Hello all,

I received my new carb float and needle valve seat kit. I have a question about the float and needle. Does the needle just sit on the flat bar on the float, or is it supposed to lock into place somehow on the flat bar? My understand is the rectangular wire on the needle just floats on the flat bar of the float. Is this correct? Does anyone have a pic of the setup? I don't want to have to tear into it twice.

thanks,
John

ps. I found a good way to remove the float is to use the blade of a box cutter to pry out the pin which secures the float. Worked like a charm.

I've actually never replaced any of mine, but I believe that the rectangular wire "surrounds" the "tang" in order to keep the top/tip of the needle from moving out of place.

You may be describing the same thing, in your own chosen words.

Alexd

Alexd,

I found out that my problem with the fuel leaking was not due to a cracked float, needle valve or valve seal etc. There appears to be some play in the carb float cover. I re-assembled everything with the brand new parts and the fuel still leaked. I loosened the carb screws and moved it very slightly one way and the fuel stopped leaking. I'm not certain if the overflow tube is bent slightly causing this issue? I've had this carb apart many times to replace jets etc and never had the float stick. But, it appears to be stuck on something and by moving it slightly to one side, it stopped.

Everything appears to be working again. Thanks for the reply!

John

I've also never replaced the (paper?) gasket that mates between the float bowl and carb body...but it may be that a tiny piece of it has worked loose and is either "bunching up" or "missing," both of which could explain the phenomenon of of both leaking, and temporarily fixed with a slight movement/adjustment.

Alexd

Could be the bowl gasket, could be a burr or some casting irregularity.

The gasket on my float cover appears to be rubber. I noticed that it's quite compressed, but I'm not sure that would create a stuck float issue.

I'm still thinking that maybe I bent the overflow tube which is mated to the bottom of the cover. If it's off slightly, maybe its causing a sticking issue.

But..."sticking" against what? The rest of the fixed castings would not be touched by it...and even if so, the overflow tube would be bent away from anything touching it (if it was possible) when the float-bowl was re-attached.

I'd look at the gasket and mating surfaces...

Alexd

I think replacing the float bowl gasket should be an automatic given, when rebuilding the carb.

The float bowl gasket has nothing to do with the overflow tube. It has a hose connected to the bottom of the carb cover. If the fuel is coming out of this tube, it's not a gasket fault. Its either needle valve not closing all the way or float stuck.