best cleaner to soak carb in - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Brad · 05-13-2002, 06:08 PM

...lacquer thinner, mineral spirits, denatured alcohal...?

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WOU in Monmouth, Or
68 Camaro,250(No,I'm not putting in a 350!)
67,LWB,250(Again, I'm not putting in a 350!)
a work in progress
"Praise The Lowered"

jku72 · 05-13-2002, 06:22 PM

Coca cola.
Or, if you can find it, government surplus or equivelent Grapefruit juice. It works, I promise.

sam's 72 · 05-13-2002, 06:26 PM

Gum out carb cleaner. It is the best I have ever used
Sam

bigvinnie · 05-13-2002, 06:29 PM

Berryman's Chem-Tool works very well, you can get it by the quart or by the gallon... doesn't quench your thirst like soda or juice.

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'72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA
http://www.ixpres.com/vlusardi/chevtrk.htm

69 longhorn · 05-13-2002, 06:37 PM

I have always used Hydro-Seal,but its not cheap(about $75 for 5 gallons). You might find it at the farm stores........69

Longhorn Man · 05-13-2002, 09:06 PM

I used the gallon of Berryman's Chem-Tool. The stuff really sinks though, the old lady won't want you in the same room with her for a couple days after this...

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'69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man
I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it.
FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite.
E-mail longhornmail@yahoo.com
My name is Andy...not Randy...I'm in Ohio...Not Illinois...close enough?
Columbus Ohio

Mike C · 05-13-2002, 10:09 PM

Berryman B-9 Chem-Dip. Comes in gallon cans with a small parts strainer. This stuff is wicked, one exposed to the chemical and air it actually eats the strainer! Don't leave your carb in it longer than the directions say, as it could eat your carb. Mmmm Mmmm.

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70 GMC 3/4 ton Sierra Grande 402/TH400
72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's
64 Corvette Coupe
68 Camaro 'vert TPI & TH700
69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110
72 Datsun 240Z-ol' reliable

jku72 · 05-13-2002, 10:27 PM

I am telling you, that grapefruit juice will strip anything, and is not so lethal. I use it to clean metal up, it does take a day or two. Rinse after with water, and voila! The cheaper and lower grade the better. Instead of 75 bucks a gallon, you can score it for about 1 dollar, and disposal is as easy as pouring it out wherever. Do a ph test on that some time, you would shocked humans actually drink it.

69 longhorn · 05-13-2002, 10:33 PM

Ill have to try the grapefruit juice. The hydro-seal is NASTY,if you get it on your hands it burns.........& you can also taste it if it gets on your skin!........69

**COBALT** · 05-13-2002, 11:13 PM

Chem-dip or that gallon can stuff they sell at NAPA. VERY CHEMICALLY, but if you're safe with it it's fine. Overnight soak and I was ready to go!

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'69 3/4 ton C20 2wd w/ 350ci/400THM and a wood bed!
'69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd w/ ORIGINAL 350ci/4sp Manual and a wood bed (parts beast).
Seattle, WA.

*See pics of my trucks and project at www.webshots.com!

bigjimzlll · 05-14-2002, 01:25 AM

dont leave the chem-dip stuff in the sun with the top sealed.....BOOM...what a mess..the top popped off and sprayed that stinky stuff all over

Brad · 05-14-2002, 01:54 AM

jku72-Cornville! I had to laugh at that, after the suggestion. Thanks, though I will try that, it sounds cheap and safe for the environment. Thanks guys

Longhornmail-I wish I had an old lady that would get pissed, (sigh). I'm just too damn picky. (all the girls at this college are 18-20) I'm still waiting for Nicole Kidman to knock on my door though, lol.

------------------
WOU in Monmouth, Or
68 Camaro,250(No,I'm not putting in a 350!)
67,LWB,250(Again, I'm not putting in a 350!)
a work in progress
"Praise The Lowered"

Steven Sellers · 05-14-2002, 02:34 AM

Although I have not used coke or grapefruitjuice (or bug juice as we Navy peeps call it) to clean a carb, I can assure you it cleans steel grates like nothing else.

ddsmith · 05-14-2002, 06:40 AM

Used bug juice(a form of kool aid) to clean crap off of pipes in the Navy. It is the citric acid that cleans. It leaves behind a little coloring too. You could have a custom red tinted carb. Everyone would ask how it got that way.

