tips on removing buggered up pilot jet

[jabcb]

Its the VM22/210 pilot jet on a T350 carb. Some PO wrecked the screw driver slot.
Any suggestions on how to get it out?

[rngdng]

Left-handed drill bit. Harbor freight carries a set for about ten bucks. Use a small one... It may go all the way through the soft brass, but even if it does you'll have a good hole to try an easy-out. I would soak the carb in Berryman's for 24 hours first.


Lane

[jabcb]

Thanks for the tip.

Have already used an ultrasonic cleaner + Simple Green HD.
Does a Berryman’s soak provide some additional benefit?

[ConnerVT]

Agree with the left handed drill/extractor. Use small(est) you can, and drill straight to not bugger the threads in the carb body. Locking the body in a vice (gently) and a hand drill will work, as it most likely will spin out easily. When I needed to do this, I was surprised just how easily it came out.

Berryman's is great for cleaning crud out of carbs. I've had mixed results with my cheapo ultrasonic and Simple Green. before trying to extract the pilot jet, I would give it a shot of some penetrating oil, and let sit for a little while.

[Alan H]

If you heat the carb in an oven (when the wife goes out!) to medium heat, it will help as brass and alloy expand at different rates.

[Vintageman]

What I do is get a drill that is the same diameter as the skinny part of pilot jet threads. Drill straight as you can through stuck pilot. You may be off center a little, but you should still have 75%-90% threads left unless you are real bad at drilling or have dull bits. That will be more than enough thread left to hold a pilot jet in place. I never had luck heating, soaking, cursing a stuck-stripped pilot jet and this is what I do straight away these days with no fear and little effort.

[Warehouse1001]

Left handed drill bit works great. Done it man times.

[jabcb]

Thanks for the tips.

Tried the smallest left hand drill/extractor bit & it was still stuck.
Then used the smallest pair from a screw extractor set: a 5/64” drill bit, then #1 screw extractor turned with a crescent wrench.
Stuck pilot jet came out surprisingly easy.

[rngdng]

Glad to hear it. They are so soft....and get stuck so badly.


Lane