Screwdrivers for carburetor rebuilding?

montanafordman

montanafordman

Well-known member
I have a tool question for you carb rebuilding gurus. Does anyone have a good source or recommendation for good screwdriver(s) for rebuilding carbs? My standard slotted screwdrivers just don't fit the way I'd like them to because the blade is often too wide or too narrow. For instance, many slotted screwdrivers taper from the widest part down to the actual blade tip which makes getting an ideal engagement of the needle seat (when applicable) tough because the "shoulders" of the blade are wider than the tip and don't fit down the shaft hole very well for access unless you get a smaller size, which sometimes is too small. I would also like to find some screwdrivers that would fit the Comp jet, main jet, and secondary well really well to avoid any damage to the brass. Hollow ground slotted tips would be ideal.

I'm curious if anyone has found a brand / style / source that works well rather than grinding some blades to fit the way I want them to. Thanks!
 
Pick up a bunch at a garage sale to regrind (you want old ones - not cheap new ones) or take a look at some of the gunsmithing screwdrivers - they are designed not to slip.
 
I found some old screwdrivers at swap meets that fit. I was also going to suggest you find the Snap On tool truck and buy from him, but Vince did even better and gave you all the parts numbers.
 
Snap on makes great stuff if you can afford it.
Get a set at a yard sale or HF and grind'em down and keep on truckin. A carb will come along that a store-bought set won't fit anyway and you'll still end up grinding one down (we work on all makes/models here).
You are on the right track, tho, the blade has to fit really well else you'll chew the slot all to hell and then the carb is ruined.

We grind/weld/machine specialized tools here all the time.
A guy saw me grinding down the outside of a socket so it would fit in a very confined space. He declares, "well you just ruined that socket"
Ummm no I just made a special tool, got the job done, and for 2.50 I can replace the socket. Really?
 
Some may think Snap - on tools are over priced . I did it for a living , had to have the best .

I bought a set of 5 flat blades and 5 Phillips back in 1973 and the were high priced .

I still have all of them most have had the blades replaced many times and some have new handles .

All replaced free of charge , so unless you lose them , they last you a lifetime .

Buy good screwdrivers one time and be done with it .
 
I forgot the most important thing . A snap-on has a place on the shank for a boxed end wrench that will give you the leverage needed for stubborn screws .

I don't quite have the grip in my hands and my warranty has run out .
 
ok
heres my 2cents worth
dont buy junky yardsale screwdrivers
dont buy harbour freight ones
you need one that will stand up to a lot of pressure
they must fit the slot
too skinny and it will ruin the slot
gun smiths ones are really great $$$
snap on can be found at yard sales and are great

but this is what i use
a stubby Craftsman
it has a large handle close to the end ,and you can put a small wrench on it for better leverage
grind the sides down to fit in the openings without damaging the threads
i have removed over 100 secondary wells and bottom jets
sometimes ive had to use heat to get the stubborn wells out
and maybe 4-5 ive had to drill out
also you MUST use a 13/32 box end,preferably a 6 point to remove the GAV nut
NOTHING else will work
look at your nut ,most likely the nut has rounded corners
its a 13/32 nut
do not use open end wrenches,crescents pliers etc
they are hard to find,Bonny,Armstrong,Herbrand, make them
you may get them from mc masters

another tip
for your spare tools on a trip
always use the best you can afford
once i had a hose spring a leak
when i used my yard sale screwdriver it just twisted the tip
same with sockets and wrenches
they just break and bend
 

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Hicktick said:
I bought a set of 5 flat blades and 5 Phillips back in 1973 and the were high priced .

I still have all of them most have had the blades replaced many times and some have new handles .
Click to expand...

That sounds like my Grand Dad's old ax. I've replaced the head a few times and the handle a time or two but it's still Grand Dad's old ax ! :D
 
I buy only snap on tools, but buy them on craigslist for 25% of new price and still get a lifetime warrentee.
 
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