Rebuilding the Carter WGD

Posted by Hans On 2013/2/15 5:11:02

Hi guys,

Currently I'm overhauling my Carter WGD 2102S carburetor from my Clipper De Luxe Sedan 1954. Reason I do this is very hard starting. The engine was completely rebuilt and the ignition is in good shape, all the adjustments are spot on, so I decided to have a go at the old Carter.
The rebuilt is coming along nicely but I'm a curious kind of guy so over the past days a few questions came up. I would like to share them with you and maybe have your opinion on them.

What I noticed when removing the carburetor was that the bowl was completely empty, no fuel. Last time I ran the car was a month ago, would this be a normal situation? I guess it is one main reason for hard starting when there is no fuel to start on.

Then there is the automatic choke. All the parts seem to be there, only the little Welch plug covering the cacuum piston bore went missing. This means that the position of the choke blade does not react on the engine vacuum, so it needs replacing. I guess a self fabricated aluminium plate will take care of the job.
Another thing is the heating of the bi-metal choke spring in the black housing cover. I know it is supposed to be heated from the manifold and the tubing is all there, but does anyone have a clue how it really works? What you would expect is two tubings to and from the manifold, one suppying fresh and the other hot air. I know there is a vacuum passage from the choke housing to the carburetor housing. My theory for the carter WGD is that the vacuum by-pass along the choke piston is enough to suck hot air from the manifold to the choke housing. But how about the fresh air supply because there is only one tubing? And how much vacuum can be generated in the choke housing considering there is an air leak around the flat rod that connects the choke mechanism to the throttle shaft for increased idle? What is your opinion and your experience guys? Do you guess the Climate Control choke will ever be functional again (and the big question: was it functional back in 1954)?

Last but not least I discovered an amount of play around the throttle shaft, too much. Then I discovered two grooves with O-rings in the shaft where it bears in the throttle body to correct the play and prevent air leakage. My guess is that this is definitely not an off factory situation as it makes it difficult for the shaft to turn freely. My guess is that someone in the past tried to cure the air leak this way. A more definitve solution would be to have the throttle body milled to accept new self lubricating bronze or even teflon bushes. The shaft itself seems to be in good condition.

Well guys, these were some observations and questions I like to share with you. In the meantime I will give all the parts a final meticulous cleaning with caburator cleaner to finish the preparations and start rebuilding.
By the way, when disassembling the carburetor I noticed how rough the outside of the casting is, not eroded but probably rough from the moment it was assembled by Carter.