The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Carb alum. plug blowout.

Running a Carter WCFB #2366S on a small block. I was running diesel fuel and cheap oil to clean the gunk out of it. Notice a big fuel leak right beside the accelerating pump down low on the carb. Had run engine several times prior to this cleaning the gunk. On inspection, an aluminum plug right next to the pump had fallen or blown out. I’ll admit, the engine has backfire several times as I don’t have the choke system fixed yet. Question is: what or how do you put it back in so it will not dump fuel over a hot engine? Thanks.

Cut a piece of a lead wheel weight and whittle it down so it fits the hole loosely, and tap it into place with the ball end of a small ballpeen hammer. A big lead split shot fishing weight would also work well.
Jerry

00 or 000 buck shot works too.
I had to dig out a plug in an AFB to clean out a plugged passage. I used a .38 caliber lead bullet which was a perfect press fit. I used a reloading die part so as to preserve the appearance of the nose of the bullet because I am cool like that.
Carl

The various carburetor companies used a variety of methods to plug access holes needed to machine passageways.

Carter used copper drive plugs in the 1930's, which were superseded by aluminum plugs in the early 1950's.

Rochester, Stromberg, and Zenith used lead balls.

I don't know about Holley, as I never would work on one.

The plugs will eventually fail. With Carter, a good idea to tap the plugs with a drift punch and a hammer when rebuilding the carbs. The plugs are tapered, so tapping them will make them tighter.

With the others, either wait for them to fail, or dig them out and replace then when rebuilding.

As Jerry mentioned, a split shot sinker maybe a third larger diameter will work.

For those requiring show appearance, we have most of the various sizes of Carter plugs available if our minimum sale is ordered.

Jon.

Thanks guys. It’s the start of crappie season here in East Tennessee so I’ve got my fishing gear ‘locked and loaded’. I’ll pulled a lead weight out and fix it. On the other hand, I’m a reloader (see my handle) and like the idea of a bullet. Maybe a 6.5mm Swede.

All four of the aluminum plugs were removed using only my finger nails. Got 00 buckshot from my reloading stash. The carb hole measured 0.300”. A 00 ball is 0.330. Tapped it in and worked like a charm. Thanks again guys.