Fuel Line to the Carb - Liquid Sealer?

[MikeTarr]

I was just wondering if it's ok that we put a liquid sealer on where the fuel line connects to the carburetor? We were having issues of it leaking when we started the car. Originally we took the carb to a shop that takes them apart and cleans it up and puts it back together. So they cleaned ours and we put it back on today and connected the fuel line with the exension(fitting), and it was squirting out gas repeatedly as the engine ran. We tried plummers tape and nothing worked. So my dad went to this last resort and used liquid sealer and let it dry for about 1 day in a heated lamp.

Now when he starts it it's not leaking there, but squirting up gas.

Does anyone know why this could be happening? And was it not good that we used sealer to seal the connection of the fuel line and carb? Or was that ok.

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.
Here are some pictures of the connection below

 

[Bort62]

Liquid Sealer? That looks a whole lot like JB weld...

But regardless, No - that is not a problem.

Your using Teflon tape on the inverted flare nut however, is. It may be gumming up the threads enough to prevent you from getting a good seal and is not doing you any good.

Flare fittings do not use the thread as a seal.

I do not understand that description of your problem however. Squirting gas up? Up where from where?

 

[Mercury Mike]

If gas is shooting straight out, specifically out of the hole where the vent-valve rod goes, or up out through the air horn, you have a hole in your float, and it's sinking. Take the float out, find the hole, use some jb-qwik or some jb-weld depending on how much time you have, on the holes, and once it's settled, you should be good as new to reset the float and go from there. Could you explain your problem more if I didn't understand it correctly?

 

[phoenix02]

Geez Mike, sounding like an expert when I was the one that figured out that problem...

For everyone else, Mike knows about that little issue because we were trying to get my car to run and it kept flooding out like that- REAL bad. that's when we discovered the float issue. The way we found out was to take the float out and shake it around alittle- if it sloshes, you found your porblem. Make sure you use enough sealant on the thing- we didn't the first time and had to reJB it a second time. Also, make sure you gently squeeze the float to get all the fluid out or it won't float right. Or go get another float- that's what I would have done, but it was 2AM and the 24hr Autozone didn't have any in stock. Either way works.

-Michaek

 

[Mercury Mike]

Yerrrrp. Mike is right, it was all him. Nonetheless, I came out of it with a new bit of knowledge. =) Btw Mike, I'll be out there probably around 1 pm.

 

[Anonymous]

you could also solder the holes in a brass float

 

[fordconvert]

Guys am I right that the carb has a straight thread and uses a gasket? And that adaptor is to change to the tapperd thread that the fuel filter uses. So the carb should have a gasket and the adaptor could use something like tape? So what he has is a missing gasket in the carb and has the wrong type of fittings everywhere else?

 

[phoenix02]

Nawww- it wasn't all me- I'm just giving you a hard time. Heck, with the rest of the stuff you guys helped me with, if you hadn't come out, I'd probably still be stuck there!

1PM sounds good- see you then! Give me a call when you get up here if you need directions.

-Michael

 

[MikeTarr]

Ok guys, new update....My dad failed to give me the full details of what happened when he started up the car. Apparently in the picture below, the gas was pouring out of that whole, and comin out where the gasket is(inbetween the top and bottom peace of the carb). He said there was apparently a crap load of pressure in there because no way was this possible for it to pour and shoot out like it was. Gas everywhere he said. So there was pressure in that carb, and in the picture below that points to where it was comin out. So any ideas as to what could be causing this pressure? Thanks ALOT for your previous help, but we checked and the float had no whole in it, or any issues. So ya any ideas now, now that I've given the entire details of the problem? Thanks alot guys

 

[phoenix02]

I would suggest rechecking that float- set it in a cup of fuel for a little while then swish it around. Same problem we were having with my carb. Your only other options is a bad needle valve sticking open- maybe the sealant dripped into the intake and stuck the valve? Or the fuel pump is putting out too much pressure, forcing the needle valve open. Also, it's doubtable that the gasket surface was leaking, onless you have multiple stripped screws- I thought the same thing, but upon further inspection when we were working on it, the fule was coming out of everwhere else and it really looked like it was coming out between the top & bottom. From the tank to the fuel bowl, all you have is the pump, a filter, the needle valve and the float to close the valve. It has to be one of those things for it to be blowing that much fuel out.

Good luck,
Michael

 

[MikeTarr]

That makes alot of sense. Either the float is set too high, or the needle isnt closing for some reason, or there is too much pressure in the fuel pump. Either way its causing the fuel to overflow and go through that whole. Is there any possible way that I could find out if the fuel pump is pumping too much?

Also, I replaced the needle that stops the fuel from coming in, and well the other one I couldnt see like any damage to it. If the needle was no good would I be able to see that? Or would I not realy know. Well anyway I got a carb kit and replaced the needle.

 

[phoenix02]

Make sure the needle valve is seated properly, not stripped or loose at all. Frm there, put the needle in the valve and the float back on, turn it upside down so the float closes the needle and blow through the fuel inlet. The needle should seat and seal, preventing you from blowing through, or if you're a trumpet player or something, at least make it very difficult. If that tests out, you know the needle is seated and sealing properly. Next, go to an auto parts store and pick up a fuel pressure gauge. The spectre ones at Autozone or Kragen are about $10- they're not the most accurate, but they'll give you an idea if the pressure is too low or too high. you're aiming for 3psi, I believe- I'll have to look at my Motor's Manual again to confirm. Set your float level and put everything back together. Fire her up and see what the pressure is at- if it's good, you know the pump isn't to blame. After the needle blowing thing, you're relatively certain the needle valve is sealing properly, so you're down to the float. Set it lower so it closes sooner and see if that makes any difference. If not, revisit the bad float idea.

That's pretty much all I can think of for now. Good luck!

-Michael

 

[simon]

.
Here are some pictures of the connection below

Originally, FoMoCo used their fuel filter FG14C as a connector here.
Those don't need any additional sealant or teflon tape 'cause the threaded part is conically shaped.

Anyhow, I'd check both bowl and carb top for warpage. Shouldn't leak around the gasket line, no matter what.

 

[Bort62]

IIRC, my ranchero's fuel pressure was around 6-7 psi...


But a leaky needle valve will do exactly like you describe. I have seen it before. I would fully investigate that first.

It would be hard for the fuel pump to all the sudden start pumping at a higher pressure.

 

[mkgcars]

It's worth checking the fuel pressure.
I went through this and I'd replace the needle and that would be fine for 2, 3 sometimes 6 months, and then flood-city again. Turned out my fuel pump was putting out 8-9 lbs.

I also had a problem with the fitting to the carb. I ended up using blue threadlock on it -but it did come loose when I decided to replace the fuel line with a new one - as I wondered if the older line was an issue and I wanted to be done with issues. So, I need to re-apply the threadlock in the spring.

In the end for me the fuel pump and the fitting solved the issues.

One more thing. The hole you have circled in the picture - the original carbs had a rod that fit into there, which was used for venting. When you have the vent rod it attaches to the arms on the right side which stick up from the accel pump.
Typically it should have a plug in it if you don't have the vent rod. If that doesn't have any type of plug then fuel can slosh out of it. You would really want to plug that. If you're concerned about having some venting then make a small hole in the plug. I'd imagine that a carb shop might be able to help out with a plug.

good luck, keep us posted.
matt

 

[fordconvert]

On that vent tube thing.... if you put a plug in the outside visable part you are fine, the rod just went through that hole. The vent does a 90* turn and goes up into the top of the air inlet just above the choke.