How to Replace a Carburetor

No matter how involved replacing a carburetor looks, the process is in fact very simple. If you have even the most basic of automotive repair skills, don't waste your time or money putting it in a shop. You can do just as good a job by following these steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Propane torch
• Socket and wrenches
• Gasket sealer

Take Off the Old Carburetor

1. Remove the hoses and fuel lines to the old carburetor. As you remove them, put a tag on each line so you can put them back into the right place.

2. Remove the nuts that hold the carburetor to the intake manifold. Take the carburetor off.

3. Take the old carburetor and match it to the new. You might have to take some parts from the old and replace some parts on the new because not all carburetors are the same. Many different models use the same carburetors. It should be no problem to set up the new carburetor to match the old.

Install the New Carburetor

4. Clean the area where you will mount the new carburetor. Scrape off all dirt and gasket material and, using a strong solvent, clean the area. You don't want the carburetor sucking air because of an imperfect seal.

5. Place the new gasket in place. The gasket should have a light coating of gasket sealer on each side.

6. Once the new carburetor is in places, tighten the carburetor onto the intake manifold by tightening the nuts a little bit, rotating the ones you tighten. Don't tighten one and then go for another. You want the pressure to be uniform so that you don't warp the seal.

7. Connect all the gas lines and vacuum tubes. When you are through, remove all tools from the top of the engine.

8. Prime the carburetor with a small amount of gas. Start the engine. The engine should start, even though you might have to prime it more than once to give the gas pump time to get the gas to the carburetor.

9. Check for vacuum leaks leaks by ear first. If you have an inaudible leak, take a Bernz-o-matic and, without lighting it, turn it on and slowly travel the length of the vacuum hoses. If the car idles high when you pass over a spot, there's a leak there and the car is sucking in propane, which increases the idle.

10. Get the engine running smoothly, and then check for gas leaks on the fittings. Tighten them if they are leaking. If they continue to leak, replace the gaskets.

11. Put the air cleaner on and close the hood. Take a test drive. If it hesitates or has no power, fiddle with the screws that control the gas intake on the body of the carburetor. Turn them lightly because they are pre-set at the factory. If just a little turning one way and then the other doesn't help, bring it to an auto tech for adjustment.

Tips & Warnings

• Comparing the two carburetor is most important. If the carburetor you bought is much different than the one you're replacing, bring it back. The auto parts stores make mistakes on carburetor all the time. The one you are putting in should look like the one you are taking out except for a few connection spots.
• Clear away all leaking gas when removing the carburetor. You don't want puddles of gasoline on the intake manifold. It's a fire hazard.

Resources

• Find a new carburetor at Auto Parts Warehouse.