stuck -- stripped screw

OK, thanks, I got it out. I will have to get a replacement screw tomorrow. Rebuild back on track.

Right now I have parts soaking in carb cleaner. The carb cleaner dip says to rinse with water. I guess I will follow directions.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 2 screws into mercarb rebuild and stuck -- stripped screw

Forget the impact driver. You are dealing with a carburetor which requires a little gentler technique unless you want to buy a new carb. Those are fairly small screws so unless you hit them dead center, drilling will most likely end up off-center. While you may get the screw out you may have a buggered up hole anyway. No simple solutions here.

 

[smarks]

Re: 2 screws into mercarb rebuild and stuck -- stripped screw

So tell us, how did you get the screw out. Don't leave me hangin

Steve

 

[MahtyMaht]

Re: 2 screws into mercarb rebuild and stuck -- stripped screw

I like the hand Impact, but on small screws in pot metal, a feel is required - If you haven't torqued and trashed some of these things to death before, then your hands don't know when to quit. Me - I never saw a screw extractor that consistently worked before. Ever. I like to cut right to the chase. I let the phillips slots center the TAP drill. You'll feel it when the drill drops thru the end of the dead screw. Then I run a tap in there, and clean up the screw's threads. Longest way round is the surest way home. I never lose with this. Glad you got yours out.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: 2 screws into mercarb rebuild and stuck -- stripped screw

I drilled a pilot hole and used a screw extractor in my drill. Once the initial hold was broken, the screws came out super easily.

I guess its a matter of the right tool, but I don't understand why those screws, which just hold the choke housing on, were torqued in there so strongly. Both are ruined.

I am off to Ace hardware today to try to find a suitable screw.

 

[6meter]

Re: 2 screws into mercarb rebuild and stuck -- stripped screw

OK, thanks, I got it out. I will have to get a replacement screw tomorrow. Rebuild back on track.

Right now I have parts soaking in carb cleaner. The carb cleaner dip says to rinse with water. I guess I will follow directions.

Wash everything with water then blow dry everything with an air compressor. Be sure all the little holes get blown out.