Throttle Shaft Bushing Questions

[Rhoderman]

Yesterday, I pulled apart my "previously unmolested" carb from my 126. I knew the shaft was way sloppy, like 20 thousandths or more.

I found that both brass screws were loose, but still riveted enough to keep them from coming completely out. Scary. I cut the riveted parts off and backed them out. They were so worn from constant wiggling that the 3-48 threads were no longer there on the screws. The shaft still has decent 3-48 threads.

I noticed that the recessed area where everyone puts the bronze bushing still had what looked like a fine foam black gasket. It crumbled when I touched it though. Was that some sort of OEM seal to keep it from sucking air or dirt?

I went to the local hardware store, McGuckin's, to see if I could find 3-48 brass screws and the Hillman bushing mentioned here on the forums. McG's is a HUGE hardware store. They have everything! Except 3-48 x 1/4 brass round head screws and Hillman bushings that is. I bought some stainless 3-48 screws and some zinc plated steel of the same.

Should I use the stainless steel screws with Loctite, or should I keep searching for brass screws instead? I don't think I could effectively rivet the SS, and if I did, someone might hate me in 25 years when they try to tear it down.

I also bought a bronze oil-lite bushing that was 1/4 ID, 7/16 OD, but 1" long. I can part that off in the lathe and be home free.

But I got to thinking. What if I were to make the shaft bushing out of Teflon? I have some Teflon rod stock, 1/2". Would a bushing made of that last longer or work better? It seems like wear would be minimal. Fuel resistance is excellent. I can make it 0.247 to fit the shaft unlike the bronze bushing .250, and make it a nice snug fit in the 7/16 bore of the carb.

Does the Teflon bushing sound like a good idea to any of you? Has anyone tried it with success or failure? All comments are welcome!

Space age material in an old cub tractor? Hmmmm?

Thanks,

Jim