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General Category => Maintenance => Topic started by: tdm34 on May 05, 2021, 08:47:38 AM

Title: Removing float pivots
Post by: tdm34 on May 05, 2021, 08:47:38 AM
Hi All, me again asking silly questions.....

What's the best and safest way to remove the float pivot pins, I've tried all the usual stuff but they seem to be properly stuck, I've used as much force as I feel comfortable with, so over to you guys, what am I doing wrong?

Regards
Rob
Title: Re: Removing float pivots
Post by: Waiex191 on May 05, 2021, 09:16:07 AM
Good to ask before you break them like many of us!  I made a little tool out of 1/8" mild steel.  It was pretty easy to make with a hacksaw and file.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/6694_23_06_20_9_05_59_2.jpeg)

The tool clamps in a vise.  You hold the carb aligned with the tool.  There is a little hole on the end and I think that is a #40 drill bit.  The hole on the end lets you place the drill bit, or your punch of choice, and then reach over to pick up the hammer.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/6694_23_06_20_9_06_00_3.jpeg)

I also flipped it upside down and used the tool to put the pins back in.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/6694_25_06_20_10_40_49_2.jpeg)
Title: Re: Removing float pivots
Post by: red on May 05, 2021, 09:51:09 AM
Waiex191,

Could we see some better pix of the DIY tool, just laid out on a flat surface?  I may be missing something there.
I would definitely use the correct drive punch, nothing else, to drive the pins.
Title: Re: Removing float pivots
Post by: Waiex191 on May 05, 2021, 09:57:59 AM
Quote from: red on May 05, 2021, 09:51:09 AM
Waiex191,

Could we see some better pix of the DIY tool, just laid out on a flat surface?  I may be missing something there.
I would definitely use the correct drive punch, nothing else, to drive the pins.
Red,
You bet, I'll hunt it down next time I'm at the hangar and I also remember to look.

I found a #40 drill bit is the perfect size to duplicate the skinny part of the float pin.  It was also handy for adjusting the floats as the #40 was easy to remove and replace.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/6694_25_06_20_10_40_49_1.jpeg)
Title: Re: Removing float pivots
Post by: RPM - Robert on May 05, 2021, 11:09:46 AM
Quote from: tdm34 on May 05, 2021, 08:47:38 AM
Hi All, me again asking silly questions.....

What's the best and safest way to remove the float pivot pins, I've tried all the usual stuff but they seem to be properly stuck, I've used as much force as I feel comfortable with, so over to you guys, what am I doing wrong?

Regards
Rob

Safest. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6-in-Automatic-Center-Punch-70079H/302880581 (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6-in-Automatic-Center-Punch-70079H/302880581) Pretty easy too, one or two clicks and they are out. I blunt the end of mine a tad bit but they will work straight out of the box too.
Title: Re: Removing float pivots
Post by: Old Rider on May 05, 2021, 12:20:29 PM
The tool Waiex191 has made is excellent . Usually if the pin is stuck you can heat the 2 studs carefully not melting the float with a mini torch like a gaslighter or a soldering iron.
You can also use  pliers on the end of the pin and twist it. When replacing the pin you don't need to hammer it fully back in it will not fall out that will make it easier to get out next time
with a pliers.
Title: Re: Removing float pivots
Post by: Waiex191 on May 05, 2021, 12:26:05 PM
Quote from: RPM - Robert on May 05, 2021, 11:09:46 AM

Safest. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6-in-Automatic-Center-Punch-70079H/302880581 (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6-in-Automatic-Center-Punch-70079H/302880581) Pretty easy too, one or two clicks and they are out. I blunt the end of mine a tad bit but they will work straight out of the box too.

I would have been happy to try that - although mine were pretty stuck from sitting 16 years!
Title: Re: Removing float pivots
Post by: RPM - Robert on May 05, 2021, 12:36:44 PM
I have cleaned some of the filthiest, gummed up, nasty carburetors you would never even think to see. They come out every time with that punch.

One of the 12 sets I am currently building. Completely gummed up float, float needles completely stuck. First pop with the punch comes right out.
Title: Re: Removing float pivots
Post by: Waiex191 on May 05, 2021, 12:53:16 PM
Those look sweet. Here was mine:
(http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=19343.0;attach=15154)

I will definitely try the center punch though.
Title: Re: Removing float pivots
Post by: tdm34 on May 05, 2021, 01:04:14 PM
Just been out to home depot and picked up one of the Husky spring loaded center punches, and it works like a charm, for $15 everyone should have one in their toolboxes

Thanks to the FJ massive once again
Title: Re: Removing float pivots
Post by: RPM - Robert on May 05, 2021, 01:20:25 PM
Quote from: Waiex191 on May 05, 2021, 12:53:16 PM
Those look sweet. Here was mine:

I will definitely try the center punch though.

Been there, cleaned the likes of. These were just the dirtiest of the 12 I have currently. Building a few hundred sets a year; you get to see a lot of neat and Kustom fixes.

This set, the guy couldn't figure out why it kept flooding over. He had his "mechanic" rebuild them several times, to no avail. Told him to give his mechanic a hint and let him know there is a groove on the needle seat. Not to mention the damaged seat itself. If I recall the float needle was also sticking but these were a while back.

Anyways, the main point of this thread was to tell him the easiest and safest way to get the float pins out with out braking them. The tool I linked has never not worked, and never broke a post off on any of the Fj carburetors I have built.

Edit: He got the tool already and popped right out.
Title: Re: Removing float pivots
Post by: X-Ray on May 07, 2021, 07:50:18 AM
Another vote for the spring loaded centre punch, although I did back off on the spring preload a bit to make it less force needed to make it go *click*
Title: Re: Removing float pivots
Post by: FJmonkey on May 07, 2021, 04:28:21 PM
A sharp blow with little/light force is all that is needed to free the pin.
Title: Re: Removing float pivots
Post by: Sparky84 on May 07, 2021, 06:13:08 PM
Quote from: FJmonkey on May 07, 2021, 04:28:21 PM
A sharp blow with little/light force is all that is needed to free the pin.
Totally agree, I've only ever used a small flat blade screwdriver and used the handle of another to tap them out.

Title: Re: Removing float pivots
Post by: giantkiller on May 07, 2021, 08:06:53 PM
Quote from: RPM - Robert on May 05, 2021, 11:09:46 AM
Quote from: tdm34 on May 05, 2021, 08:47:38 AM
Hi All, me again asking silly questions.....

What's the best and safest way to remove the float pivot pins, I've tried all the usual stuff but they seem to be properly stuck, I've used as much force as I feel comfortable with, so over to you guys, what am I doing wrong?

Regards
Rob

Safest. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6-in-Automatic-Center-Punch-70079H/302880581 (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6-in-Automatic-Center-Punch-70079H/302880581) Pretty easy too, one or two clicks and they are out. I blunt the end of mine a tad bit but they will work straight out of the box too.

Thanks Robert I have a few of these. Always use them before hand drilling anything metal. Never thought of using them for that.
Title: Re: Removing float pivots
Post by: Waiex191 on May 07, 2021, 10:26:54 PM
I have 3 or 4!  Had I only known...