so i decided to break out the factory pro jet kit that has been in my toolbox for a while now and get to work on my 2001.  it's been fun digging around and taking stuff apart, since this is the first time i've explored my gs' inner workings.  got the carbs off and swapped out the needles no problem.

but i can't get the 8 phillips screws off the float bowls to budge.  i'm doing all i can with my screwdriver, tried liquid wrench, and every time i think i'm gonna get it, i start to strip it, so i have to back off.  anybody else have this problem?

Hey cgreenland, I'm sorry, I can't help with those stuck screws...BUT I just wanna tell you...I also installed the Factory Pro kit on my 01...you're gonna love it!  I just followed the manufacturers guide.  Good luck.

Get an impact screwdriver (not a power tool) and a nice new bit in the right size, the increased torque of the larger diameter handle may give you enough power.  If that doesnt work put the carb very carefully in a vice, while protecting it from cracking or breaking and give the float bowl screws a few taps with the impact screwdriver.  Never has failed for me.

we had to use an impact screw driver (pkasso did it for me) to get those 4 screws off. I screwd them on back but not as tight.. i think they got loctite on them. We had to whack it hard a few times before it would even budge.

What kind of jets are in your factory pro.. we should make a db of user method and the factorypro/DJ method..

Yeah, those screws can be a Buddha Loves You. Best to get some allen socket head screws to replace them with for when you do get them out. Then you won't have this problem again.

An impact driver works well, but the carbs are hard to support well enough that you won't damage something when you hit the driver with a hammer. Try some valve grinding compound on the tip of the screwdriver. It really helps it grip, and not cam out of the screw. I think someone is selling valve compound in a little package for making screwdrivers grip.

To get mine off, I used a hammer and a screw driver for most of them.  I found a way to brace the carbs and hammered the handle of the screwdriver while trying to turn the screws.  This worked eventually and they broke free.  There were 1 or 2 screws that I couldn't get out this way so I used a small pair of vice grips to grab and turn the screws.  This slightely deformed one of the screw heads, but I can now take them out without the vice grips (because I didn't tighten them up as much when I took them off) and the float covers still seal up good so I consider this a victorious method.

John L.

PS- Taking out those screws took longer than any of the other work that I did to the carbs.

well, i acquired an impact screw driver and still no joy.  how about just drilling a hole straight down on the screws and using a screw retractor???

the factory kit comes with allen head screws to replace these with.  that's assuming i can break them loose.  i got frustrated and needed transport, so i just switched the needles back to stock, reassembled everything, and will have another go at these stubborn buggers in a couple of weeks when i have some more free time.

i have no doubt that actually gaining access here will be the most time-consuming part of this whole process.  it sucks.

Quote from: cgreenlandwell, i acquired an impact screw driver and still no joy.  how about just drilling a hole straight down on the screws and using a screw retractor???

the factory kit comes with allen head screws to replace these with.  that's assuming i can break them loose.  i got frustrated and needed transport, so i just switched the needles back to stock, reassembled everything, and will have another go at these stubborn buggers in a couple of weeks when i have some more free time.

i have no doubt that actually gaining access here will be the most time-consuming part of this whole process.  it sucks.

Getting those screws out is not hard. Its just a matter of the right tool. make sure you have a bit for the impact driver that is big enough for the screw heads. Mine is perfect and i cant take them off without that baby. That damn impact driver is good even for using as a regular screwdriver because the little swivel deal and thick handle makes for a lot of torque and grip.

Dont give up. Just get a better tool and whoop that screw's ass.

Quote from: RashadDont give up

This, coming from you Rashad is SO appropriate!

Quote from: pantablo

Quote from: RashadDont give up

This, coming from you Rashad is SO appropriate!

Hehe.. i know, ironic isnt it?

I just got done (literally 2.5 minutes ago) taking apart my carbs and putting in the new 150 mains and 2 washers on the needles.. and setting her up for 3.5 turns out on the idle screw. All i gotta do is wait for the clamp on K&N  to get here and its on!!

Hehe, carbs are probably the most fun thing for me to play with. Maybe its because i was afraid to touch them before. I love them now, so simple, yet so complex in what they do.

*sigh*

remove the topcap and slides from both carbs, turn carbs upside down on a peace of thick cardboard, useing hammer and Proper sized screwdriver give the screw a few taps with hammer, then wiggle the screw in a twisting motion (tight loose tight loose) you should break them loose, if you round them out alittle before doing this, take a socket extention, put the flat part on the head of the screw and give it a tap or 2, this will flatten the screw alittle bit squeezing the + part alittle tighter, the added shock should help break it loose. then replace the screws with new or better when reassembling, stainless is nice.

Quote from: Blueknytremove the topcap and slides from both carbs, turn carbs upside down on a peace of thick cardboard.

Excellent idea on removeing the caps Blueknyt.

I think the impact driver should do the trick.  I've never seen a screw yet that can't be loosened this way unless it's stripped beyond use.  Driver must be set for the correct direction.  I've found that if I hold the driver and begin to turn in the desired direction - Preloading (just a little) the impact driver bit in the screw and whack it with a hammer while trying to turn it, it should come loose.

I got a MC tool box (full of tools) from a trade tech school and it came with a impact driver standard issue.

Funny thing Majul, that impact driver is almost as old as you are.

If it has been stripped dont try to drill it out unless you want to ruin the carb bodies.    I put less thought into my solution, I just got out the sawzall (standard hacksaw would work.) and I lengthened the slot to accept a big flathead.  Another trick is to use a long screwdriver with a thin shaft. you can load up the torque more controllably and with out slipping.  Just dont work over your thigh or other body parts! :x

Found it recently and absolutely worth its weight in gold...left handed drill bits...paid $10 for a set of 5 and drilled out 20 stoopid stuck rounded off crap in the first hour I got it...got my moneys worth instantly...BTW Autozone has it. Set drill to reverse and drill...and it will catch it and spin it out. Took stripped pilots off too...no problem.
Cool.
Srinath.

I used EZ-outs on mine.

Size #2 philips bit for the impact. For future reference.

done.  got the float screws out using the vice-grip approach and finally finished the factorypro jet kit on my '01.  very nice upgrade indeed.  thanks for all the suggestions and help!

Quote from: cgreenlanddone.  got the float screws out using the vice-grip approach and finally finished the factorypro jet kit on my '01.  very nice upgrade indeed.  thanks for all the suggestions and help!

what jets are the factory pro kit running and what are the instructions.. just wondering..

all my notes are in my off-site work area; i will swing by there either tomorrow or monday and post the specs.