WCFB flooding

[Gene D.]

My 1961 270HP car has recently rebuilt (professionally) WCFB carbs. With only 200 miles on the engine since the restoration, my front carb is dumping raw fuel from both the primary and secondary sides. Since the rear carb is OK, I assume that excess fuel pressure is not the issue. I've rechecked the float levels and condition, and the needle/seat appear to be fine. The fuel filter had some sediment in it, but the carb appears to be clean.

[Roy B.]

Re: WCFB flooding

My 1961 270HP car has recently rebuilt (professionally) WCFB carbs. With only 200 miles on the engine since the restoration, my front carb is dumping raw fuel from both the primary and secondary sides. Since the rear carb is OK, I assume that excess fuel pressure is not the issue. I've rechecked the float levels and condition, and the needle/seat appear to be fine. The fuel filter had some sediment in it, but the carb appears to be clean.

Floats rubbing the housing (miss-aligned ) dont close the needle and seat =recheck that. with the engine off remove the side screw and see if fuel pours out

[Gene D.]

Re: WCFB flooding

I'll check that. I do have fuel spill when removing the side screws, plus some leakage from the gasket area on the driver's side. I reset the floats to ride lower (more clearance from the top of the air horn) and that seemed to help, but at a friend's suggestion I ran it at 3500 rpm down the freeway then coasted up the exit ramp which caused immediate rough idle. When I got home the fuel dump was again present.

[Rob M.]

Re: WCFB flooding

Anyone able to help out Gene here???

[Roy B.]

Re: WCFB flooding

Just because they were rebuilt don't mean there Correct ! Mistakes can happen , if it were me I first check the floats not (rubbing the housing) , check the float level by removing the side screws (no fuel poring out ) , check the metering rods and hanger for correct adjustment (and size) , determine the gaskets are correct (same as the ones I removed) and base intake to Carb gasket . Then if all that is OK fuel pump pressure , then if that don't correct it and I had some one els rebuild it SEND IT BACK.

[Jack H.]

Re: WCFB flooding

Amen, Roy!

Many 'restore' and 'rebuild' carbs, but few have a flow bench OR mount and run their finished product on a 'mule' engine to grade their own report card...

Then, even those who DO go to this level of due diligence, face the issues of the owner's car being setup correctly. WCFB carbs have a propensity to flood when fuel line pressure is too high (fuel bowl needle can't seat properly to shut off the supply line).

One of the most common reasons for poor performance with a properly restored WCFB is the owner's engine has a generic aftermarket fuel pump that's putting out too much pressure compared to the factory stock original fuel pump...

[John L.]

Re: WCFB flooding

My experience with these carbs are (They are very old):
1. They don't like neoprene tipped needle/seats.
2. The possiblility of a bad (leaking) float.

[Richard M.]

Re: WCFB flooding

Just a thought.....
It's possible that the float(s) have a pinhole and fuel is leaking in. Had this happen on an old Chris Craft Zenith carb once. Drove me crazy until I shook the float in my hand and heard fuel sloshing around. Drilled the pinhole bigger to drain it, then silver soldered it shut.(with a soldering gun!)

Rich