Autolite 2100 carburetor. Of the four screws that hold the accelerator pump cover in place to the carb’s front surface, only two fit correctly, the other two are on the verge of stripping. The problem isn’t the screws; it is the holes in the carb the screws fit, holes too large w/iffy threads. This carb is made of a sort of crumbly-metal material. Ideas? Thread-insert kit? The holes are smaller diameter than the thread inserts I’ve seen. Maybe just bigger-diameter screws?
You can try larger screws, but I doubt much success. Perhaps JB Weld or equivalent into the holes then thread in the existing screws?
Either way you will have a core to send in on a rebuilt carb.
Or you can throw the dice and order a $90 knock off manufactured in China.
Is your truck subject to emissions testing?
Time to swap in an FE, 390 or more!
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I think I woul go with a slightly larger screw and retap the holes. I think I tried that thread restore stuff once and maybe that would be worth a try but still would need to retap the holes. How about instead just putting a few strands of thin wire in the hole to take up the space. You only need to get the screws to hold down and how often are you going to have to fix it again anyway.
I haven’t yet read it, but the latest issue of Hemmings Classic Car has a pictorial feature on overhauling Autolite carbs. Why not drive over to Barnes & Noble, and peruse the mag in order to see if it might apply to your particular Autolite carb? If it is applicable, then you can buy the mag. If not, then back on the rack it goes.
That’s what I’m currently doing for the two over-size holes, copper wire, but would prefer something more permanent.
I used to go there nearly every week for something, pre-Covid. Haven’t been there even once post-Covid. Maybe time to return, good idea.
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Buy a cup of coffee, and sit for as long as you like while you peruse the mag. Even if the carb article doesn’t apply to your situation, just paging through the pictorials of classic cars should be entertaining.
Just paging through the nov issue of classic cars, don’t see anything on carbs except a small reference to the su variety. Maybe december is out.
This appears to be the article that @VDCdriver is referring to…
https://www.zinio.com/article/hemmings-classic-car/december-2023-i601984/no-qualms-carb-rebuild-a26
I am sorry, I do not have an account with ZINO… If it looks like it will help you be sure to bring your “James Bond” secret camera (or your cell phone with the flash turned OFF) and snap few photos while you are at Barnes & Noble…
Yup!
That’s it.
Ah, the latest I’ve got is November. Just got December today.
I’ve had luck using a #8 to replace #6. I didn’t tap, I didn’t even use self-tapping screws. I wouldn’t tap.
Since you don’t Tap, I’ll just “Tap Dance” around a bit… and if you do decide that a little Tap is needed… You know, if you have a moto-tool with the thin cutting wheels, you can always create your own “self-tapping screws”
With the screws being held securely in a small vice or vice grips, cut a shallow grove in the screw threads. If they are really short, you can also cut into the screw head without much danger of failure… See graphic and notice that the grove is a bit off center to simulate a cutting edge…
It does not have to hold that strong, maybe a thin strip of this in the hole would be enough. Woodmate Mr. Grip 3/4 in. D X 2 in. L Steel Round Head Screw Hole Repair Kit 1 pk - Ace Hardware
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I stopped by B&N but they didn’t have it, but my local Safeway does. Not the most recent issue yet. I’m not going to be snapping any photos inside Safeway though, might get the boot. There’s a U-tube out there somewhere on rebuilding the 2100 carb that’s pretty good too, easy enough job they do it on an upside-down 5 gallon bucket on a gravel driveway … the u-tube fellow says “it’s a Ford, can’t be that difficult!” … lol …