Holley 1904 observations

[Fred]

I am currently in the middle of rebuilding the glass bowl carb from my '53 sedan with a 215 six motor. The car has been sitting for a couple years now due to lack of time etc. The recent discussions about flooding problems with these carbs led me to look closely at the needle and seat parts. The last (first) time I rebuilt this carburetor I used a kit that had to be twenty years old. That was six years ago. This time I was handed a much more recent looking kit. The seat part has some notable differences. The hole drilled for the gas to flow through on the new part is twice the diameter of the hole on the old part, so you get four times the flow of gasoline into the carburetor. In the new part the hole into which the needle seats is off center. I think the combination of both of these changes would make a carburetor very prone to flooding. I will use the old seat with the new needle. I will update this thread when I get the car running again to let you know if I have a flooding problem running without a pressure regulator.

 

[jahearne]

I'd be interested to know because I'm in the process of rebuilding my 1904.

 

[Daves55Courier]

WOW. I probably wouldnt have been able to see this even with my magnifying glass. Its a struggle to see small details anymore. I used to enjoy perfect vision and catch stuff like that.

I will definitely be watching for your results.

 

[Fred]

After action report:

No flooding so far. The fuel fills the bowl untill the level is even with the top of a little rectangle shape cast into the glass bowl. I have not tested the pressure comming out of the fuel pump lately, but the last time I tested it I got 4 1/2 p.s.i.

 

[jahearne]

Thanks for the info. I compared an old Wizard kit ( Western Auto ) seat wit the original and it too is twice as big at least it's centered. The kit also comes with a Viton ( Du Pont Reg. T.M. ) rubber needle. I also have two carbs that are Wizard rebuilds and I bet they have the seats with larger holes.

I'll compare them, but leave the two carbs as they came out of the box and rebuild the one with the original seat or with one in good shape. BTW, these are going on an Offy triple carb'd 250, three glass bowl Holley 1904s.

Take care,