The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Carter 2101S & stock oil bath air cleaner

I recently installed and rebuilt a Carter 2101S to replace the Rochester BC on my '50 235. Used the kit supplied by Jon at The Carburetor Shop. It's a great kit by the way.

The air horns on both carbs appear to be the same size when comparing, but the air cleaner will not tighten on the Carter. It's seated fully on the air horn. I have checked and double checked.

My question, what would be good to use as a spacer so that I can use the original filter? Would cutting a strip of thin sheet aluminum work?

I know it seems like a silly question, but I don't want to add something that may have detrimental side effects that I'm not considering. It's also possible that I'm missing something simple and just don't know it yet. I often found out too late that "I don't know what I don't know"!

Thank you in advance.

How tight is “not tight”?

Something I would consider in your case, if the difference in size is small, would be strips of aluminum HVAC duct/pipe sealing tape.

Easy to cut 1/2” wide strips, adhere to the well cleaned inside face of the filter housing neck to fill the gap. You can add layers of tape to build up the thickness to fill the gap till the clamp will tighten to secure the filter in place.

The tape and adhesive is very resistant to high heat (I use it on HVAC furnace exhaust duct pipe joints), so can be smoothly installed and unlikely to dislodge.

Key to making the fill strip vacuum leak resistant is to apply smoothly.

Thanks, that may work!

On the Rochester, it tightens securely with no looseness. On the Carter, even at full tight with the screw, it has a slight looseness and wobble. Hard to describe.

When the air horns are compared, they appear to be the equivalent. I should measure them and take the appear out of the equation.

I just did this carburetor swap, but have not run the engine yet. My stock air filter fits snuggly. Check the clamp and make sure the ends are at 90 degree angle to the base and not bent towards each other. That might get you enough to be tight?

I know what you’re describing. Similar situation I encountered.

It’s been a minute. But I ~think~ I gently tweaked the “inner ring” or the “outer ring” with some pliers to snug it up. Maybe it was both. Either way, it worked. It’s still not crazy tight but doesn’t wobble either.

Use some quick setting epoxy to glue a thin strip of aluminum around the inside of the air cleaner ring- - - - -or the air horn. Several thicknesses and widths are available here:

www.ebay.com/itm/397261364881?

Your friendly local convenience store also sells aluminum shim stock in handy, portable 6-packs!

Jerry

I'll drink to that!

You know, I read that about the convenience store and just now got it. LOL

Must be a Utah think, I've got a Oregon brain!

Those dang long neck glass shims are difficult to cut into the length needed.

Thanks for all the chuckles gents, but can we get back on topic?

dt235sd - Come back and let us know what you chose to fix the problem, or let us know if more help is needed please and thanks.

I will have to look at mine a little closer I thought it was off a bit when I tightened my air cleaner clamp but I did get it tightened on the Carter carb