1966 FL DC-7 Carb - Buy Rebuilt?

[Scratch]

Hey Oh Wise Ones. My old DC-7 is coughing and sputtering and leaking. I've seen several outfits (one in VT) selling rebuilt units on eBay in the $300 - $325 range. Has anybody bought one and if so has it worked out. Anything I should look for? Would like to keep the bike stock so don't really want to go down the aftermarket route.

Thanks,

Jim

[T. Cotten]

Jim!

Gaskets and such shouldn't be a quality concern.
If your float has swollen to where it sticks, which is unusual considering the wide clearances in the DC, then common repops may be only a temporary solution with your local fuels.

DCs are phenomenally friendly carbs, so coughing and sputtering may instead be a common manifold issue.
I suggest bubble-testing the manifold assembly (http://virtualindian.org/11techleaktest.html), and using only viton O-rings, such as offered by JAMES Gaskets, and only OEM-style clamps with #10 screw fasteners.
(Beware that many stainless offerings on the market are metric straps, and slightly too wide, but can be ground to size.)

....Cotten

[Scratch]

Thanks for that Cotten.

Jim

Jim!

Gaskets and such shouldn't be a quality concern.
If your float has swollen to where it sticks, which is unusual considering the wide clearances in the DC, then common repops may be only a temporary solution with your local fuels.

DCs are phenomenally friendly carbs, so coughing and sputtering may instead be a common manifold issue.
I suggest bubble-testing the manifold assembly (http://virtualindian.org/11techleaktest.html), and using only viton O-rings, such as offered by JAMES Gaskets, and only OEM-style clamps with #10 screw fasteners.
(Beware that many stainless offerings on the market are metric straps, and slightly too wide, but can be ground to size.)

....Cotten

[jmatch]

What Cotten said. Sputtering and coughing back through the carb on my '67 was a problem till the manifold leaks were fixed and the ignition cleaned up and re-timed. "Carburetor problems" are often symptoms of other issues and good for sales at S&S! Your bike has worked with stock parts for almost 50 years, no reason to "upgrade" now, good luck, JF in NC