Posted by Henry Jacobs on January 30, 1999 at 15:49:49:
In Reply to: Won't start - part 3 posted by Alan on January 30, 1999 at 15:29:51:
A-ha! Now we're getting somewhere! Sounds like you have some scum in the carb jets or something. It's probably easiest to just rebuild the thing if you have time. Get yourself a carb kit from VPW or someplace, M-37 parts are usually pretty easy to find because the government ordered lots of spares.
The kit will come with lots of little parts and gaskets. Don't panic. What you do is first take the carb completely apart. Take your time and make drawings and notes if you need to. Work in a well-lighted place and make sure the floor under you is clean so you can find things that you drop on it. Kepp all the little little parts in a safe place so the cats don't get them. Now get a 1 gal can or carb and parts cleaner with a basket inside (any auto parts store). Put the big parts into the basket an soak them in the cleaner for however long it says. Then remove them and wash them off with warm water then blast out the holes and passages with compressed air (canned air if you don't have a compressor).
Next, compare the new little parts and gaskets to the old little parts and gaskets and swap out the ones that match. You may not use everything that came in the kit, that's ok. Now put the carb back together. Take your time and don't force anything. There may be plugs you have to remove to get the some components and replacement plugs in the kit. Set those plugs with a hammer and punch. Pay close attention to the way the needle valve and float work together, make sure the float closes the needle valave as it rises. You may need to bend a tab on the float to set the fuel level. And don't overtighten the screws, the carb body is only aluminum and the threads will strip out with suprising ease.
These carbs are not that complicated so the job is pretty straightforward. For a really good time, try a Quadrajet!
HLJ