Hole in an SU Carb

[whitenviro]

I have a set of SU HS6 carbs for my long-delayed Sprint engine that I have been going over. One of the jets was stuck in place and wouldn't slide up and down with the choke linkage, so I pulled it apart. Behind the jet, the carb body appears to have a very small corrosion or damage hole. The hole goes into a hollow part of the carb, apparently through a very thin metal wall.







I suspect this might have something to do with why the jet was stuck too; much more corroded than the other carb. I am considering just cleaning it up and soldering over the hole. It hasn't had gas in it for over 20 years, so I'd feel fairly safe doing it and don't think I'll burn my house down.

Anyone know what that part of the carb body does? Would soldering over it be alright? I'm just getting familiar with these SU carbs; my car currently has ZSs that have been very easy to maintain. These seem equally simple, but I'm not sure this one I should try to salvage this one.

[Hasbeen]

You might have a problem getting solder to stick there.

I once has the alloy head on a 6 horse Petter marine diesel start letting water into the sump. It was corroded under the copper head gasket pressure ring. Ridiculous using copper, with alloy, in salt water.

Middle of nowhere in the Pacific ocean islands, I cleaned it as best I could, built it up with epoxy marine filler putty, filed it smooth, & made a klingerite gasket for it, & it was still running 8 years later.

No heat there, so epoxy should do beautifully. Use a bit of light surfboard dynal cloth to stiffen it up, & spread the contact area.

Hasbeen

[moodyblue]

Liquid metal or petrol tank repair stuff, just fill and sand it down, should be fine.

[whitenviro]

Epoxy seemed to be the simple way. It worked great! I hope it holds up to being soaked in gasoline. Thanks for the recommendations.

[moodyblue]

Good stuff

[dursleyman]

Very neat job. Looks like that area should have fuel in it coming from the float chamber?

[skertonman]

From memory it's where the machining has come a bit to close to the bolt hole for the bolt holding the float chamber (fuel resovoir) onto the main carb body.
There should be no petrol in there to start with, and it will not lead into the carb body proper so as to weaken any fuelling mixture.

[Shauniedawn]

I've seen a few HS6s where this machining has gone through there.

It makes no difference to the operation of the carb whatsoever as it's only the bolt securing the float bowl that goes through there.