Carburetor Rebuild Kits vs New Carburetors

[Merkava_4]

124L02-0212-F1
Code: 08010858

How do you know when it's time to replace the entire carburetor as opposed to just installing a kit?

I got a Briggs & Stratton carburetor that looks to be in good shape, but it needs new gaskets and a new float seat.

The glossy black plastic throttle shaft is a flat black where it was rotating inside the throttle shaft bore.
Is that slight scuffing still acceptable, or will it create a path for unmetered air to enter?

The carb kit doesn't come with a new plastic throttle shaft.

[KE4AVB]

I haven't any problem with them other than some swelling causing binding which you basically sand it down some. But if you worry about the plastic version PN 799868 then you could usethe metal version PN 493267 both are the same cost. As for replacement since I normally only replace the bowl gasket, needle seat kit and the air cleaner gasket it is the way I usually go unless there is some severe corrosion involved then it is a new carb. Just the way I do it to cut costs due the penny pinching customers.

[Merkava_4]

It's about $11 for a rebuild kit and $32 for a whole new O.E.M. carburetor from ebay.

If for some reason the carb kit doesn't make it happen, then I'm out the $11 I could've spent on a whole new carb.

Throttle shaft is not swollen; it's just has a slight abrasion from being used.

Thanks for the part number to the metal version; I'll look into that.

[bgsengine]

It's about $11 for a rebuild kit and $32 for a whole new O.E.M. carburetor from ebay.

So, unless your labor rate is less than 40 bucks an hour, you (and your customer) would come out ahead with a new carb Half hour labor at $50/hr (which would be pretty darn cheap) would make a $36 carb assuming you dont replace throttle shaft and the repair kit does the job...

[Luffydog]

That's a no brained there it would be a new carb for sure!!!

[KE4AVB]

It's about $11 for a rebuild kit and $32 for a whole new O.E.M. carburetor from ebay.

Strange the job I just got through with the after market kit I use is less $5 cost which I normally stock. I sell them for $9.50. Only a few times I need the 1/8" thick bowl gasket instead of the 1/16" gasket and I have them normally left from bowl replacements. I have only replaced one of these carburetors since 2014 and that was because water had eaten away the tower. Of course there is parts in the kit I don't use; some are thrown away.

That reminds I need to add 10 kits to my next regular order which I am placing Friday. The only variable in my cost is the shipping charges but since I stock these and add them on regular orders the cost is minimal if not zero.

[Merkava_4]

Strange the job I just got through with the after market kit I use is less $5 cost which I normally stock. I sell them for $9.50.

What's the brand name of the aftermarket kits you order? Are they Stens or Oregon? The kit I mentioned for $10.99 is a genuine Briggs & Stratton carb kit made in China. Free shipping. Local price is $14.99. Some of those kits I notice for sale on eBay are missing the washer gasket for the bowel nut so I gotta be careful.

[KE4AVB]

Let me PM as getting into shop level pricing and we do need some our resources confidential or at least I do as customer tend to use it against us.

[creia]

Previously, I have been real leery trying any of the China-made carbs. On a recommendation, I recently bought this one on EBay for an old 1970 Tecumseh HS40 that we are restoring:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carburetor-For- ... 8a1cce%3Ag
It looks IDENTICAL to the 47 year old OEM Tecumseh carb. I installed it as it came out of the box and the engine started and ran on just the second pull. After a little tweaking (the carb is fully adjustable!) of the high and low speed screws it now starts on the first pull, idles nice and runs perfectly. We will still rebuild the OEM Tecumseh carb that came on this engine, however, this carb costs less than the rebuild kit!
Michael