The Ford Barn

waltere · 03-11-2014, 03:54 AM

Ok guys I need some help!! Trying to learn! Getting ready to fire up my first flatmotor build. I have a pair of original 97's that I had profesionaly rebuilt. They have been setting for about a 2 years. Electric fuel pump, fuel regulator set at 3 psi, fuel presure guage says just a little over 3 psi, one carb is nice and dry but the second carb is running gas out around the top plate and i can see fuel dripping inside the pot. Where do I start. I do not want to try to start the motor until I get to the bottom of the problem.
Thanks in advance
Walter

JWL · 03-11-2014, 05:19 AM

Well, the problem, of course, is that the needle valve is not stopping the fuel flow when the fuel level reaches the correct height in the float bowl. That is the general problem---the specific cause will need to be determined. Either of several possibilities exist. The needle and seat are within the brass inlet fitting in the side of your float bowls. The needle can be stuck, the float can be leaking and filling with fuel, the needle engagement arm from the float can be improperly adjusted, the needle might not be coordinated with the seat, there can be dirt, crud, etc. preventing proper operation, and the needle or seat can be defective.

I would remove the air horn and fuel inlet fitting and begin an examination. Since you had the carbs "professionally rebuilt", ask the professional for his opinion.

Terry,OH · 03-11-2014, 05:41 AM

Drop fuel pressure so it is 2 to 2-1/2#. A bit above 3 is too high. This may not solve the problem but is where the pressure should be.

waltere · 03-11-2014, 06:52 AM

the brass fitting that holds thhe needle and seat just unscrews as an assemble is that correct?

Terry,OH · 03-11-2014, 07:15 AM

Yes it unscrews, they are three pieces so hold the larger brass fitting downward while unscrewing so the needle comes out with it, the gasket will come off with the inlet fitting.

waltere · 03-11-2014, 07:53 AM

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I will take it apart after work. Thanks for the help!

waltere · 03-11-2014, 10:00 PM

mission acomplished! I am not certian what I found but there was like a clear snot in the needle and seat. The intire system is new so i just do not know where it came from. 3 psi and no leaks so I think I am good to go.
Thanks
Walter

Matt in Alameda · 03-11-2014, 11:42 PM

I agree with Terry in that you need to drop that fuel pressure down to 2# to 2.5#.....Matt in Alameda

waltere · 03-12-2014, 08:21 AM

I will take the advise and set the pressure back to 2.5psi and see how it works. Thanks for the help! I am certian I will need more in the future.
Walter

oj · 03-12-2014, 08:41 AM

Set the pressure with the engine running, if the engine is not idling the pressure readings will be falsely high due to 'pressure' creep.

funrunr · 03-12-2014, 09:07 AM

3# was too high for my brand new 97's, lowered to 2½# and no problems since.Good luck with your flathead.

flatjack9 · 03-12-2014, 09:32 AM

Just how accurate are these gauges? Do you trust it for 1/2 psi?

funrunr · 03-12-2014, 09:36 AM

I trust it enough when dialed down my carbs quit leaking out the acc pump

waltere · 03-13-2014, 08:22 AM

Ok! Now more help please. Fuel system is working and not leaking. I pulled the drain plug (fresh engine never had oil in it) to prelub the oiling system and and I had a about a quart of fuel run out the bottom of the engine. What have I damaged since this. The engine was not turned over so I would asume the gas evaporated from the cylinders. Advise would be appreciated.
Thanks
Walter

Walt Dupont--Me. · 03-13-2014, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waltere

Ok! Now more help please. Fuel system is working and not leaking. I pulled the drain plug (fresh engine never had oil in it) to prelub the oiling system and and I had a about a quart of fuel run out the bottom of the engine. What have I damaged since this. The engine was not turned over so I would asume the gas evaporated from the cylinders. Advise would be appreciated.
Thanks
Walter

You haven't hurt anything. It would be nice if you had a pressure tank to prelube the engine. Fill it up with oil and fire it up. Walt

waltere · 03-13-2014, 10:16 AM

Thanks Walt! I used a tool a budy loned me and it uses a chevy oil pump driven by an electric motor. I plumed into the oile sener and pumped about 2 quarts through the motor that way.

oj · 03-13-2014, 02:24 PM

With the drain plug out did you run the fuel pump to see if you were still getting fuel into the engine?
A quart of fuel seems excessive for just one carb to have leaked past stuck needle & seat. Although it wouldn't take much fuel to look like a quart.

waltere · 03-13-2014, 03:28 PM

I did check and it stayed dry with the pump running. I soaked up the gas and it took the most part of a bath towl. Not an exact measurement but it seemed big when it was running out

oj · 03-13-2014, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waltere;840737[B

]I did check and it stayed dry with the pump running. [/B]I soaked up the gas and it took the most part of a bath towl. Not an exact measurement but it seemed big when it was running out

Thats the important thing. No need to quatify unless you are accounting for gas missing from the tank, and you aren't. It seemed like a lot of fuel and thats why I asked.

waltere · 03-13-2014, 04:54 PM

I realy apreciate the help. This probably a more Hamb freindly flathead but it certianly seems that when I need nuts and bolts help the Barn is where it is at. I know about enough about a flathead to be dangerous but I do want to learn. My Brother in law (Mr. Merc.) is comeing down and going to help me fire the motor tomarrow night. It is going to be a family event. 3 states will be represented. Actualy it will take that much BS and bench talk to make it happen.
If I have more questions I will be back!!

