[AT] Zenith Stuck Jet Removal

[Steve W.]

Ben Wagner wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> I am in the process of rebuilding a Zenith carburetor on a Gravely L; I 
> know this is a tractor group, but we do have Zeniths on tractors!  This 
> Zenith is nearly identical to the ones on my Farmall A's.  Someone along 
> the way attempted (vainly) to remove the brass
> 
> ~main jet
> ~main jet passage plug
> ~well vent jet
> ~idle jet
> 
> and did a terrible job of using a screwdriver.  The notches are 
> stripped!  Furthermore, whoever installed them either torqued the jets 
> or applied a sealant.  I had enough left to get my screwdriver in place, 
> but even after days of soaking in penetrating fluid, the parts will 
> still not budge.  My screwdriver doesn't have enough power, even clamped 
> in a vise with all my weight on the turn.  I don't want to damage the 
> aluminum bowl, or the threads, so I need a way to extract these stubborn 
> parts.
> 
> I was able to remove the needle seat with my screw extractors since the 
> notches were stripped on it also.  However, the little jets are either 
> too shallow for my extractors to get enough grip into the brass, or they 
> are too small for any jet.
> 
> Has anyone encountered a similar issue?  How did you get these stubborn 
> characters out?
> 
> Thanks for your help,
> Ben Wagner
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Heat. Grab a soldering iron or gun and apply heat to the jet. Let it get 
good and hot. Now spray with some lube. Use a punch and tap the jet 
straight a few times. This combo should break it loose enough to allow a 
left hand drill bit to grab it and remove it.

-- 
Steve W.