Help: Broken dellorto float pin pillar

[alaric]

Hi all. Disaster. I've managed to break the pillar that clamps the pin that holds the floats in my dellortos. It's part of the top cover cast. I was being really careful... but nevertheless I'm now not sure how to proceed. I can't find any stock of top covers in the usual suspects. At the moment I'm trying to remove the choke piston so that I can determine which variant of top cover it actually is.

Ok I've got the piston out now. I have the 14mm diameter version.

Does anyone have a spare top cover

I've just found that Eurocarb, bless them, have a repair service for £50! Hoorah! I've emailed them, have found the broken bit that pinged across the garage that camouflages things that drop onto it, and am ready send it off. Damn it I might drive it up there... not in the elan though, of course.

Regards.

Sean.

[john.p.clegg]

Give JBWeld a try...

John

[elans3]

JB Weld lasts...... for a while. Ask me how I know, from way back. Eventually, the fuel gets to it and it breaks again.

[rgh0]

You could drill a hole and tie wire the pin in place..... BTDT

cheers
Rohan

[jono]

I did the same and repaired it with JB Weld and always worried how it would hold up to the petrol but it was absolutely fine

[alaric]

Hi. Thanks for your replies.

I was somewhat despondent last night - like that time I got to the end of a very difficult piste skiing, and coasting to the bar fell over and broke my knee.

This morning I sent the top cover off to Eurocarb, after speaking to them. They didn't need the piece that broke off, so I think they are going to mill off the remains of the pedestals and fit a replacement part of some description. I'm intrigued to see what the fix is. For £50 I think it's worth a try. Hopefully it will be back with me later this week, or early next week, and I can get onto the next problem haha.

All the best.

Sean.

[alaric]

I have my top cover back. It's repaired. It looks as good as new.

Hopefully I won't break it again.

Sean.

[pharriso]

Nicely repaired

[alaric]

Hi again all.

I have the top cover re-assembled, and have fitted the floats. All looks good so far.

But, the split in one of the pillars is now gone - which I'm actually relieved about. The pin is a loose fit in both holes. Given the pin can't actually go anywhere once it's on the carb, does this matter? Does anyone else bother making sure the pin is locked in position? It wasn't when I took it apart. Des Hammil's book suggests inserting the pin then using pliers to compress it, but I'm not doing that again - yes that's how I broke it - following his book! Although he does warn... my advice - don't do it!

So, is it ok to leave the pin a snug but not locked fit, retained by the side walls of the carb once the top cover is in place? I want to use something to stop it rattling - some sort of fuel resistant putty is all it needs I think.

What have others done about this?

Thanks in advance.

Currently I have nothing lost or broken.... hoorah!

Sean.

[Craven]

As an insurance against pin movement just misshape ie flatten with vice one end of the pin to provide a push fit to post.

[alaric]

That's a good idea. Thanks for that - it's obvious now that you've said it, like most good ideas. I must be honest that I'm quite nervous of squeezing the pin, though, as I don't have spare pins or top covers, and there's no going back. I think I'll give it a go though.

I still haven't preened the butterfly valve screws either. I was planning to deploy mole grips rather than a hammer, though.

Regards.

Sean.

[RichardHawkins]

Alaric,

I would be inclined to use a pin that is a bit longer than standard, so that you are really sure it can’t slip sideways and jam.

Hope this helps,

Richard Hawkins

[alaric]

Thanks Richard. I opted for compressing the end of the pin in a vice. Its now sticking in the hole, and that's good enough for me for now.

Regards.

Sean.