03-11-2014, 03:54 AM	#1
waltere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 135	carb help Ok guys I need some help!! Trying to learn! Getting ready to fire up my first flatmotor build. I have a pair of original 97's that I had profesionaly rebuilt. They have been setting for about a 2 years. Electric fuel pump, fuel regulator set at 3 psi, fuel presure guage says just a little over 3 psi, one carb is nice and dry but the second carb is running gas out around the top plate and i can see fuel dripping inside the pot. Where do I start. I do not want to try to start the motor until I get to the bottom of the problem. Thanks in advance Walter

03-11-2014, 05:19 AM	#2
JWL Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia Posts: 2,204	Re: carb help Well, the problem, of course, is that the needle valve is not stopping the fuel flow when the fuel level reaches the correct height in the float bowl. That is the general problem---the specific cause will need to be determined. Either of several possibilities exist. The needle and seat are within the brass inlet fitting in the side of your float bowls. The needle can be stuck, the float can be leaking and filling with fuel, the needle engagement arm from the float can be improperly adjusted, the needle might not be coordinated with the seat, there can be dirt, crud, etc. preventing proper operation, and the needle or seat can be defective. I would remove the air horn and fuel inlet fitting and begin an examination. Since you had the carbs "professionally rebuilt", ask the professional for his opinion.

03-11-2014, 05:41 AM	#3
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,786	Re: carb help Drop fuel pressure so it is 2 to 2-1/2#. A bit above 3 is too high. This may not solve the problem but is where the pressure should be.

03-11-2014, 06:52 AM	#4
waltere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 135	Re: carb help the brass fitting that holds thhe needle and seat just unscrews as an assemble is that correct?

03-11-2014, 07:15 AM	#5
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,786	Re: carb help Yes it unscrews, they are three pieces so hold the larger brass fitting downward while unscrewing so the needle comes out with it, the gasket will come off with the inlet fitting.

03-11-2014, 07:53 AM	#6
waltere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 135	Re: carb help Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I will take it apart after work. Thanks for the help!

03-11-2014, 10:00 PM	#7
waltere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 135	Re: carb help mission acomplished! I am not certian what I found but there was like a clear snot in the needle and seat. The intire system is new so i just do not know where it came from. 3 psi and no leaks so I think I am good to go. Thanks Walter

03-11-2014, 11:42 PM	#8
Matt in Alameda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alameda, California Posts: 335	Re: carb help I agree with Terry in that you need to drop that fuel pressure down to 2# to 2.5#.....Matt in Alameda

03-12-2014, 08:21 AM	#9
waltere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 135	Re: carb help I will take the advise and set the pressure back to 2.5psi and see how it works. Thanks for the help! I am certian I will need more in the future. Walter

03-12-2014, 08:41 AM	#10
oj Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 293	Re: carb help Set the pressure with the engine running, if the engine is not idling the pressure readings will be falsely high due to 'pressure' creep.

03-12-2014, 09:07 AM	#11
funrunr Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Belleville,MI Posts: 1,435	Re: carb help 3# was too high for my brand new 97's, lowered to 2½# and no problems since.Good luck with your flathead. __________________ Thank God this is only a hobby!

03-12-2014, 09:32 AM	#12
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,539	Re: carb help Just how accurate are these gauges? Do you trust it for 1/2 psi?

03-12-2014, 09:36 AM	#13
funrunr Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Belleville,MI Posts: 1,435	Re: carb help I trust it enough when dialed down my carbs quit leaking out the acc pump __________________ Thank God this is only a hobby!

03-13-2014, 08:22 AM	#14
waltere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 135	Re: carb help Ok! Now more help please. Fuel system is working and not leaking. I pulled the drain plug (fresh engine never had oil in it) to prelub the oiling system and and I had a about a quart of fuel run out the bottom of the engine. What have I damaged since this. The engine was not turned over so I would asume the gas evaporated from the cylinders. Advise would be appreciated. Thanks Walter

03-13-2014, 10:16 AM	#16
waltere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 135	Re: carb help Thanks Walt! I used a tool a budy loned me and it uses a chevy oil pump driven by an electric motor. I plumed into the oile sener and pumped about 2 quarts through the motor that way.

03-13-2014, 02:24 PM	#17
oj Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 293	Re: carb help With the drain plug out did you run the fuel pump to see if you were still getting fuel into the engine? A quart of fuel seems excessive for just one carb to have leaked past stuck needle & seat. Although it wouldn't take much fuel to look like a quart.

03-13-2014, 03:28 PM	#18
waltere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 135	Re: carb help I did check and it stayed dry with the pump running. I soaked up the gas and it took the most part of a bath towl. Not an exact measurement but it seemed big when it was running out

03-13-2014, 04:54 PM	#20
waltere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 135	Re: carb help I realy apreciate the help. This probably a more Hamb freindly flathead but it certianly seems that when I need nuts and bolts help the Barn is where it is at. I know about enough about a flathead to be dangerous but I do want to learn. My Brother in law (Mr. Merc.) is comeing down and going to help me fire the motor tomarrow night. It is going to be a family event. 3 states will be represented. Actualy it will take that much BS and bench talk to make it happen. If I have more questions I will be back!!