VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Brass plug removal from Carburetor

Need help in how to remove brass plug from Carter carburetor. Cannot unscrew without damaging plug.

Concave grind a large screwdriver to fit snug. Should come right out.

Having the screwdriver blade exactly fit the screw slot is necessary. Also have a sharp bladed screwdriver. Those tapered, rounded ones destroy screw slots. I have found it necessary to twist the screwdriver counter-clockwise and then clockwise numerous times before releases and backs out.

After grinding a concave end on a screwdriver I was able to remove one screw, But since the screwdriver was tapered it still damaged the slots on the others. I wished I had seen the note on using the sharp bladed screwdriver earlier.
However I was able to remove the other screws by drilling a shallow hole and using a screw extractor. The screws are still usable can can be tightened with the extractor or screwdriver. Thanks for the help.
In the meantime I am waiting for a Carb repair kit to arrive..

If you are working with brass plugs in cast iron:

First get ALL of the springs and zinc alloy away from the casting.
Then place the cast iron casting in a toaster oven (electric) and heat as hot as you can
Then remove the casting, and spot heat the area AROUND the plug until cherry-red.
ALLOW TO COOL NATURALLY - DO NOT QUENCH IN WATER!
Generally, at this point the plugs may be removed with zero damage, often with your thumb-nail.

This also works for steel screws; just make certain you have previously removed ALL springs and zinc alloy parts.

Jon.