Changed thread title since I’m convinced my issue is in the carb.

The intake manifold is not exactly dry but there is no pooling. I stuck the corner of a paper towel in and had a tiny bit of damp on the very tip.

Removed needle and seat. They look clean but I sprayed them and the passage with carb cleaner and blew them out with compressed air.

I mentioned I could see some dribbling into the secondary venturi and some occasional splashes down onto the throttle plate. I do think this is likely the root of the surging behavior. I’m not knowledgeable enough to know if there should be any fuel at all through that location at idle, but I have to keep the rpm high enough for the engine to keep running.

The drill bit trick may allow me to get a good float height measurement. I’ll try it. However it appears the float is above spec and if so the bowl fuel level should be below the secondary venturi outlet.


Mike Barnes
1950 GMC 1-ton pickup