The Ford Barn

Brobrian · 10-30-2014, 06:28 PM

I've been working on some fuel system related issues lately. I flushed the tank and took apart the petcock in an attempt to stop my Zenith carb from leaking out the air intake while it is parked with the gas is shut off.
Yet, even after removing the carb and checking to see that nothing was caught in the float valve, the carb still leaked. I then decided to check the float level by adding a washer to the float valve, thus dropping the float level significantly. Still leaked, so then I change out the carb to my old one. No leaks.

So, here's my thinking: Since the carb still leaks with nothing blocking the float valve and with the float level below spec, the float valve must be at fault. By the way, this carb is a new carb from Snyders, and has leaked since the day I got it.

I appreciate your time, gentlemen.

J Franklin · 10-30-2014, 06:37 PM

If the carb is leaking and the float is at correct height the the needle is not seating properly or not precision built, or the gasket under the seat is improper or improperly set. I cant think of too much more. Maybe the float is leaky. also if it leaks much with the valve closed you need to fix that part also.

Big hammer · 10-30-2014, 06:39 PM

Call Snyder's .

Tom Endy · 10-30-2014, 06:46 PM

A lot of floats have been molested by people bending the hinge around trying to adjust the float level. This causes them to not come up straight. This offsets the float valve and causes it to leak. Quite often I have had to change out the float for a new one to get the float valve to close properly.

Tom Endy

mshmodela · 10-30-2014, 06:52 PM

In this month's "The Restorer" Tom Endy wrote an article about the GAV Seat and Needle valve... I replaced my needle valve since I had a fuel leak there about 2 months ago.. Tom's paper in "The Restorer" mentions the needle getting jammed in the GAV seat and when turning the GAV, one is really turning the GAV seat via the needle and not the needle in and out of the GAV seat... I cannot say this is your issue but it might be worth checking...

TinCup · 10-30-2014, 06:54 PM

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I like the Viton tipped float valves. I have one I installed 4 years ago and it has worked great. I run Ethanol and no adverse effect so far. Also if your gas cap isn't vented it will build up and pressurize enough to force a leak.

Fred K-OR · 10-30-2014, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big hammer

Call Snyder's .

Dito. Good advise.

Chuck Sea/Tac · 10-31-2014, 12:31 AM

Have you put a visual standpipe on it to see the actual gas level? Another possibility is a cracked or leaking jet.

C26Pinelake · 10-31-2014, 04:16 AM

Snyders will be happy to rectify the problem but they may not be happy that you tore it apart before contacting them. Bottom line is a new carb should not leak so get on the telephone quick ! Wayne

Brobrian · 10-31-2014, 05:28 PM

Cool, Gentlemen.
I'll get on the horn.
Thanks

10-30-2014, 06:28 PM	#1
Brobrian Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 315	Carb drip: Check My Thinking I've been working on some fuel system related issues lately. I flushed the tank and took apart the petcock in an attempt to stop my Zenith carb from leaking out the air intake while it is parked with the gas is shut off. Yet, even after removing the carb and checking to see that nothing was caught in the float valve, the carb still leaked. I then decided to check the float level by adding a washer to the float valve, thus dropping the float level significantly. Still leaked, so then I change out the carb to my old one. No leaks. So, here's my thinking: Since the carb still leaks with nothing blocking the float valve and with the float level below spec, the float valve must be at fault. By the way, this carb is a new carb from Snyders, and has leaked since the day I got it. I appreciate your time, gentlemen. __________________ Forty horses is plenty.

10-30-2014, 06:37 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,961	Re: Carb drip: Check My Thinking If the carb is leaking and the float is at correct height the the needle is not seating properly or not precision built, or the gasket under the seat is improper or improperly set. I cant think of too much more. Maybe the float is leaky. also if it leaks much with the valve closed you need to fix that part also.

10-30-2014, 06:39 PM	#3
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,130	Re: Carb drip: Check My Thinking Call Snyder's .

10-30-2014, 06:46 PM	#4
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Carb drip: Check My Thinking A lot of floats have been molested by people bending the hinge around trying to adjust the float level. This causes them to not come up straight. This offsets the float valve and causes it to leak. Quite often I have had to change out the float for a new one to get the float valve to close properly. Tom Endy

10-30-2014, 06:52 PM	#5
mshmodela Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,763	Re: Carb drip: Check My Thinking In this month's "The Restorer" Tom Endy wrote an article about the GAV Seat and Needle valve... I replaced my needle valve since I had a fuel leak there about 2 months ago.. Tom's paper in "The Restorer" mentions the needle getting jammed in the GAV seat and when turning the GAV, one is really turning the GAV seat via the needle and not the needle in and out of the GAV seat... I cannot say this is your issue but it might be worth checking... __________________ -Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio

10-30-2014, 06:54 PM	#6
TinCup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: OKC / Tonkawa, Ok. Posts: 1,977	Re: Carb drip: Check My Thinking Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I like the Viton tipped float valves. I have one I installed 4 years ago and it has worked great. I run Ethanol and no adverse effect so far. Also if your gas cap isn't vented it will build up and pressurize enough to force a leak. __________________ Oklahoma City Model A Restorers Group.

10-31-2014, 12:31 AM	#8
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: Carb drip: Check My Thinking Have you put a visual standpipe on it to see the actual gas level? Another possibility is a cracked or leaking jet.

10-31-2014, 04:16 AM	#9
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Carb drip: Check My Thinking Snyders will be happy to rectify the problem but they may not be happy that you tore it apart before contacting them. Bottom line is a new carb should not leak so get on the telephone quick ! Wayne

10-31-2014, 05:28 PM	#10
Brobrian Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 315	Re: Carb drip: Check My Thinking Cool, Gentlemen. I'll get on the horn. Thanks __________________ Forty horses is plenty.