Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, and 850 California Police models
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The original Dellorto VHB carburetors are well-made, sturdy, and durable. Nevertheless, damage can be inflicted. Often, the most difficult damage to deal with is stripped threads. Here are some ideas that may help you get your Dellorto VHB carburetor back in service.
Top cap/cover threads
Thanks to Charlie Mullendore of Antietam Classic Cycle for providing me with some of this information.
The threads in the top of the carburetor are 4 mm × 0.75 mm. The thread pitch of 0.75 mm is very uncommon (0.7 mm is very common).
If these threads become stripped, there are several solutions you can try:
The metal used to to construct the carburetor is somewhat soft. You may be able to ***GENTLY*** squeeze the threads together using a bench vise. This may tighten everything up just enough.
JB Weld a 6 mm stud in the hole and secure the banjo with an acorn nut.
Last resort options:
If you could machine a stud that was 1⁄4 inch × 20 on one end and 6 mm × 1 mm on the other, then tap the body to 1⁄4 inch × 20, the extra diameter of the 1⁄4 inch end (approximately 6.35 mm) might grab hold without the need of JB Weld.
Or tap the carb body 1⁄4 inch × 20, enlarge the hole in the banjo and use a 1⁄4 inch × 20 bolt to secure it.
6 mm stud with an acorn nut.
Photo courtesy of John Mee.
Thanks to Ralf Brinkmann for providing the following information on the old Yahoo! Loopframe_Guzzi news group (which has now moved to Groups.io). In Ralf's own words:
(referencing Charlie's post above) I made it this way a while ago - no JB Weld required - works for at least 8 years now - my elder posting:
You may bore the thread through the metal completely. Use a threaded pin and a cap nut instead of the bolt. Secure the threaded pin with Loktite blue and don't loose it anymore.
Alu-solder may work, but I think that would be the very last option.