Carb issues...

[red_stang65]

Hey folks, my first post asking for advice. Usually I can find other people who've asked the same questions but this time looks like i've got to come up with it myself.

First off, I've got a fairly plain-jane 200 ci with a once-rebuilt autolite 1100 on the log. Nothing dramatic done yet (maybe later...?). Anywho, I started it up this morning (better yet...tried to start it up) and the engine seemed as if it were flooded. "Strange," I thought as the last time I drove it was over 12 hours ago...When I opened the hood there were quite a few puddles of fuel on the intake log and quite a stench of spilt fuel all over.

Promtly pulling off the air cleaner showed the carb covered in fuel and some dripping from the throttle linkage (not sure if it was from saturation or b/c there's a leak, though). I spent some time trying to readjust the idle screws but to no avail. After making sure the float wasn't sticking and re-tightening all the screws around, the problem still persists. I've gotten the engine to start a few times but boy, oh boy, does it not like running. The engine is running very rough and I have to keep the throttle down about half way to keep it going. Also, plenty of white smoke coming through the pipes (running very rich, I'm sure) and there's always a lot of fuel covering the carb after shut off.

So, I've bought a rebuild kit after searching all day long for someone selling a new/used 1100 without success. I'm trying not to have to go to Pony Carbs just yet as I'm saving that for when I start my offy upgrade. Any ideas on what's going on?!

It's worked wonderfully for the past two years or so and suddenly went to heck just this morning, any ideas?

Sorry for the long post...just thought I'd be thourough in my descriptions, though.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice by the way!

~Bobby

 

[CobraSix]

Bobby, sounds like you may need a new carb or rebuild the one you got.

It sounds like you have a leak that is leaking fuel into your engine. Also, try adjusting the idle air/fuel mix. sometimes it can come out of whack. That's happened to me before.

The white smoke means you're trying to burn water in your engine. That means either a head gasket is blown, or bad gas. Rich is black smoke.

So, I would check your oil and see if you have any water there (will say if you have a blown head gasket) and if not, check your gas tank for bad gas.

Slade

 

[Anonymous]

If the float isn't sticking, you might check the accelerator pump, sometimes a piece of junk gets stuck in there, and the pump will let fuel run right down the carb throat.

 

[BIGREDRASA]

Change your float, the often forgotten part of a rebuild. Find a brass float, if you can.

 

[red_stang65]

Thanks all for the great help. I'm going to be rebuilding it this afternoon and see where that gets me. Fortunately I've got a spare (albeit worn down) 1100 sitting on the bench I can try and scavenge some other parts from that aren't in the rebuild kit. If this doesn't work, looks like I'll just have to open some catalogs and look for some new carbs.

Slade, thanks for the info about the smoke. My engine has had a nasty oil leak across the head for as long as I can remember. I've even replaced the head gasket twice but the problem is still there (possible milling problem?). Thanks again, though.

~Bobby

 

[CobraSix]

bobby,

either your head is warped, you engine wasn't decked properly, or your head bolts aren't torqued properly. Another suspect is the valve cover gasket actually. I've had that leak a lot and it made me think it was a head gasket problem and it turned out to be the valve cover and gasket. If there is an oil leak, I would think you have a leaky valve cover gasket. I think the 2 problems are unrelated.

Slade

 

[Anonymous]

hey there, i had almost the same problem with both my carbs, so i yanked my Motorcraft (which i still can't find a rebuild kit for but i need to) and rebuilt my Autolite with a pretty good kit from www.johnsmustang.com try looking there if you need a rebuilt Autolite pretty cheap. They have a pretty good selection and are very helpful. any questions just ask me
~Chris

 

[Anonymous]

sorry i forgot to add that it was a problem with the fuel float level and the mixture screws, make sure that you dont seat them to hard or you could strip them and have to rebuild it all over again, oops

 

[red_stang65]

Alrighty, everything's ok folks...nothing to see here.

Actually, I just rebuilt the carb yesterday and everything's looking good. All I need to do now is some more fine tuning to get the fuel/air mix right but, no more overflow of gas anymore. Unfortunately, I won't be able to do the final adjustments for about three more weeks as it's back to school I must go...

Thanks again everyone for the helpful advice, knew I could count on you all.

~Bobby