Author Topic: idle tubes  (Read 2345 times)

Offline horsepowerfreek

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idle tubes
« on: January 29, 2012, 08:45:38 AM »
Having never removed idle tubes before are they hard to remove?
What would i do if i enlaged the casting any when the idle tube collar sits? :-[

Offline 429bbf

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Re: idle tubes
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2012, 09:25:28 AM »
its easy.take a .090 punch and drive the tube down .no more than 1/8 inch.then i take a sheet rock screw and grind a small part of the tip off.screw it in put something across the top of the carb so you dont scratch it use a side cutters and pull them out.if the outer collar goes down when you tap the tube down you may have to drill them out.take a drill same size as punch.drill down about 3/16 and use the screw again. if you wreck them cliff sells new for about 8.00 plus shipping plus if you ask he will predrill the size for you. also he sells screw in tubes but you have to tap your housing.ps. hope this helps .if they are really stuck you may have to heat the housing a little.be careful.dean

Offline horsepowerfreek

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Re: idle tubes
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2012, 09:39:03 AM »
Thanks I think i will go the screw in route.
Have a few have Q-jets laying around and a 14 year old son wanting to learn so I think I will teach him. I think reading Cliffs book will be a good start for him.
Have Cliffs book and it is very helpful.
Have built a lot of Q-jets and always thought blowing out with compressed aid would dislodge any dirt.
Thank you for your help
Randy

Offline cobalt327

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  • Posts: 27
Re: idle tubes
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2012, 11:33:04 PM »
I always just go ahead and use a small pencil type butane "torch" to warm the exposed area adjacent to the tubes instead of pulling them cold. 10-12 seconds is all it takes. A good cigar lighter could work well for this- you don't want nor need a big amount of flame/heat. This makes it VERY easy to pull them.

Side cutters work excellent- I use a 2" long x 1" wide x 3/16" thick strip of wood (made from a piece of wood paneling but could be most anything) across the carb body to protect it as well as making it easier to lever the screw/tube out. The strip- when positioned fairly close to the screw extending up from the tube- helps removal by letting the tips of the cutters reach downward from horizontal to grip the screw, then when levering the tubes out the cutters have enough room to remove them before the handles and your hand touch down if you follow.