So I got one of the carbs apart

[Guest]

and the pilot jet is stripped out from the previous owner.
Is it absolutely necessary to remove this to clean the carb, or can I leave it in and dip it with the carb body?
If I must remove it, how would I go about doing that?

I dont have pics right now since I am at school, but I will try to post some later this evening.

addl info: they are the stock carbs, and as far as I know they are the stock jets.

[Ranger]

You can dip it still, I don't believe theres any rubber except the plug that covers it. It may come out after soaking it anyways.

[Adler]

If you cant get it out, at least try clearing the hole with a pin or piece of wire.

[JCSkokos]

You can dip it still, I don't believe theres any rubber except the plug that covers it. It may come out after soaking it anyways.

It didnt look like it, and the plug came right out. When you say "it may come out after soaking" do you mean the gunk thats in there or the jet itself?

If you cant get it out, at least try clearing the hole with a pin or piece of wire.

yeah, definitely. I used that "special tool" from the carb rebuild manual on this site and it seems to work pretty good.

[Ranger]

The threads might be corroded not allowing it to back out or something similar. Once you soak it the jet may be able to be freed.

[Octain]

Those pilot jet sure are dirty though, really dirty.
Like Ranger said, soak it then it may come right out.
Be REAL sure to use a screwdriver that fits correctly

[hikermikem]

and the pilot jet is stripped out from the previous owner.
Is it absolutely necessary to remove this to clean the carb, or can I leave it in and dip it with the carb body?
If I must remove it, how would I go about doing that?

Lots of threads here about removing stubborn carb bits & the like. Best to remove them if you can, the small passages in the carb body underneath them are most likely gunked up & difficult to clean if the jets aren't removed.

As Ranger said, the jet may come free after dipping. Everyone here has a favorite way of getiing stuck jets out - I like to put penetrating oil (PB Blaster) on it & let it sit overnight. Then, using a good fitting flat blade screwdriver, apply a twisting motion (loosening) while giving the screwdriver a solid whack with a mallet - make sure the carb body is sitting flat on a solid surface when you do this. This essentially mimics the action of an impact driver. Applying heat to the outside of the aluminum tower adjacent to the jet helps sometimes as well.

Others here swear by using left-handed drill bits to remove them, although I have no experience with them.

Good luck - patience is needed.