Carb rebuild kits for a Bombardier J5?

[MaineBombi]

I've got one bad carb and one that is only slightly misbehaving. I tore them both apart and at least got one working well enough for now. The other was a mess before I started on it... completely wrong gaskets and who knows what else wrong with it.

I've tried pulling useful numbers off of either and no luck. They are both identical and I'm sure they are original for the standard Chrystler flathead 6. So the question is, what cross-refference kits will work for me?

Thanks!

Steve

 

[MNoutdoors RIP]

I've got one bad carb and one that is only slightly misbehaving. I tore them both apart and at least got one working well enough for now. The other was a mess before I started on it... completely wrong gaskets and who knows what else wrong with it.

I've tried pulling useful numbers off of either and no luck. They are both identical and I'm sure they are original for the standard Chrystler flathead 6. So the question is, what cross-refference kits will work for me?

Thanks!

Steve

Steve, Hygrade kit 101A for the Ball and Ball one barrel

 

[MaineBombi]

Hi Boggie!

I picked up my NAPA cross referenced kit today and am soaking the old stuff in carb cleaner overnight. Damned dirty, that old carb!

I have just one problem. There is a parts incompatibility and I'm wondering what to do about it. See what I mean:

The pump (I think that's the right term!) is different on the two models. On my carb there is a pressed in retaining ring that has the float/spring on one side and the piston on the other side. The replacement part is the correct diameter, but it is obviously designed for a completely different setup. My other carb is identical to the one I'm rebuilding, so that's no help to me.

Any advice from the gurus? The one on my carb now is dead and is likely the leading problem behind my various running problems. I need to find a way of fixing this problem. My current plan is to pull the pin on my old pump, drill a hole in the new shaft to match, then cut the new one down to match the old one. Anybody got a better idea than that?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[MNoutdoors RIP]

Steve is that square top Carb? or a round. if it is a square you will need a different kit. they are available from http://www.vintagepowerwagons.com/pdf/parts/03fuel.pdf

here is the link they have all the brass in them very good kits get the one for the square top ET2

 

[MaineBombi]

Thanks!

Yeah, I have a square top. Figures, don't it? The kit I got from NAPA had some useful parts that fit, but it was also lacking a bunch.

Since I already have the kit, and my existing brass is sitting in a cleaning bath, what I think I'll do is what I said above. I'll pull the hinge pin out of my old shaft, cut the new shaft to size, drill a hole, and pin it back in.

BTW, how do you get the piston out? Seems like it is pressed pretty firmly in. Since it's brass I don't want to force anything.

Steve

 

[MaineBombi]

Follow up...

I got the pump out after the carb sat all night in carb cleaner. I cut, reshaped, and fitted the new pump onto the old brass and spring. I hate letting parts go to waste! Some of the other parts fit nicely too. That was the good news.

The bad news is the NAPA kit, despite having about 10 main gaskets, didn't have anything more than close to what I needed. And sure enough, when I put it to the test gas spit out the side where the replacement gasket was too thin. There were also a half dozen gaskets for the bottom coupling that all were too wrong to use.

Conclusion... if you have a square top carb, don't bother with a NAPA kit. Instead go with the one Vintage Power Wagon has for sale. It's a bit more money but it has all the parts needed and they will work. At least that's what appears to be the case. I'll confirm this after my kits arrive.

Steve

 

[Buckgnarly]

This is the exact issue I am facing, any luck? What part number works on the industrial BB carb?

 

[weatherby]

This is the exact issue I am facing, any luck? What part number works on the industrial BB carb?

The kit that I used to rebuild my Ball & Ball is a very good kit, Part # P15021B However, I don't know the Manufacturer of the kit, I can find out for you if need be. I purchased this kit from my local parts store (not a chain type of auto part's store) a family owned store, with guys behind the counter that drove cars & trucks with flat heads in them back in the day. They just asked for the numbers on the carb. and then handed me this kit "with out" looking on a computer....Pretty amazing now a days.

Also, if your float is a good one, take very good care of it, they are no longer available any more, from what I've been told.

 

[MaineBombi]

I rebuilt a carb using the Vintage Power Wagon kits. Lots of bits and pieces that weren't useful, but most of the important stuff worked fine. The exception was the piston of the pump assembly (see previous post and picture). With a little bit of work I solved that problem and the carb has been working great for a year now. The other carb I had went off with another J-5 I sold before I got it fully put back together so I don't know if history would have repeated itself.

Steve

 

[Buckgnarly]

The kit that I used to rebuild my Ball & Ball is a very good kit, Part # P15021B However, I don't know the Manufacturer of the kit, I can find out for you if need be. I purchased this kit from my local parts store (not a chain type of auto part's store) a family owned store, with guys behind the counter that drove cars & trucks with flat heads in them back in the day. They just asked for the numbers on the carb. and then handed me this kit "with out" looking on a computer....Pretty amazing now a days.

Also, if your float is a good one, take very good care of it, they are no longer available any more, from what I've been told.

That's the kit I can find, your carb has that rib over the bowl cover, mine does not. From what I gather mine is an "industrial" model of that BB carb.

