I'M TOO RICH

[Arizona Mike]

My '49 is running rich. I'm getting a black deposit on the weather cap and black smoke at start up. After we get warmed up the smoking stops but the exhaust still smells too rich.

Carb rebuild?

I saw a NEW carb. go off on Ebay last week for over $170. Is this correct...seems too expensive ? ?

I still think I need one more Cub unless Bigdog has already bought them all up.

Thanks

Mike

[Bill V in Md]

Mike,

The black soot is the result of poor combustion. A carb rebuild kit can't hurt, but I would also check ignition system for proper spark at the plugs and correct timing. Maybe a hotter plug (Champion D21) could help. Finally, check and clean the oil bath cleaner on the air intake, because this could be restricting air flow into carb.
I noticed that carb on ebay also. It was an original IH carb in pretty good condition. I guess if one is going for an original restoration, they are willing to pay the price. However, that is about what I paid for my snow plow.........Bill V

[Lurker Carl]

Here's my perspective on the money issue.

You could spend $100 on parts to rebuild a 50 year old carburetor - $45 for the IH kit, $20 to replace a leaking float, $15 to replace a broken idle tube, $8 for a Kohler float needle and cage, and the bucket of carb cleaner. That doesn't include your time and materials needed to straighten out the castings and repair the stripped threads and fix all the previous boo-boo's that someone else jury-rigged over the decades.

Go look at the $3000 plastic riding mower with a cup holder and canopy at Home Depot. A new carburetor for $170 seems like a pretty good deal.

[Marion(57 Loboy)]

I paid about $165 for my new carb and it's 'saved' me 100 times that in aggrevation already!