Tillotson question

james hitchcock

james hitchcock

Well-known member
In my rebuild kit (Tillotson X) the package that has the seat and needle shut off for the float has a tag that says "stake before installation". What does stake mean ?
Probably sounds silly to most of you, just haven't heard that before.
James.
 
Staking usually refers to taking the surrounding metal and deforming it to hold a part or setting in place. Like with a center punch or chisel.
 
If the needle is all metal (steel) drop it in the threaded brass seat and tap it lightly a few times with a small hammer on the end the float pushes against. This will 'stake' or deform the edge of the brass seat slightly to an exact match of the steel needle.

A shiny needle with a staked seat is drip-free and easily passes fine dirt. Personally, I like to spin the needle in a drill, dress it smooth with crocus or 1000 paper, and run it against a buffing wheel FIRST. The needle point needs to be exactly on-center with its periphery. If your needle body is four sided, don't hold it in a three-jaw chuck!

If the needle is viton-tipped, skip the staking, you will cut the elastomer and ruin the needle. With a viton needle, sharpen a wood dowel to the same angle as the needle, put it in a drill, and use it with polishing compound to polish the brass seat. Expect a viton tip needle to stick shut if not used daily. The steel needles really are the best for "A"'s.

Steel Needle showing staked "print" from brass seat. (not a Zenith or Tilly needle)
accel_needle.jpg
 
James,

I suggest that you buy the book "Tillotson Carburetors Repairing and Restoring" by David Hatch.

I bought the Tillotson repair kit and had the same question you did. Then I bought the above book and it answered the question along with a lot of good info.

Marc
 
I know some folks where a small hammer means 5 lbs worth !!
If your needle body is four sided, don't hold it in a three-jaw chuck![end quote]
'Now thats funny ! I don't care who you are, thats funny right thar !!' if I may quote a well know comedian.. That is funny, I like that.. Although some would try it.. I don't know why the font changed, oh well..
Click to expand...
 
Peen it over so it does not come out...what ever you place into a bore, center punch the OUTER Circumference only once to put a divot in the material creating the bore, thus holding the placed object in the bore. Clear as mudd?
skip.
 
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