Drippy Carb

[SteveS]

I've finally caught the bugger dripping fuel. I ran the engine for 10 minutes at idle and then shut if off. The engine was not up to full temp yet but after waiting a good 5 minutes it started to drip out of the venturi above the throttle plate. Obviously this leaves a bad fuel smell and results in a flooded condition.

Besides readjusting the float lower and inspecting the needle valve and seat is there anything else? Just how low should I go with this. It's currently set even with the top of the float bowl per the Motor Manual for California. The other 49 states are set a bit lower, I don't remember how much.

It's a 82 with the 1946 holley.

 

[fordconvert]

Most of my older (carbed) engines have this problem and it seems to be due to the alcohol (and other crap) in the fuel. If I seek out and pay extra for gas without ethonol its only a problem on real hot days when parked in the sun. Since you are in CA I assume you have at least your fair share of alcohol and other emissions goodies in the fuel which dont seem to get along well in older (non efi/computer) cars. On my 73 Cadillac I installed an electric fan infront of the radiator that is hooked to a mechanical timer that I set to about 15 minutes every time I shut it off hot. Does the trick 99% of the time. If I dont set it there is a 50% it will flood bad enough that it wont restart till it cools. I have just put a rebuilt engine with another rebuilt carb in this same car and it has the exact same problem, its just a hot running motor (500 cuin) that doesnt like fuel with low boiling points.

 

[ludwig]

California regular: 10% corn squeezin's by law.

 

[Anonymous]

I had similar smelly problems on a six a few years ago.

The cause there was once the engine got hot, the fuel bowls warped even more. Years ago, someone got overactive in tightening down the bowl bolts and that caused a warp at each corner.

Did a bit of body and fender work on the caps, and then when screwed em' down I could see the cork gaskets mush out in the center. Even from the top.


But, when the car was cold, never saw one drop go onto the manifold.


Wm.

 

[SteveS]

I've finally solved the problem. The float was set at NON-California setting. i.e. the heel was set even with the top of the float bowl vice the toe. The heel is closest to the pivot point and it's also lower than the toe so the bowl was overflowing when off.

I reset the float so that the toe (furthest from the pivot) was 1/16" below the top of the bowl. It runs great and no drips!

I've finally got it right and I've got way too good at removing and reinstalling the carb. Even with all the vacuum lines and electrical wires getting it off is now a 5 minute process!