 

[MaineBombi]

That's the kit I can find, your carb has that rib over the bowl cover, mine does not. From what I gather mine is an "industrial" model of that BB carb.

Same for me. Weatherby's carb doesn't look anything like the two on my 1960s J-5s. The guy that runs our NAPA has been doing this for nearly 40 years and is also familiar with this particular flathead as there was a time when lots of Bombardiers were running around here. The only kit he could find that had a chance of working didn't contain any useable parts. I suspect these parts would have fit Weatherby's.

My advice is to get the kit from Vintage Power Wagon. The gasket (2nd most important part!), plugs, jets, and other brass bits are correct and need no modification. All you need to do is modify the shaft of the piston and you'll be all set. It's actually a pretty easy modification to make. Hacksaw and hand drill will do it, but a grinder is very helpful.

Steve

 

[Buckgnarly]

Same for me. Weatherby's carb doesn't look anything like the two on my 1960s J-5s. The guy that runs our NAPA has been doing this for nearly 40 years and is also familiar with this particular flathead as there was a time when lots of Bombardiers were running around here. The only kit he could find that had a chance of working didn't contain any useable parts. I suspect these parts would have fit Weatherby's.

My advice is to get the kit from Vintage Power Wagon. The gasket (2nd most important part!), plugs, jets, and other brass bits are correct and need no modification. All you need to do is modify the shaft of the piston and you'll be all set. It's actually a pretty easy modification to make. Hacksaw and hand drill will do it, but a grinder is very helpful.

Steve

Is it the kit on the top in their catalog. I'm having a hard time deciphering the kit #s, probably b/c I know nothing about the engines and Powerwagons.
Can anyone give me apart number to use when calling them?

 

[MaineBombi]

Sorry, I don't know. I did this nearly two years ago and called them on the phone. They are good people and will definitely be able to help you. I already knew of them before I got my J-5 I had various military vehicles, one of which was a Dodge. These guys have a great reputation within the community.

Steve

 

[duckscarfer]

I had this very same problem. I ended up making the same mods to the accelerator pump and had thank make my gaskets. Bad news was after all the work it still didn't run right. What I ended up doing was I put a round top ball and ball carb on mine. The napa kit worked perfect. I also changed the oilbath air filter over to a paper element chrome
Filter from a vw worked perfect. Save yourself the trouble and switch over. I got lucky and found mine at my father inlaws house on and old flatbed dodge with a flathead six. Free. I will be selling my complete running motor and possibly the trans soon.im stuffing a small block chevy in mine. If anyone is interested let menow.775-427-1976

 

[MaineBombi]

Cool. Good to know the change over worked. If mine craps out on me I'll probably do the switch.

I had a similar experience years ago with a M29C Weasel. The carb for that was unique and after an expensive rebuild it still didn't work right. Not wanting to spend upwards of $400 for one of the few remaining NOS carbs, I got my mechanic friends working on it. They grabbed a carb out of an old Ford van, modified some bolt holes, and bingo... ran perfect ever since and parts could be got at any NAPA no problem. I think we sometimes forget that brute force solutions sometimes work very well!

Steve

 

[duckscarfer]

Agreed. I have to say though other than the air filter swap it bolted right up. I think the problem with original was the brass plunger on the accelerator pump was just worn out.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I had this very same problem. I ended up making the same mods to the accelerator pump and had thank make my gaskets. Bad news was after all the work it still didn't run right. What I ended up doing was I put a round top ball and ball carb on mine. The napa kit worked perfect. I also changed the oilbath air filter over to a paper element chrome
Filter from a vw worked perfect. Save yourself the trouble and switch over. I got lucky and found mine at my father inlaws house on and old flatbed dodge with a flathead six. Free. I will be selling my complete running motor and possibly the trans soon.im stuffing a small block chevy in mine. If anyone is interested let menow.775-427-1976

This is pretty much where I am at. I rebuilt and made my own gasket, but now the throttle body leaks gas. I've been contemplating the changeover but was held back by the air cleaner. Any chance you can get some pics or part numbers?

I was thinking of finding a K&N or some other confilter to adapt it, but the engine cover seems to get in the way of mounting it straight up. Possible some tubing?

 

[duckscarfer]

Yea I can get some pictures but it will take me a day or so. I used a aftermarket VW aircleaner. They are low profile and slip on. I screws mine into the carb and siliconed to seal it. Then the very top of it comes off with just a wing nut for changing the filter. I don't remember the part number or the make. But I know they are all about the same for the stock vw.I think I paid about $15 for it. It looks like a little small but works fine. A guy could always stack two for more air flow. If you or anyone else wants more info or explaination on how I did mine just call me my number is in the above post. Also if you wanted a preformed radiator hose would work to connect the stock oilbath filter. I switched for better preformance and because mine was leaking oil everywhere.

 

[duckscarfer]

here are the pictures. The screw I put in was a self tapper.

 

[duckscarfer]

Also somthing I forgot which might be a problem for others with stock manifolds is the fact that mine are custom built so im not sure if your carb will be in the same location as mine.