Swindled

[Thaddeus Kosciuszko]

Today into tomorrow we're supposed to get about 10 inches of snow.  We got swindled because Buffalo about seven feet; not fair at all.

 

On the brighter side I did get the snowblower repaired.  A fuel fitting snapped off at the end of last year and I finally managed to get a replacement part. A bit surprising as the motor is 25 years old.

 

At first glance it looked like the wrong part, but then I realized the old part had broken in half, leaving half still in the carburetor.  Looking at the new part I then realized I had to press-fit it into the carb - it wasn't bolted or threaded.  Essentially the parts are squeezed or compressed together so tightly that friction holds them in place.

 

Meaning I was in trouble, because press-fit parts usually require (duh) some sort of hydraulic or mechanical press to assemble the parts.  And I don't own one.  Hammering it into place was not an option as part of the fitting was made of plastic clearly not intended for that sort of abuse.

 

Noticing a flat spot on the opposite side of the carb, I grabbed a C-clamp from the tool box.  By gradually tightening the clamp I pressed the fitting in place without shattering the plastic.  Even better, after all this the snowblower started up and ran.

 

And there you have today's thrilling report on carburetor repair.

[Gump]

10 inches..that's it? I wouldn't bother to brush the car off for a measly 10 inches.....

[KrAzY]

Glad it worked out for you.. I hate it when you don't have the right tools for the job.
This is also a reason i own everything from a 1 pound hammer all the way up too a 30 pound sledge hammer.. The right tool for the right job :)

[Thaddeus Kosciuszko]

10 inches..that's it? I wouldn't bother to brush the car off for a measly 10 inches.....

 

[Gump]

Looks familiar.

[Stuck]

B

Been there done that :)

[BR46]

Glad it worked out for you.. I hate it when you don't have the right tools for the job.
This is also a reason i own everything from a 1 pound hammer all the way up too a 30 pound sledge hammer.. The right tool for the right job

A 30 pound hammer that will get snow and ice off your windshield.

[Airehead]

Mr. Aire liked your story.

[KrAzY]

A 30 pound hammer that will get snow and ice off your windshield.

your right... I should run out and get a 50 pound hammer if I can find one in a hurry. 

[Thaddeus Kosciuszko]

Mr. Aire liked your story.

 

 

Good to see on the Forum, Airehead!  Please pass along my compliments to Mr. Aire!

[Parr8hed]

C clamps are wonderful little inventions. 

[Longjohn ★]

My snowblower is at least that old.  The carburetor went bad on it from sitting in storage for years after the original owner bought himself a snowblower for on his tractor.  I took it into the repair shop down the road from me and they ordered a new one, they were a bit surprised that they were still available. 

[Parr8hed]

I had an XS1100.  It was given to me in boxes.  I had to restore it.  4 carbs.  Had to pull them, take them completely apart and clean them, re-jet them and put them all back together.  There was no youtube back then, but a very comprehensive step-by-step on the net complete with pics.  It was very helpful.  Got that old 4 cylinder purring like a kitten.

[Ralphie ★]

I cleaned up a Lawn Boy two stroke mower where the carb was all gunked up.  That was satisfying.  And I had to clean lots of carbon build up off the exhaust ports too.  I loved rebuilding old Briggs and Stratton lawnmowers when I was a kid.   But I am totally in favour of fuel injection now.