How to remove??

[zak_62]

Hi:
I want to remove the anti-tampering cover on my carb balance screw. The disc cover seems to be very tightly seated on the hole and I can't find any hole to pry on. What I am thinking is to drill a hole and stuck a screw on it to pull it out. Is there any better way to remove the cover without destroying it?

[lotusguy]

zak_62 said:

Hi: I want to remove the anti-tampering cover on my carb balance screw. The disc cover seems to be very tightly seated on the hole and I can't find any hole to pry on. What I am thinking is to drill a hole and stuck a screw on it to pull it out. Is there any better way to remove the cover without destroying it?

Zak,

Removing the cover will be a destructive process. That is the purpose of the cap to indicate whether someone has 'tampered' with it. Sometimes it is not a cap at all, often the screw barrel is simply filled w/ an epoxy or silicone and smoothed off, looking like a plastic cap.

But, are you sure it's a cap? In addition to capping/filling some of the carbs, Lotus/Dellorto also used an anti-tamper mixture needle screw. These A/T screws do not have the traditional slot cut into the top of the head.

Instead, they have a smooth top and are ground to create to flats on either side. A special tool is then required to adjust them. Get a flashlight and look down on the from directly over the top, if you see the flats on either side, this is what you've got.

In either case, you should replace them w/ standard needle screws, Dellorto part #9926 (Air Bleed Screw) and #9656 (Mixture Screw) which can be sourced for a couple bucks from EuroCarb Ltd. (www.dellorto.co.uk ).

If you have the A/T screws, the best way to remove them is to get a micro-needle nosed pliers, or better yet, a Needle Puller (similar to a Hemostat, but w/ long tapered points) and clamp onto the flats of the A/T screw, then simply turn it out. Take care not to loose the spring or 'O' ring attached to the screw. Standard needle screws simply screw in their places. Hope this helps. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE