Need help with Fuel Carb leak

[John M.]

The Holley 3x2 Carb Float Bowl Slotted Screws. My front carb lower driver side one leaking, I changed the gasket with new one and still no joy. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've tighten the crap out of it still leaks. I was thinking of trying some permatex not sure if they have one for fuel parts.

[John M.]

Re: Need help with Fuel Carb leak

someone must have a fix??I'm afraid of damaging the carb if I over tighten it.

[Richard M.]

Re: Need help with Fuel Carb leak

John, did you also use new small black washers for the screws?

If so, and it's only the bowl gasket, I'd try a sealant that's compatible with fuel(& ethanol). It's possible the bowl is distorted and needs to be replaced but I'd try sealing it first.

[Terry M.]

Re: Need help with Fuel Carb leak

The Holley 3x2 Carb Float Bowl Slotted Screws. My front carb lower driver side one leaking, I changed the gasket with new one and still no joy. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've tighten the crap out of it still leaks. I was thinking of trying some permatex not sure if they have one for fuel parts.

I won't get started on trashing Holleys. It wouldn't answer your question. Some of you have heard me say: "The only thing worse than one Holley is three Holleys." Enough on that subject.

Holleys are notorious for fuel bowls, metering blocks and main bodies warping. Increasing torque on the bowl screws only makes the problem worse. Put your fuel bowl on a piece of glass. Do the same with the metering block, if you have one -- both sides. A small machinests straight edge can be used to check the body, but this takes some skill. If you find warpage these pieces can be flattened with some wet or dry sanding paper on the glass, but this will result in removing the plating that protects the aluminum (pot metal) base matel from corrosion, and today's alcohol laden pump gas contains absorbed water along with that alcohol. The part will corrode pretty fast if that plating is not replaced.

The base plate can also warp causing vacuum leaks. Uneven or improper tightening on those thick heat isolators is the primary cause here. Again the glass or machinests straight edge (or both) is necessaryt for warpage. Although the base is silver color I suspect it may be anodized for corrosion protection. Use a pro.

Put the parts on the glass. If they are warppped send the whole carb out to a competent rebuilder. Finding one of those is another subject, but it has been covered frequently here already.

[Edward J.]

Re: Need help with Fuel Carb leak

John, Try a rubber o-ring along with the washer. the ring should be thin type and fit the dia. of the shaft of the bolt and should be installed in front of the sealing washer.

[Jim T.]

Re: Need help with Fuel Carb leak

John I had a Holley fuel leak that I thought at first could be coming from the fuel bowl. Closer inspection it was determined it was leaking from the accelerator pump gasket. Installed a brand new accelerator pump gasket. The accelerator pump was still leaking. The problem was the accelerator pump housing was warped on the edge of where the accelerator pump lever is located. Putting it on a straight edge it was clearly warped. Used one of my spare extras and problem was fixed. The warped accelerator pump housing was new in 1974.

[John M.]

Re: Need help with Fuel Carb leak

John, Try a rubber o-ring along with the washer. the ring should be thin type and fit the dia. of the shaft of the bolt and should be installed in front of the sealing washer.

Had the same thought and found one at the auto parts store the same size as that paper worthless one. Works like a charm, drove it hard tonight for about an hour and she was dry. Thanks for the help, that darn thing was a real PITA.