MTFCA Forum

I'm going to attempt to rebuild a couple NH carbs. Just about like everything else, I understand the carb cleaning solution isn't as good as it used to be. What are you guys using?

Most carb cleaners no longer clean like they used to. I use lacquer thinner now. I use brake parts cleaner as a spray cleaner too.

I believe the active ingredient of the old carb cleaners was Xylene. You can get xylene by the quart or gallon at Lowe’s to soak your carb in if you choose. Jim Patrick

FWIW...a new guy to the hobby that I have been helping, I had him soak his NH in a can of lacquer thinner overnight. The car started right up and ran great. I did this on another one years ago and same results. So much for all this drilling, pipe cleaner reaming etc. This stuff works! JMHO

And this goes without saying but be sure to blow out as best you can the small passages with air. If you have a mall stiff wire you can use that too to run in the small holes.

I used mineral spirits to soak the carb in and later used lacquer thinner. It seemed to do a good job. I used what I had already in the shop.

When blowing out the ports with air, or cleaning them out with a spray cleaner, use eye protection. Sometimes the port can make a U-turn and point right back at you. Jim Patrick