The Ford Barn

Logan · 10-09-2016, 01:02 PM

I recently bought a stromberg 81 that was "rebuilt". And I ran it on my model a speedster for a little bit until some trash got in the carb. I went to break it down to clean it, and the brass plug at the bottom between the two jet brass plugs, will not break loose. I have pretty much almost mutilated it trying to get it freed up. My question is, has anybody else had this problem, and how did they get it freed up? I'm sure there is some kind of sealant on it or something, because of how stuck it is. The slot for the flat head is pretty much all boogered up now. (Didn't take much to do that with the brass). I'm pretty much at a loss at this point. I don't care to save the plug, as I have extras, I just need it out.

john in illinois · 10-09-2016, 01:36 PM

If it is loctite heat will release it. I have not had this happen on a carburetor, but on a bearing I heat it until it releases.

John

Tim Ayers · 10-09-2016, 01:36 PM

Send it to Charlie NY. I had the same problem and he figured out a fixture on his lathe to get it out. Worked and saved the threads. Price was very reasonable too.

Logan · 10-09-2016, 08:02 PM

Tim: do you have Charlie's contact information

I will try the heat method and see what that does. I dont know why it would be loctite, but i guess it wouldnt hurt to heat whatever it is that is making it stuck.

RalphM · 10-09-2016, 10:51 PM

You can also cut another flat screwdriver slot in the plug 90 degrees from the bugered up one. Demel or die grinder works good for this.

Terry,OH · 10-10-2016, 06:47 AM

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Gently heat the Carb. body around the brass plug with a propane torch, to expand the die casting. Use gloves to hold the body and a screwdriver that just fits the slot. There are screwdriver bits that fit a ratchet wrench, giving you more ability to turn.

Charlie ny · 10-10-2016, 08:20 AM

Logan,
Call or email me any time.......716 440 8952
716 662 9159
[email protected]
The well that the power valve is threaded in to is fragile due to core
shift in many cases. If the well is cracked it's over.
Be patient you will no doubt be successful.
Charlie ny

Bruce Lancaster · 10-10-2016, 03:50 PM

Other stuff...does it have a gasket? If so, pick that out with dental tool. I suspect you have found one that was assembled with some sort of glue, perhaps without gasket, because of a thread problem. If you do go with heat, remember that the melting point of Strombergite is very low and very sudden. You can go from warm to puddle before you know it!
One 81 that's in my basement somewhere has a cast plug apparently driven into the center hole to seal it...I think it is likely an old commercial rebuild given a one-time only fix to avoid scrapping a core!

10-09-2016, 01:02 PM	#1
Logan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 1,055	Can't break it loose: strongerg 81 I recently bought a stromberg 81 that was "rebuilt". And I ran it on my model a speedster for a little bit until some trash got in the carb. I went to break it down to clean it, and the brass plug at the bottom between the two jet brass plugs, will not break loose. I have pretty much almost mutilated it trying to get it freed up. My question is, has anybody else had this problem, and how did they get it freed up? I'm sure there is some kind of sealant on it or something, because of how stuck it is. The slot for the flat head is pretty much all boogered up now. (Didn't take much to do that with the brass). I'm pretty much at a loss at this point. I don't care to save the plug, as I have extras, I just need it out. __________________ Cowtown A's

10-09-2016, 01:36 PM	#2
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,183	Re: Can't break it loose: strongerg 81 If it is loctite heat will release it. I have not had this happen on a carburetor, but on a bearing I heat it until it releases. John

10-09-2016, 01:36 PM	#3
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,177	Re: Can't break it loose: strongerg 81 Send it to Charlie NY. I had the same problem and he figured out a fixture on his lathe to get it out. Worked and saved the threads. Price was very reasonable too.

10-09-2016, 08:02 PM	#4
Logan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 1,055	Re: Can't break it loose: strongerg 81 Tim: do you have Charlie's contact information I will try the heat method and see what that does. I dont know why it would be loctite, but i guess it wouldnt hurt to heat whatever it is that is making it stuck. __________________ Cowtown A's

10-09-2016, 10:51 PM	#5
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,651	Re: Can't break it loose: strongerg 81 You can also cut another flat screwdriver slot in the plug 90 degrees from the bugered up one. Demel or die grinder works good for this.

10-10-2016, 06:47 AM	#6
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,743	Re: Can't break it loose: strongerg 81 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Gently heat the Carb. body around the brass plug with a propane torch, to expand the die casting. Use gloves to hold the body and a screwdriver that just fits the slot. There are screwdriver bits that fit a ratchet wrench, giving you more ability to turn.

10-10-2016, 08:20 AM	#7
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	Re: Can't break it loose: strongerg 81 Logan, Call or email me any time.......716 440 8952 716 662 9159 [email protected] The well that the power valve is threaded in to is fragile due to core shift in many cases. If the well is cracked it's over. Be patient you will no doubt be successful. Charlie ny

10-10-2016, 03:50 PM	#8
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Can't break it loose: strongerg 81 Other stuff...does it have a gasket? If so, pick that out with dental tool. I suspect you have found one that was assembled with some sort of glue, perhaps without gasket, because of a thread problem. If you do go with heat, remember that the melting point of Strombergite is very low and very sudden. You can go from warm to puddle before you know it! One 81 that's in my basement somewhere has a cast plug apparently driven into the center hole to seal it...I think it is likely an old commercial rebuild given a one-time only fix to avoid scrapping a core! Last edited by Bruce Lancaster; 10-10-2016 at 06:42 PM.