Tillotson float valve question.

[john charlton]

I need to replace a leaky float valve . Found a new replacement most likely of MACs origen . The pack is dated 12/13/00 and has a notice "stake before fitting" Count Dracula sprung to mind !!! . The pointy bit is not a tight fit in the brass bit which I think is how it should be . Does "stake" mean I have to tap on the exposed pointy bit blunt end to seat it ???. I cant think that can be so as the two bits are not a precise fit so the seat could not be true ,any thoughts ???

John in better weather my 15 month old granddaughter and mummy ,daddy and uncle have gone to the zoo ,it is at the top of my road and some evenings you can hear the lions roar only hope the fence holds Suffolk County England .

[wingski]

Wow, the sound of lions roaring is sure better than the sound of kids on ATV’s across the street. I just took off my rear Tillotson and cleaned it because it had a leaking float valve. I’m surprised that there is no leak now because the tolerances are not what I’m used to. I’m going to remove the front carb today and clean it like the other one so they are the same. Good to hear from you again, John.
Mike

[jhowes]

Staking means to drive the float valve into its' seat with lite taps. Yo're not driving in a 10 penny nail. Maybe the UK doesn't label nails by the penny system. Jack

[john charlton]

Yes we still have pennies here, there are 100 pennies in one pound ($1.36) And we still have penny nails too . I guessed that must be what staking meant but it seems a bit hit and miss as the plunger is not precisely located in the brass body so has a bit of slop so you could stake it slightly offcentre and it would leak for sure . Maybe I will try it unstaked and give it a light tap if it leaks . Thanks for the info .

John in same weather, the Land of the Pennies, Suffolk County England .

[marc hildebrant]

I have a similar new float\needle seat with the same wording about needing a staking.

Good thing that John got an answer...

Marc

[johnbuckley]

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Stupid question maybe... but why don't they come pre-staked?

[Brian T]

I have had problems using new float valves for Tillotsons and prefer to use old valves, I have had success lapping them in with a little fine valve grinding paste, they are a little difficult to grip with pliers, lap them for a few minutes then flush out well, then repeat without the paste till you feel they are smooth.
I let them sit with the fuel valve on for 30 minutes with the engine off, and again after a test run leaving the fuel on, so far this as worked for me

[Bruce of MN]

A bit OT but when my car stopped running this summer, it turned out that the seat in my Tilly had unscrewed. I tightened it up and it ran like a champ, so always check that.

[Brian T]

Originally Posted by Bruce of MN

A bit OT but when my car stopped running this summer, it turned out that the seat in my Tilly had unscrewed. I tightened it up and it ran like a champ, so always check that.

Good point, its best to use a thin walled 7/16 socket, otherwise the hinge posts could may get broken off using an open end wrench.