Farrar's car blog

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Originally Posted by content22207

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Originally Posted by Farrar

First recurring problem: a leaky carburetor.

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Looks like your needle valve isn't shutting off fuel inlet. Could be trash between it and the seat (or a damaged tip or seat) or...

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Originally Posted by Farrar

It's possible my float is set incorrectly...

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i had this problem when i rebuilt the 2bbl Carter carburetor on my '58 Buick. the float was set too high and the needle wasnt sealing fully in the seat, causing fuel to continually flow into the bowl. the excess would leak out of the carb and onto the intake manifold.

Just so Farrar understands: Carters are opposite from Motorcrafts -- their needle valves are upside down (float pushes the needle valve up). If this is the problem, Farrar needs to bend the tab that presses against his needle valve *DOWN*.

Bill Robertson
#5939

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Originally Posted by content22207

Farrar needs to bend the tab that presses against his needle valve *DOWN*.

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Having read this, I am pretty sure I adjusted the float incorrectly: I bent the piece of brass on the float side, not on the needle side. No problem; this is easy to correct.

I can't wait to clean up my engine compartment now that I've fixed the oil leak at the timing cover (with a heaping helping of RTV).

Farrar

That's how you adjust a Carter (the needle valve rests between the float and the pivot).

Some people get all scientific with their float settings (that's why they give you that ridiculous little ruler in a rebuild kit). Just set it so the float is level when the needle valve is all the way seated.

It is possible to set the float so high it hits the top gasket and stops moving before the needle valve is fully seated.

Remember also that your wonderful brass float could be leaking and sinking. That's why they went to foam floats in the first place. Submerge the float in a bowl of water and watch for bubbles (turn it around in the bowl so all four sides of the seam have a chance to be on top).

Bill Robertson
#5939

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Originally Posted by content22207

your wonderful brass float could be leaking and sinking.

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I hope not -- it's not very old yet. It floated when I last had a look in the carburetor bowl, but I guess I can have another look. Fortunately, it takes about two minutes to look inside.

I do need a new air filter. I guess if I get the thing started, I will head over to O'Reilly and convince the gal behind the counter that I really AM working on a DeLorean.

Farrar

Just buy a generic 10 inch element. I use either STP 184 or 189.

Bill Robertson
#5939

After reading about the negative effects of gasohol on automotive fuel systems, I really have the urge to just get the car started and take it for a drive even as it is. Even going to the auto parts store to pick up an air filter (and maybe a spare fuel pump?) might be a good way to prevent the fuel from causing damage.

Since I moved to my new place in June I have not driven the car enough to fill up the tank yet at my neighborhood 100%-gasoline station, but this fall-like weather means that I can drive it comfortably, even without air conditioning. I want to burn off some of that ethanol that's been sitting in my tank since April.

Farrar

No need to start the engine -- just energize the pump and your carb will apparently spit it out all over the manifold.

Bill Robertson
#5939

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Originally Posted by content22207

No need to start the engine -- just energize the pump and your carb will apparently spit it out all over the manifold.

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No, it will just spit it out all over the inside of the fuel bowl. What is on the outside of the carburetor I gather is what seeped through the gaskets.

Farrar

Got absolutely nothing done on the car today. Went from home to work, work to class, class to more work, work to band practice, band practice to home and finally breakfast at 10:45pm.

How I am going to manage full-time job, part-time school, playing in two bands, and owning a DeLorean is going to be a miracle of scheduling and cooperative weather conditions.

(And a patient girlfriend -- who, bless her heart, the last time I took the D out for a spin and it stopped running, actually gave me a pep talk!)

Farrar