Holley fuel bowl fill

[Steve D.]

I have been chasing what I think is a carburetor problem, and as part of the elimination process I decided to install a different carburetor to see if that makes the problem go away. The carburetor I installed is a Holley 4160 (600 CFM) that I had on the shelf. I cleaned it and freshened it up with a kit (gaskets, needles & seats, etc). I dry set the floats per Holley instructions. Before I tried to start it, I turned it over with a remote starter to get fuel in the bowls. I left the sight plugs out so that I could check the float levels. After a number of turns, fuel ran out of the sight hole on the primary bowl. I adjusted the needle, bumped it again and still had fuel come out when it was bumped. I made a further adjustment to make sure the needle would seat, but got the same result. My question is... am I going about this wrong? if everything is working correctly (i.e. float set properly, bowl full, with needle on seat), I should be able to turn the engine over without having fuel running out of the sight plug hole; is that correct?

Steve

[William F.]

Re: Holley fuel bowl fill

You may well have a pin hole in the float letting it sink and keep needle off seat. Remove float, shake it to see if it contains gas. I had this happen on 2 NEW Holley carbs.

[Gene M.]

Re: Holley fuel bowl fill

Steve
The sight hole should have fuel at the bottom of the hole while the car is running. That will also allow time for the excess fuel level to get consumed. Keep a rag under the hole to catch drippings while doing this. But yes you are heading in the right direction.

[Steve D.]

Re: Holley fuel bowl fill

Thanks. I require periodic reassurance when sailing uncharted waters.

[Steve D.]

Re: Holley fuel bowl fill

Another self-inflicted wound. I used the Holley guideline for adjusting brass and nitrophyl floats instead of the specs for duracon (plastic), which I apparently have. Interesting that the primary levels are different by a factor of 2: brass/nitrophyl 7/64" and plastic 7/32". I got the adjustment made and all appears well.