How difficult is a carb rebuild?

My carburetor needs rebuilding. I've had couple quotes that seem reasonable...in the neighborhood of $125 plus parts, but I've spent quite a bit of change on the old girl here lately and I really need to stop the bleeding.

But...I really need the carb rebuilt.

I was thinking about just what was involved in a rebuild and it seems to me that for the most part a really good cleaning may be most of the rebuild. If that's the case do you guys think I could do it myself? Any tips on what to disassemble? What to use to clean it with (obviously...carburetor cleaner).

If I do need parts is the damage easily identifiable?

Are parts relatively easy to find? Is this a NAPA deal or do I go to Weber?

Also...it's a Weber 38MM carb.

 

I did my own (a 2100) a few summers ago for the first time. I bought the rebuild kit from NAPA. I had a large table top and carefully removed all the parts and set them in order on the table. I also purchased a gallon of carb cleaner since it has a basket for parts that can be soaked over night etc. The kit I bought also had directions, but I read through the TSM to get familiar with the whole process.

Overall it was pretty easy. I just went slow and kept the manual close by. I took it apart in the afternoon, soaked some parts over night, then put it back together the next morning. Total cost was probably close to $50 between the parts kit and carb cleaner.

 

Its easy if you have mechanical ability and do the research.

http://www.youtube.com/results?sear....0j1.1.0...0.0...1ac.1.11.youtube.lzGWrgdbiCg

 

When I was a mechanic (15 years) I rebuilt a lot of carbs. If your parts are ok, I.E. the base and other moving parts not warn loose causing permanent vacuum leaks, you can just clean and reassemble with new gaskets. Before you even buy a kit though, I' check the base where the butterfly pivot rod goes through. If it's wallowed out it will leak vacuum and will have to be replaced. In most cases a base plate is about the same as a whole carb.

Scott