I'm sure this is not a new question but I will ask it anyway. I have a 1988 tintop that needs carb work. I'm not good at carb rebuilding so I guess I'm going to have to buy a rebuilt carb. Looking for suggestions on what works best and won't break the bank. I would think that the stock CA. carb would would be OK for Colorado if it were working properly. So...find a shop to rebuild mine or buy a rebuilt carb?? Anyone have some input? Thanks for any help.
I don't know if anyone rebuilds the stock carb anymore. Let's just go over the list of what's actually the history on the hitachi low bid carb.
It's made for USA federal standards (except CA) it has an O2 sensor that was supposed to be replaced annually. It has a melted circuit board in the modual behind the glove box from cheap capacitors. It was designed to last five years. It has plastic bushings on the complicated linkages that disintegrated and the linkages bind. It has two potentiometers on the fire wall for elevation and air pressure. It has four obsolete vacuum switches. It has a rich lean solenoid. Heater valves and yada yada.
I went in a totally different direction back in 2005 and do the Harley CV carbs.
Not to complicate this but you have choices.
My advice avoid Weber and Weber clones.
I am not keen on the Chinese carbs but they work for some. The rest call me and switch to Harley Carb.
EFI new or old
Propane
Check with your states rules. Here in AZ we go historic plates and avoid smog while being able to buy proper insurance for total replacement on our collector Samurai.
If you're worried about smog in CO, my suggestion would be to move out of Denver. ;D
Mine was allegedly rebuilt before I bought it and it recently passed Smog here in CA. I'll ask the previous owner if he knows anything about it when I get back to work on Tuesday.
Stock carb rebuilding ugggg! Correct that there are no true carb rebuilders for the stock Hitachi carb anymore.
Zuki4x4 of the BBS Zuwharrie forum did a wonderful write up for rebuilding the carb.
He and I have dissected the workings of the carb and emissions over the years and have so far succeeded in passing the most stringent Calif Smog testing here in the Sacramento Area.
Here is a great link to a thread done by Zuki4x4 rebuilding his carb.
https://bbs.zuwharrie.com/threads/another-stock-carb-thread.133663/ (https://bbs.zuwharrie.com/threads/another-stock-carb-thread.133663/)
Before you start turning screws and bending things here is a non-pro video I did to show the adjustments and operation of the Hitachi throttle linkage!
Jim.
Thanks for posting that video, BFF! It cleared up many confusing posts I have read recently. If I may ask a follow-up question regarding the indexing marks on the cam and the follower? When cold, my marks do not align. At running temperature, they are aligned and choke opens between 1/2 and 2/3. The wax valve extends, but not as far as yours. (Dang! Sounds like a porn site! Sorry about that!) It starts about 1/8 inch then extends to about 1/4 inch when hot. I suspect these valves are not available anywhere except older carbs, eh? Are they serviceable? Can they be easily changed out with a working one? Thank you again for a very helpful video!
Thanks for all of the input. Oh, and I'm in Loveland, not horrible Denver. I try not to go there. So, I have searched the web and think I have found a shop that sells "rebuilt" Hitachi carbs that are CA compliant. Thus, should meet CO emissions. I am still waiting for delivery and will let you know if I am successful. Sorry I have been slow responding to all of the messages. I'm somewhat "computer challenged" and not very savvy with these forums.
Great that you found someone to rebuild that Hitachi Monster! Can you provide all of us a link to the rebuilder?
Also let us know how it goes.
Jim.
This is the company I ordered the rebuilt Hitachi carb from. They were able to rebuild one that they had in stock and ship it in 3 days. I paid for 2 day UPS shipping and expect delivery tomorrow. I will let you know if it is all they said it would be.
https://nationalcarburetors.com/
Follow up on CA compliant Hitachi Carb from National Carburetors
I ordered the carb on the 19th and paid to have it shipped UPS 2 day. They had to rebuild the carb they had first.
I was amazed to see that it was shipped by Wednesday the 21st and arrived on Friday the 23rd at 3PM. Can't complain about that quick turn around!! It looks like a great job on the rebuild. Will have to see how it performs. It also came with a prepaid return label.