Question for those who used China Carbs

[Chris727 2,021]

For those who have used the cheap Chinese carbs to replace a Briggs large flo-jet with 4 screw body, how did you resolve the air cleaner height problem?  I have considered hacking the air cleaner base off completely and installing the steel tube used on the early style Briggs 4-screw flo-jets.

 

[Brettw 1,132]

The only carb I have used that may be from China, as it was very reasonably priced, was a direct replacement.  Other than knowing it's not a NOS carb, you really can't tell the difference between the two.  SO I have had no issues with the air cleaner.

[GregB 941]

I got a Briggs branded carb in a briggs box, not as cheap as no-name china, but not near as expensive as Briggs price at Jacks

It had the little rivet / bushing for the throttle control, but the lever was on backwards,  had to fix that.

Then It worked fine. Maybe it was a "second", from mis-assembly?

 

I used another cheapy, it worked OK after I swapped a throttle shaft/lever in with the rivet bushing.

Interesting, because the China throttle shaft, that carries the plate was steel from China.  Briggs replacement shaft I had on shelf was brass.

[Chris727 2,021]

I too noticed the shaft was steel. More apt to wear the carb body than the shaft. I don't think the Chinese carb has replaceable bushings either. Just more signs of a throwaway world. With hundreds of these carbs sold I'm surprised there are not more reports of problems. I considered putting the briggs shaft in it, but by the time you replace the throttle and choke shafts to make it "proper" for the Simplicity application, you would be close to the price of finding a complete NOS carb or replacing the worn parts on the existing carb.

 

[briggsetc 6]

Your best bet is to stay away from the China carbs. Anyone who got one that worked, the first time, was very lucky. There is a currently a VERY interesting discussion on smokstak at ....  https://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=164098....

The discussion also has  link to Amazon, who is selling them with a lot of bad feedback.

Gary H