Triumphrat

FrankD · 03-27-2009, 01:41 PM

Giving the carbs on my t-bird a really good cleaning this weekend and I remember the last time I had them apart I couldn't get the plugs out that blocked the pilot screw. It was slotted so I tried a flat blade screwdriver but it started to break the plug so I stopped.
Can anyone tell me how to get the plug out?
While I'm at it, can anyone recomment a really good parts cleaner and other things to look for while I have everything apart? The bike seems to have alot of trouble with cold starts so I'll be sure to clean out the choke valve and pilot jet, check/adjust the float heights...and hopefull solve my problem.
Thanks!

Slinky · 03-27-2009, 02:48 PM

I never had any personal experience, because we don't get those plugs on UK spec bikes. IIRC you have to drill a tiny pilot hole, then screw in a self-tapper to use as a lever. Be careful not to go too hard with the drill or the screw or you will damage the brass mixture screw.

FrankD · 03-27-2009, 03:20 PM

Wow... that sounds like a PITA! Strange that they only do that with bikes that are shipped across the pond.

One more thing... seems like the general consensus is 2 1/2 turns out for the pilot screws, is that correct? I beleive the manual says 1.5 turns?

Slinky · 03-27-2009, 03:40 PM

That really depends on a whole lot of other things, like airbox and mufflers, but I would think 2.5 turns would be about right. Adjusting the screws has no effect beyond about 3 turns out.

Really, the setting of these screws is not an accurate way to set the mixture. To do that properly an EGA has to be screwed into the plugged holes in the header pipes.

IrlMike · 03-27-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankD

One more thing... seems like the general consensus is 2 1/2 turns out for the pilot screws, is that correct? I beleive the manual says 1.5 turns?

Yes, 2 1/2 turns seems to work better on a stock/near stock bike.

Woody1911a1 · 03-27-2009, 03:57 PM

the caps over the pilot screws don't have slots . they're sheet metal caps . what year bike and what kind of carbs , mikuni or keihin ?

MickMaguire · 03-27-2009, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woody1911a1

the caps over the pilot screws don't have slots . they're sheet metal caps . what year bike and what kind of carbs , mikuni or keihin ?

this is exactly what I was thinking - you are talking about the mixture screw caps and not the pilot jets themselves arent you?

FrankD · 03-27-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woody1911a1

the caps over the pilot screws don't have slots . they're sheet metal caps . what year bike and what kind of carbs , mikuni or keihin ?

Sorry for leaving out the details. It's a 2002 thunderbird with Keihin Carbs. Where the pilot screw is (or at least that's what it looks like from the diargram I printed out)there's a piece of brass with a slot across it. Tried using a small phillips screwdriver to loosen it but the brass started to break so I stopped. First I though the screw was really jammed in there but after looking at the diargram (printed from bikebandit) I noticed the plug.. so I assumed that it must be the plug and that's why it's not turning. Seemed pretty straightfoward but clearly I'm missing something here.

Slinky · 03-27-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankD

Sorry for leaving out the details. It's a 2002 thunderbird with Keihin Carbs. Where the pilot screw is (or at least that's what it looks like from the diargram I printed out)there's a piece of brass with a slot across it.

That is the pilot screw head you are looking at. If the anti-tamper plugs were in place you would not be able to see the screw head. They can seize up due to lack of use, it may be an idea to squirt some dismantling fluid in there and leave it for a while.

cafetbird · 03-27-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankD

Sorry for leaving out the details. It's a 2002 thunderbird with Keihin Carbs. Where the pilot screw is (or at least that's what it looks like from the diargram I printed out)there's a piece of brass with a slot across it. Tried using a small phillips screwdriver to loosen it but the brass started to break so I stopped. First I though the screw was really jammed in there but after looking at the diargram (printed from bikebandit) I noticed the plug.. so I assumed that it must be the plug and that's why it's not turning. Seemed pretty straightfoward but clearly I'm missing something here.

O.K. - are you on the inside or the outside of the float bowl? It sounds very much like like you are inside the carb, trying to remove the actual pilot jet. It sit down inside a hole next to the main jet, is made of brass, and has a slot in it.

The air screws are on the outside of the carbs, and consist of a flat steel plug that you drill out to find the screw underneath.