1948 EL basket case resto
#542
Its a poor design. Its similar to a compression fitting on a steel line. The manifold is a straight tube with the sealing ring slid over it, the large nut has a taper inside it and the edge of the sealing ring has a mating taper facing the nut. Where they dropped the ball is the sealing ring has a flat edge on it that butts up to the flat edge on the cylinder head threaded nipple. You tighten the nut and the ring gets pushed against the flat face of the threaded nipple and the taper on the other end squeezes the ring around the manifold. They call it a plumbers manifold which they got away from I think in 55, my 54 still has it my 59 does not. They went to the shovelhead o-ring manifold. Really stupid design and there are kits to convert it to the o-rind style but visually incorrect so Im stuck with this.
The following 3 users liked this post by hellonewman:
#545
Its a poor design. Its similar to a compression fitting on a steel line. The manifold is a straight tube with the sealing ring slid over it, the large nut has a taper inside it and the edge of the sealing ring has a mating taper facing the nut. Where they dropped the ball is the sealing ring has a flat edge on it that butts up to the flat edge on the cylinder head threaded nipple. You tighten the nut and the ring gets pushed against the flat face of the threaded nipple and the taper on the other end squeezes the ring around the manifold. They call it a plumbers manifold which they got away from I think in 55, my 54 still has it my 59 does not. They went to the shovelhead o-ring manifold. Really stupid design and there are kits to convert it to the o-rind style but visually incorrect so Im stuck with this.
The following users liked this post:
hellonewman (03-08-2023)
#546
Easy carb to restore but the rebuild kit makes things more difficult. The needle had a viton tip that didn't really seal so I put a used all metal needle in - fixed. The float pivot shaft in the kit pinches the float arm so the float sticks - I put a used one in and it worked perfectly. I didn't use the butterfly plate screws from the kit either.
Throttle shaft is nice and snug but smooth. Float height set and finished it up. Need to put the right tank on to set the throttle cable length next.
Throttle shaft is nice and snug but smooth. Float height set and finished it up. Need to put the right tank on to set the throttle cable length next.
The following 2 users liked this post by hellonewman:
Architect (03-13-2023),
HarleyHappy (03-16-2023)
#547
Forgot to mention the intake leak repair. I pulled the manifold back off and removed the front threaded nipple. When I did the engine I replaced the rear nipple because it had been reused and had an additional locating hole drilled through it. Based on the amount of sealer used on the rear one I concluded the front one could remain but what I didn't do was pay close enough attention to the sealing surface and I overlooked the importance of the surface finish. So I removed it and replaced it with a new one, let it sit a few days to cure then pressure tested it today. No bubbles.
I ran the intake flange on a flat surface of sand paper to make it flat as well.
The tool I bought was too long to fit with the head installed so I shortened it. Then like a dummy 10 minutes later I picked up that cut off part and eliminated my finger prints on 3 fingers before dropping it and sticking my had in the snowbank like Joe Pesci on Home Alone.
The old one out without too much drama.
I ran the intake flange on a flat surface of sand paper to make it flat as well.
The tool I bought was too long to fit with the head installed so I shortened it. Then like a dummy 10 minutes later I picked up that cut off part and eliminated my finger prints on 3 fingers before dropping it and sticking my had in the snowbank like Joe Pesci on Home Alone.
The old one out without too much drama.
The following 2 users liked this post by hellonewman:
Architect (03-13-2023),
HarleyHappy (03-16-2023)
#548
Been there, done that! Did they turn white? THAT hurts! Literally had to pull my fingers apart. OUCH!
#549
#550
The following 2 users liked this post by hellonewman:
Architect (03-13-2023),
HarleyHappy (03-16-2023)