Leaking Carburetor - need advice
Car is a 1965 L76 that sat for 1.5 years without running (needed a battery). Installed new battery and started it up Ran fine, however, carb was leaking gas onto manifold. Immediately shut it down and soaked up gas. Leaks appeared to be front and back and coming from fuel bowls. I have not had the air cleaner off to inspect for certain. I have never rebuilt a carburator but am not intimidated to try. Will the gaskets swell now to stop leak, should I try to tighten the bowl screws, or should I rebuild with new gaskets?
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Re: Leaking Carburetor - need advice
It'll cost nothing to tighten the bowls. If leak persists, install a kit, new gaskets etc. -
Re: Leaking Carburetor - need advice
It is not difficult. The hardest part in my opinion is removing the old gasket material. Make sure you use the "blue" gaskets and Moroso washers on the bowl screws. The previous poster is correct -- try tightening the bowl screws first. Maybe even just replace the bowl screw washers. It also could be our accelerator pump gasket.Comment
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Re: Leaking Carburetor - need advice
Philip, Be carful when tightening the bowl screws as to not strip the threads. I have had some leaking in the spring on my carb and it was the float bowl screws with the new plastic washers. Never could get it not to leak so Bob kunz sent me a bunch of rubber washers and fixed the leak. IMO the screws did not get loose from sitting so just tightening up is not the answer. Good luck
GregComment
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Re: Leaking Carburetor - need advice
Remove the air cleaner and tighten up the four bowl screws on front and rear bowls. As already stated, don't over tighten, just a good snug fit. If the accelerator pump leaks, remove the carb and also tighten up these screws. Then re-install with a new carb to manifold gasket.
It is a good idea to check the bowl screws frequently during the year anyway, especially if the weather turns cool/cold.......like during the fall and winter months.
And don't let your car sit so long...................
LarryComment
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Re: Leaking Carburetor - need advice
Do what John says. Also torque on those bowl screws is 30 INCH lbs.Comment
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Re: Leaking Carburetor - need advice
But first advice is to remove air cleaner and determine location of leak. If it's more complicated than bowl gaskets (and have to know how to do this correctly without messing something up) and you aren't comfortable dealing with it, might want to send it to one of the rebuilders named in other threads who get good reviews- Jerry McNeich, or Vintage Muscle Car Parts guyComment
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Re: Leaking Carburetor - need advice
Thanks for all the replies. Have not gotten a chance to work on car. I intend to remove the air cleaner and tighten the bowl screws to 30 INCH lbs. Fortunately, I do have and inch/lb screwdriver so shouldn't strip any threads. If this doesn't resolve the issue I will remove the carb and have it serviced.Comment
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Re: Leaking Carburetor - need advice
Update and additional advice needed. I have tightened the bowl screws to 30 inch/lb. All screws turned more than expected. I started car and no more leaks from fuel bowls. There is a fuel leak from the passenger side of throttle body; I am assuming this is the accelerator pump. The car was running very rich, rough, and would not maintain idle speed. I noticed fuel flowing (was more than a drip) from the forward venturis onto the butterflies. I think a rebuild may be the best path forward. Can anyone recommend a good rebuilder on Long Island, NY?Comment
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Re: Leaking Carburetor - need advice
You probably have a stuck float in the secondary or a piece of junk not allowing the seating.
As as far as a rebuilder, there's a good guy in Stony Brook. I'll have to find the name again unless Vinnie Peters has it.
I have had this happen and sometimes you can see the fuel dripping in the secondary or the primary. You can try running the engine at a higher rpm and then putting a clean rag over the top of the carb until the engine almost (or does) quit. If it's just dirt this will suck it out. My mechanic calls this the quick Holley rebuild. :-)
Rich1966 L79 Convertible. Milano Maroon
1968 L71 Coupe. Rally Red (Sold 6/21)
1963 Corvair Monza ConvertibleComment
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Re: Leaking Carburetor - need advice
Try Bob Zorn
work number 631-360-8326
in Nesconset. I have other numbers for him if that doesn't work, but would rather not post them now as this is listed as his work number. PM me if that number doesn't work.
Rich1966 L79 Convertible. Milano Maroon
1968 L71 Coupe. Rally Red (Sold 6/21)
1963 Corvair Monza ConvertibleComment
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Re: Leaking Carburetor - need advice
Another Long Island Carb service that came recommended many years ago by Kevin Mackay is
Allstate Carburetor and Fuel Injection,
143 Brightside Ave, Central Islip, NY 11722
(631) 234-8327
I have used them in the past and found them very goodComment
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Re: Leaking Carburetor - need advice
There are plenty of you tube videos on the subject of rebuilding a Holley carburetor on line for the beginner. Just be sure to get quality Holley kit/gaskets for the rebuild.Comment
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Re: Leaking Carburetor - need advice
Follow Gene's advice and rebuild it yourself. Holley's are the simplest carb. to rebuild. Spray the fuel bowl and metering block gaskets with WD40 prior to assembly. That way, there's no stuck gaskets if you need to dis-assemble. This applies to both the cork and the blue gaskets that are available.Comment
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