I have a edelbrock performer carb that I am going to reinstall on my 302, well I need and want to clean this thing up before I put it ontop of my newly painted and rebuilt motor, its got old gas and oil stains/film on it, what is the best way to clean her off? it works great, just don't think it looks good. I have heard dipping it in a bucket of gas, or carb cleaner is the way, but I want to ask someone other then my father


ty for your help

 

I rebuilt the carburator on my old 79 f100 truck and used a small wirebrush, toothbrush and carb cleaner. It looked almost new.

 

Go to your local parts store and get the gallon of gunk carb cleaner. It hace a nice lil parts basket dismantle you carb and let the parts soak for a day or so. use a wire brush or toothbrush to get the heavy spots off. and if you really want it to look good get yourself some hi-temp primer and paint.

 

if it runs good and doesn't need to be rebuilt, I wouldn't try soaking it in anything as this could ruin all the interal rubber parts in it.
since you have it off the engine, just use some good carb cleaner on it along with some light scrubbing with a small wire brush or some Scotch brite pads on the heavy spots.

 

Laquer thinner in a spray bottle, it eats the varnish residue the gas leaves behind and will not hurt rubber parts as long as you do not soak them for days on end. I would vote against dipping the carb in anything though, just use a spray bottle with a nice stream on it like a armor all bottle. You can use carb cleaner too it works but you will probably need 2 or 3 cans to fully clean the carb.