What's the Best Way to Remove Factory Mixture Screw Plugs?

[davis95]

I guess this is one of the downsides to getting a virgin carb. Anyway, what's the best way to get these out without destroying anything? Thanks, Doug.

[omaha]

I was thinking about this a while back. I guess the way the GM mechanics did it was to use a hacksaw
and small screwdriver etc. I agree, it looks kinda ugly. I was wondering if you could do something similar as removing the idle tubes in the book. Drill a hole (.100?) and then screw in a drywall screw. Then, using a propane torch, heat up the area real good. Then, carefully pry them out with a set of wire cutters. Not sure of the press fit in the aluminum base plate but i'm sure they are in there pretty good.  I think just drilling them out could possibly work but maybe not due to the possible interference with the idle screw itself. Maybe a combination of drilling and heating and tapping/threading and pulling. Just ideas.
Dont know for sure as I have never seen these plugs actually installed.

[Cliff Ruggles]

The caps over the mixture screws on later units are too hard to drill out effectively.  I use an angle grinder, slots both sides, then drive down and out with a sharp punch, takes seconds.....Cliff

[Schurkey]

I cut 'em out using a cutting disc in a Dremel.  Carve a 'V" into the aluminum under the plug, break out the aluminum and drive the plug out.  Makes the base plate ugly; but doesn't affect function.

Far as I knew, the actual caps were hardened to PREVENT drilling them.  Haven't seen one in awhile...

[schwoch1]

I cut 'em out using a cutting disc in a Dremel.  Carve a 'V" into the aluminum under the plug, break out the aluminum and drive the plug out.  Makes the base plate ugly; but doesn't affect function.

Far as I knew, the actual caps were hardened to PREVENT drilling them.  Haven't seen one in awhile...

I always used to take the carb off, put a gob of weld on the idle cap and then pull the cap off with a pair of wirecutters. Takes a little effort sometimes, but it looks way cleaner than the hacksaw method, not that anyone ever looked....

Mike

[71vette]

I just went through this on a 1979 carb plate.  You cannot drill out the plugs (ask me how I know) at least with the drill bits that I have.  The plugs are hardened steel and the only thing my drill did was to leave a small shiny mark on them.  So the idea of drilling a hole and inserting a screw and pulling them out doesn't work.  So, I took a hacksaw blade and sort of cut a v notch on the bottom of the base plate where the plugs are.  Sort of chisel off the v portion of the base plate and then drive a sharp awl or similar into the plug and try to knock it out with a hammer etc.  You must use a lot of patience so that you don't crack the base plate.  I eventually got both plugs out and then I used small rotary sander to clean up the area where I used the hacksaw blade.  I'm sure there are different ways of getting the plugs out but I was able to do it this way.

[slowpoke]

the ones i tried to get out were so hard i could not drill them with a cobalt bit. I had to drill into the aluminum and take a punch and chisel and keep pecking out until they broke out. they are extremely hard.

[omaha]

 I may just try that "weld a gob on it method" I had never heard of that but I am goin to try it.
You know what would be great would be one of those stud welder machines like they use in body shops.