idle tubes

[dlong70elcamino]

Well just pulled out my first pair of idle tubes that was not fun one came out easy the other did not.Even with heat the second one was stuck had to knock the tube all the way down to get collar out. Carb is ok but smashed the tube end. I,m gonna get two new tubes but it would be nice to be able to drill those out without pulling them.I got the good tube collar slid back down on the tube but that wasn't fun ether Cliffs book does not tell you how to do that.I used a piece of pine and put the small end of the tube on the wood and tapped the collar down with a hammer it worked pretty well but made me nervous I was going to bend the tube or smash it. Anyone got any ideas or comments id like to here from ya.  Dan

[Cliff Ruggles]

To install old collars back on the tubes simply clamp the tube in a soft jawed vise and leave just enough exposed to tap the collar back in place, they aren't fussy......Cliff

[dlong70elcamino]

Thanks Cliff those tubes must be tougher than I think.

[dlong70elcamino]

Hey Cliff this is not related to the tubes but I got a 17058213  bjb  1638 carb that is cast it was built by carter are those any good?Its a single main bleed off a 350 chev truck. Im thinking about building this one for the Elcamino.

[omaha]

 I got a couple of the carter units too. They seem to be the same quality. I've looked at them quite close. Maybe the metallurgy is different but not sure.

[Cliff Ruggles]

Those are excellent carburetors, and we use a lot of them to replace earlier Chevy divorced choke carburetors.  The SMAB design is more efficient than the large MAB design used on the 1970 thru 1976 divorced choke units.....Cliff

[dlong70elcamino]

Thanks Cliff that carb is really warped in the ft from hold down bolts too tight. I seen somewhere that you can put it on a flat surface and tap it down flat with a hammer i,m thinking it should be heated first. Any advice? thanks.....Dan

[Cliff Ruggles]

Never heard of that type of repair and wouldn't advise it.

In most cases the front of the airhorn can be sanded flat and it will re-conform to the main casting.

We do have one of those unwarping fixtures, but seldom use it.....Cliff

[dlong70elcamino]

Cliff it also has a crack where the secondary air valve shaft goes through I just noticed it today looking at it.It,s in the middle on the outside of the carb.I,ll bring it with me when i come down to your shop. I got two of the SMAB carbs gonna build the best of the two......Dan