Wrench Size???

[RHD]

For the brass Adjusting Needle Housing A-9528 on the Zenith carb, what is the correct wrench size to use, or how is this housing normally removed to keep the brass nut good? Using a Vernia, I make it 13/23" or just a whisker over 10mm. I tried a 10mm ring spanner, but it would not comfortably fit. (Too tight). 11mm is way too big. What is the approved removal method, or is it possible to buy a 13/32" ring spanner?
With the back of the nut being close to the carb. housing, there must be a suitable tool for removal.
I have many A-9528 housings with the nut mangled by using the wrong tools. I am restoring a Zenith 1 carb.
Any help would be appreciated.

[Roger V]

The original hex was 13/32" and the repros typically are 7/16". Years ago I bought a 13/32 open end wrench because that's all I could find. It only works ok if the housing isn't badly stuck. Just last week I bought a 13/32 box end wrench intended for a South Bend lathe. As you said the clearance is tight so I probably will have to grind some of its circumference. I did notice on Ebay an old set of Snapon deep well sockets which had a 13/32 included. Doesn't look like they supply them currently. One of the carb rebuilders suggest taking a 10mm deepwell socket and filing the insides walls to fit. I've tried that but the surface is hard and not very accessable for even filing, etc. Like you I've bought carbs with chewed-up original housings.

[dave in australia]

Go to Supercheap Auto or any other budget auto store in your area and get a set of el-cheapo 1/4 drive sockets. The cheap sets usually come in 1/32 size increments. Get the correct size socket, cut the drive end off, and weld a bar on the side. One cheap 13/32 ring spanner. If you need a deep socket, cut the drive end off, and weld a tube in between the ends. I have dozens of cheap spanners and sockets that have been bent and welded etc for one off special jobs. It's better than wrecking your good spanners.

[fordfixer]

I had a friend order these sockets. It was a special build. They were deep wells. But not deep enough. I cut them in half with a chop saw. Welded in a longer piece. Works very well. Jon

[Tom Endy]

I found the best way to remove it is to use a small pair of vice grips. They are usually in there very tight. It will grasp it firmly and turn it without rounding off the soft brass. For installation I use a very small crescent wrench.

Tom Endy

[Jerry Parr WI]

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I filed a 10 mm box end wrench to fit.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Same as Jerry, I bought a quality 6 point 10 MM box wrench and filed it a little bit to fit. Actually two sizes were used on those housings and I thought the other was 3/8" but maybe it was 7/16". It's been a long time since I rebuilt a carb, but just be sure to use a 6 sided box wrench, so you don't round the corners. It only took a few minutes to make the 10 MM the correct 13/32" size.

[david adair]

Use a Craftsman 10 mm deep socket. It will fit and will not damage the carb.

David

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by Tom Endy

I found the best way to remove it is to use a small pair of vice grips. They are usually in there very tight. It will grasp it firmly and turn it without rounding off the soft brass. For installation I use a very small crescent wrench.

Tom Endy

How do you avoid marking the brass?

[mot]

almost every attempt I have tried to remove the valve with a small crecent,or open end has resulted in mangled surfaces
since i started using 13/32 box end wrench
i have not had one problem
ive had 3 different ones over the years and like this Armstrong the best
i have never had to grind them to fit
the open end wrenchs will not work
if they are stubborn ,use a LITTLE heat
I took out over 50 this summer with none damaged

[Tom Endy]

Someone asked how I keep from marking the soft brass.

The small vice grips I use have smooth surface jaws at the end. I grip the wrench flat with this portion of the tool. It wouldn't matter much if it did leave some tool marks, all I have taken apart already have been butchered up and rounded off with various kinds of wrenches.

Besides a few wrench marks gives it character and drives the blue ribbon purists crazy.

Tom Endy

[Mike V. Florida]

I've been lucky, I filed down an open end wrench for a tight fit, painted it orange so It won't be confused with another wrench and it has worked fine so far. But then again I don't usally rebuild carbs that bad to start off with so the open end has worked.

Stanley has a thin wall impact socket that might be of help;

http://www.stanleyproto.com/xhtml/LI...ETS_T20510.PDF

[Bob from Northport]

Get on your local Snap On Truck and buy an 11mm deep socket. Works perfectly everytime.

[dave in australia]

Originally Posted by Bob from Northport

Get on your local Snap On Truck and buy an 11mm deep socket. Works perfectly everytime.

The problem with snap-on down-under is the price. You have to own a gold mine to buy their products. $20AUD for one 11mm socket is crazy.

[Brentwood Bob]

but dave, its snap on. bob

[dave in australia]

Originally Posted by Brentwood Bob

but dave, its snap on. bob

There are other tools of the same quality as snap-on but no where near the price.

[HoarseWhisperer]

But the others don't have the great calendars.

[Mikeinnj]

Snap On tools are over rated and over priced. You are paying for the name. Real Back Yard and Real Shade Tree Mechanics would be embarrassed to own them. Several brand name tools will get the job done just as well at 1/10 the cost.

[Ulysses6]

Could this be the correct wrench ? It has Ford script and is 1/4 U.S.S. (1/2") and 3/16 U.S.S. (13/32").