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66 Chevy C30 Stakebody Dump, PS,PB, 327cu in
71 Corvette Coupe 454 4 speed
79 Chevy 4X4 (Tom's old truck)

dubie · 05-14-2002, 08:03 AM

If you let your carb sit on carb cleaner for the recomended time, will you still need to take it apart and replace all the seals? I have heard that carb cleaner will eat all the internal rubber seals, and will force you to do a rebuild. Any truth to this??

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72 C/10 LWB 2wd
250 inline 6, 3 speed column shift. Soon to have a total facelift.

brennecke · 05-14-2002, 08:13 AM

I think the point is to take it apart, then soak it, then replace the seals. I wouldn't dip a complete carb.

Vince M · 05-14-2002, 08:28 PM

Yep..you gotta strip all the rubber parts out of the carb before it goes swimming.

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Orlando,FL
72 Chevy 4x4 3/4T CustomCamper w/SB 406

05-13-2002, 06:08 PM	#1
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,672	best cleaner to soak carb in ...lacquer thinner, mineral spirits, denatured alcohal...? ------------------ WOU in Monmouth, Or 68 Camaro,250(No,I'm not putting in a 350!) 67,LWB,250(Again, I'm not putting in a 350!) a work in progress "Praise The Lowered" __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten...

05-13-2002, 06:22 PM	#2
jku72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: cornville, maine Posts: 659	Coca cola. Or, if you can find it, government surplus or equivelent Grapefruit juice. It works, I promise. __________________ jku Cornville, Maine 68 C10 burb 42 Willys MB 46 Dodge WF-32 1.5 ton 53 & 56 Olds' 60 Cadillac 22 Dodge Brothers

05-13-2002, 06:26 PM	#3
sam's 72 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Pasadena, Texas, USA Posts: 1,005	Gum out carb cleaner. It is the best I have ever used Sam __________________ 72 LWB chevy truck. Pasadena, Texas

05-13-2002, 06:29 PM	#4
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	Berryman's Chem-Tool works very well, you can get it by the quart or by the gallon... doesn't quench your thirst like soda or juice. ------------------ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA http://www.ixpres.com/vlusardi/chevtrk.htm __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project

05-13-2002, 06:37 PM	#5
69 longhorn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: rock island,il,usa Posts: 5,382	I have always used Hydro-Seal,but its not cheap(about $75 for 5 gallons). You might find it at the farm stores........69 __________________ http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn

05-13-2002, 09:06 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	I used the gallon of Berryman's Chem-Tool. The stuff really sinks though, the old lady won't want you in the same room with her for a couple days after this... ------------------ '69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it. FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite. E-mail longhornmail@yahoo.com My name is Andy...not Randy...I'm in Ohio...Not Illinois...close enough? Columbus Ohio

05-13-2002, 10:09 PM	#7
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,728	Berryman B-9 Chem-Dip. Comes in gallon cans with a small parts strainer. This stuff is wicked, one exposed to the chemical and air it actually eats the strainer! Don't leave your carb in it longer than the directions say, as it could eat your carb. Mmmm Mmmm. ------------------ 70 GMC 3/4 ton Sierra Grande 402/TH400 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert TPI & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 72 Datsun 240Z-ol' reliable __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

05-13-2002, 10:27 PM	#8
jku72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: cornville, maine Posts: 659	I am telling you, that grapefruit juice will strip anything, and is not so lethal. I use it to clean metal up, it does take a day or two. Rinse after with water, and voila! The cheaper and lower grade the better. Instead of 75 bucks a gallon, you can score it for about 1 dollar, and disposal is as easy as pouring it out wherever. Do a ph test on that some time, you would shocked humans actually drink it. __________________ jku Cornville, Maine 68 C10 burb 42 Willys MB 46 Dodge WF-32 1.5 ton 53 & 56 Olds' 60 Cadillac 22 Dodge Brothers

05-13-2002, 10:33 PM	#9
69 longhorn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: rock island,il,usa Posts: 5,382	Ill have to try the grapefruit juice. The hydro-seal is NASTY,if you get it on your hands it burns.........& you can also taste it if it gets on your skin!........69 __________________ http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn

