Cleaning Wires

Roadster Rich

Roadster Rich

Senior Member
Rebuilding a Zenith and a Tillotson carb and wonder where to buy the right size cleaning wires to verify the clear openings?

I have a set that looks like an allen wrench folding set. The sizes are from 0.3 to 1.6 mm so the conversion does not exactly line up with some of the sizes I need.

Is there a place to buy these that is common and local or are they specialized and must be ordered?

I have soaked them in carburetor cleaner and verified all are open by blowing through with a straw as was suggested on this site. But I don't know how important it is to check for exact size with cleaning wires.
 
Better quality welding supply stores will have torch tip cleaners. Those in conjunction with letter & numbered drill bits work well.
 
I too use torch tip cleaners, drill bits and even tag wire to fish around in the little passages after soaking. I also use DeepCreep or choke cleaner to spray in the holes before using air to clean/dry everything out.
 
Thanks, DUH, I never thought about getting the drills, just thought I needed wire since that is what instructions say. Sometimes the obvious has to hit me in the head before I think of it.
 
The downside to using drills is that they have a sharp edge and can damage the orifice when using them to clean. The welding torch tip cleaners do not have the really sharp edges and are designed for cleaning without damage.
 
Sorry Guys , as usual I'm being perverse...I never use any wire on the jet orifices . I know Paul Moller's book advises it ( and I wish it didn't!). It is far better to blow compressed air through the jets to ensure they are clear. Use of wire will enlarge the orifice no matter how careful you are . Wire ( a bit thinner than a paper clip} is useful in cleaning out the fuel passages in the carb body but not on the jets please. PS I don't believe you can verify the jet diameter size by using a wire guage .. you really need to flow test them to be sure.
 
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