MG Car Repair: zenith stromberg 150cd manual choke, british car club, zenith stromberg

Question
the the large plunger that is activated by the diaphragm in the top of the carb is stuck fast.  how can i get it loose, and if i do can it be made re serviceable? the engine is in a midget and is a 1500 spitfire.   the cars has been sitting for six years

Answer
Hi James,
Remove the top cap and fill it with penetrating oil and let it set for a few days, then try twisting the piston back and forth. Don't try to pry it out as that will destroy it.
That is a common carburetor and so if you can not get it loose one last thing to try is to heat the inside of the tube where the oil was with a torch, then cool it in water and repeat that several times to see if you can get it to break loose. always twist to try to get it loose never pry on it. The diaphragms are available if it is destroyed. Remove the needle from the bottom of the piston as that is particular to your engine.

If all fails locate a British car club in your area and ask to place an ad in their newsletter as many Strombergs are replaced with other kinds of carburetors, so there are 150 Strombergs sitting in boxes under benches.

There is always E-Bay too.
Howard