05-13-2002, 11:13 PM	#10
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Chem-dip or that gallon can stuff they sell at NAPA. VERY CHEMICALLY, but if you're safe with it it's fine. Overnight soak and I was ready to go! ------------------ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd w/ 350ci/400THM and a wood bed! '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd w/ ORIGINAL 350ci/4sp Manual and a wood bed (parts beast). Seattle, WA. *See pics of my trucks and project at www.webshots.com! __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

05-14-2002, 01:25 AM	#11
bigjimzlll Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Redding,CA...USA Posts: 4,736	dont leave the chem-dip stuff in the sun with the top sealed.....BOOM...what a mess..the top popped off and sprayed that stinky stuff all over __________________ It's called "drag racing" if they called it "tic..tic..WHAM!..BANG! F*&K!!!", they'd have to keep the magazines under the counter with the other men's publications click the clicky to join the site.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php 67 lwb..first hotrod in 25 years..540 best ET is 9.45 @ 141.44 Anderson,CA

05-14-2002, 01:54 AM	#12
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,672	jku72-Cornville! I had to laugh at that, after the suggestion. Thanks, though I will try that, it sounds cheap and safe for the environment. Thanks guys Longhornmail-I wish I had an old lady that would get pissed, (sigh). I'm just too damn picky. (all the girls at this college are 18-20) I'm still waiting for Nicole Kidman to knock on my door though, lol. ------------------ WOU in Monmouth, Or 68 Camaro,250(No,I'm not putting in a 350!) 67,LWB,250(Again, I'm not putting in a 350!) a work in progress "Praise The Lowered" __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten...

05-14-2002, 02:34 AM	#13
Steven Sellers Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 692	Although I have not used coke or grapefruitjuice (or bug juice as we Navy peeps call it) to clean a carb, I can assure you it cleans steel grates like nothing else. __________________ 2008 Buick Enclave(wifes new non wrecked) 1996 Jeep Cherokee 2002 2500HD 6.0L (traded) 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee(wifes/wrecked) 1977 DJ5 postal jeep(mmm lots of fun) 1988 Toyota 2wd p/u(DD, blewup 199,000) 1991 Toyota 2ed p/u (sry just cant break these things) 1997 XR70 Honda 1991 Z50(FOR SALE) 1972 Z50 Honda 1970 SWB 350/knucklebuster "The adventure begins and I am confident that there will be no end".

05-14-2002, 06:40 AM	#14
ddsmith Glowing since 1978 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Lusby,MD,USA Posts: 532	Used bug juice(a form of kool aid) to clean crap off of pipes in the Navy. It is the citric acid that cleans. It leaves behind a little coloring too. You could have a custom red tinted carb. Everyone would ask how it got that way. ------------------ 66 Chevy C30 Stakebody Dump, PS,PB, 327cu in 71 Corvette Coupe 454 4 speed 79 Chevy 4X4 (Tom's old truck) __________________ 66 Chevy C30 Stakebody Dump, PS,PB, 327cu in 71 Corvette Coupe 454 4 speed 69 Chevy C20 Custom Camper

05-14-2002, 08:03 AM	#15
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	If you let your carb sit on carb cleaner for the recomended time, will you still need to take it apart and replace all the seals? I have heard that carb cleaner will eat all the internal rubber seals, and will force you to do a rebuild. Any truth to this?? ------------------ 72 C/10 LWB 2wd 250 inline 6, 3 speed column shift. Soon to have a total facelift. __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795



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05-14-2002, 08:13 AM	#16
brennecke Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Missouri Posts: 469	I think the point is to take it apart, then soak it, then replace the seals. I wouldn't dip a complete carb. __________________ Never tire of doing what is right II Thess. 3:13 Northeast Missouri 71 LWB original 350 3/speed Soon to be 500

05-14-2002, 08:28 PM	#17
Vince M Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,076	Yep..you gotta strip all the rubber parts out of the carb before it goes swimming. ------------------ Orlando,FL 72 Chevy 4x4 3/4T CustomCamper w/SB 406 __________________ ............................................................ 68 Chevy CST SWB w/LS1, carb & 700r4. Golden Anniversary clone with a few improvements.

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