Author Topic: slow jet broke in half during installation  (Read 1466 times)

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lovecrusher

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slow jet broke in half during installation
« on: April 21, 2006, 07:49:51 AM »
Whoo boy, I didn't want my first post here to be something as idiotic as a stuck screw but here goes...

Anyway, I have been casually putting back together a 1976 CB550k and I finally got around to the carbs last night.  Upon assembling the very last carb, I went to screw in the slow jet and when I went to seat it completely the top end of the slowjet broke off in my hands.  The break happened exactly where the threading starts on the slow jet.   So, now I have this teeny tiny stuck screw and jet that I need to extract somehow.  I am pretty sure they don't make screw extractors that small and I fear my only option is to drill it out.

So I was hoping that you fellows might have some good ideas on how to get that screw out...

Offline petersan

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Re: slow jet broke in half during installation
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2006, 08:24:02 AM »
Funny - Well, really NOT funny.  But coincidently same thing happened to me a few years ago putting together carbs for - you guessed it - a 1976 CB550K. 

Don't know what size screw extractor I used (EZ-out), but the smallest one in my set worked (think the softness of the slow jet metal had something to do with it).  I dont even think I drilled it out (but honestly don't remember exactly) - just used the EZ-out.  I had just re-built carbs with new carb kits, so I had an extra slow jet laying around to take the broken ones place. 

I barely tighten those things any more than hand tight anymore.

Best of luck. It will come out.

Offline Gordon

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Re: slow jet broke in half during installation
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2006, 08:27:00 AM »
Man, that's a tough one...

Here's what I would try first.  Spray some penetrating lubricant on it, so you have the least amount of resistance possible.  Then take the smallest phillips screwdriver from your tiny screwdriver set and lightly tap it into the end of the broken jet to get it slightly wedged in there.  Then gently unscrew it from the carb body.  The idea is to make very small grooves in the jet for the screwdriver to bite into. 

Just be very careful, the brass jet is much stronger than the carb body metal. 

lovecrusher

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Re: slow jet broke in half during installation
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2006, 09:00:57 AM »
Thanks guys, I will give it a go later tonight and see what can be done... I have a feeling it'll come out with some finagling.  Oh, and thanks to everyone on the board, you all have been a tremendous resource!

fourplay

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Re: slow jet broke in half during installation
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2006, 10:07:16 AM »
Hey. Just an idea.

Get one of those elcheapo jewlers screwdriver sets. You may be able to drive it in the small hole and use it as an extractor. I saw some for .99 the other day.

Offline TwoTired

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Re: slow jet broke in half during installation
« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2006, 10:24:06 AM »
I bought a set of carbs with the slow jet broken off as you describe.

I used a small hand drill to make a shallow pocket in the jet and a small easy out to twist out the remains.  Select a drill bit that is only just larger than the easy out.

Given the experience, I believe one of those left cutting drill bits would have extracted it in one motion.  Those can be hard to find, though.

Gordon's clever trick probably would have worked too.  However, the brass is soft and the tapered Phillips point "might" expand the soft brass outward against the threads in the body.  I remember when I initially planned the extraction procedure, that a driven screwdriver might just be enough to turn out the remains.  A had a small tipped flat blade screwdriver that I was going to slowly tap into the brass.  But, then I found that my smallest easyout (even with a broken tip) was still small enough to work without knarling the carb body threads.
Even with the flat blade screwdriver, I still would have drilled a shallow hole slightly narrower than the screwdriver tip.

Lastly, I have an optvisor with a 3x magnifier which gets up close and personal with these small bits of trouble.  It really makes you aware of just how tools interface with components you are working on.  Yeah, they look stupid on your head.  But, many a giggler has been found wearing one many times after the first try.  They are that good as tools.

Good luck!  Good patience!  And, remember that many problems can be solved with a suitable application of explosives.  But, not ALL problems are best dealt with in that way.

Cheers,
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline hymodyne

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Re: slow jet broke in half during installation
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2006, 10:38:11 AM »
I broke a slow jet on my last rebuild. I bought the set of squared-end screw exrtactors and was able to fit the tip of the smallest one into the opening of the broken jet. came right out.

hym
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lovecrusher

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Re: slow jet broke in half during installation
« Reply #7 on: April 21, 2006, 09:25:42 PM »
Whoooo!  I got it out.   Before I ran out to the store to buy the easy out, I grabbed a big magnifying glass and a teeny tiny glasses screwdriver and dove in there...  Thankfully it was almost as if the screw wanted to come out.  Thanks for all your advice guys!  Now to throw the suckers on the bike and get her up and running...

In other words, i'll be back in a moment with more questions..   ;D

Offline MRieck

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Re: slow jet broke in half during installation
« Reply #8 on: April 22, 2006, 10:27:31 AM »
 I've gently driven in the tip of an xacto knife and unscrewed them.
Owner of the "Million Dollar CB"