The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop fuel not getting to throat of carb

Hello,

I have a zenith 228 caburetor on my 49 1/2 ton. Before reinstalling i removed and cleaned both jets and all fuel passages and now im not getting any fuel down the throat of the carb when i pump gas pedal. I have a inline filter that is placed right before the carb and its full... any suggestions?

Also whats the initial startup settings on the air/fuel mixture screw? And since i dont have an adjustable main jet it should just screw all the way in right? Just trying to think about anything that may have changed since it last cranked up and idled.

If you don't have an adjustable main jet then there is nothing there to screw in. There will be a cap over the hole. If it has a T handle it is an adjustable jet.

In my experience the adjustable jet should be fully open for normal driving and leaned (screwed in a bit) for higher altitudes.

I'd start about 1-1/2 turns on the air mixture.

However, neither of these have anything to do with the pump. It should squirt a shot of fuel even if the main and idle jets are closed. Did you clean the fuel screen in the carb?

My carb has a bolt and when i take that bolt out i unscrew the jet... so is this adjustable or not? Ive just got it screwed in tight. I have since replaced this bolt with the correct size. I pulled it and it looked ok but ill take it out and clean it tonight.. im not carb guy ( you are talking about the thing under the big bolt you unscrew at the front of the carb right?

Heres the bolt picture and when i unscrew this there is a jet up in there

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v678/pdinkle75/Mobile%20Uploads/20150218_182057_zpsjjebrubi.jpg

Yes, your main jet is in there and is not adjustable. I've never seen one with a bolt like that in the hole though. Usually it it screws in all the way to the head like this .



An adjustable jet

Yeah I replaced it. ..PO had this one in there

What would make the carb not squirt fuel down the throat?

Accelerator pump. Common issues are a stuck check valve(ball bearing) Dirt where the check valve lives, and the diaphragm if I am not mistaken on the Zenith carb. It might have a tear or not be sealed properly. Check for linkage moving properly as well. This video might be helpful:

You must get every thing as clean as you can.

Thanks Steve ill give it a watch. After doing some research im starting to suspect a stuck closed float. Gonna tear back into her when i get home.

Ok well now I'm screwed! Found the culprit only to have it lost seconds later! Can someone show me a picture of what I'm looking for? It's the piece that goes in this hole and it's on the ground somewhere :, (

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v678/pdinkle75/20150223_182744-1_zps2mq37xkl.jpg

It is the needle valve and looks similar to this.

Can't find it. .. looks like its time to buy a rebuild kit. .. needed one anyways I guess. .. sigh

Cheaper than I new carb I assume

http://www.carbkitsource.com/carbs/kits/CK921.htm

I have had so much trouble with dirt from the tank that the tank got pulled and cleaned. Just work, but it is work. I put 2 filters in the fuel line. 1 between the tank and the fuel pump. 2 just in front of the Carburetor. Then came the "sticky" needle in the seat issues. 3 so far. Then, the power valve got sticky. All in one Carter B. So far my feeble mind has come up with, Residue from OLD gas melting from the new fuel and solvents. The thing is, persevere. It can be solved. My truck set for most of 20 years. The things that make it fun are the things I have figured out how to fix. Fix what you have. You will learn something. Keep at it, you will be surprised at how good it feels when it works. Clean, clean, and clean. I know that sounds boring, but it is funny what comes out of the oddest places. I have not run into the "Zinc coating" issues. We do have E 15 here and, it changes by season. But, so far, the issues are not the fuel by itself. Just time and neglect.

I have done the exact same thing Steve. My tank is at the radiator shop getting a acid bath as we speak. Im no mechanic but ive already learned alot from this ol truck. Just getting it to run and idle and drive down the road after sitting 30 years made me feel GREAT! Really all she needs now to be road worthy is carb rebuilt, tank reinstalled, brakes rebled and adjusted and taillights. It makes you feel good when your the only one who has touched it and its come this far in such a small ammount of time.

Yeah, your needle was likely sticking in it's seat. No gas in the bowl, therefore no gas to the accelerator pump.
I had this to happen on my GMC. Even caused me to try an electric fuel pump.
Now you know why those dents are on the carb. A small hammer would usually un-stick the needle. lol.