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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 479 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 479 | So, I started up my engine yesterday and it seemed to be running a little rough. Climed out and opened the hood while it was running to check things out and gas was running out of the side of the carb! I quickly shut it down, and it took a good couple of minutes for the gas to stop leaking out.
Went back this morning, the fuel filter was empty. Pulled the top of the carb off to check it out, found that the measurements for the floats were off. I got them back to where they should be, put everything back together, started it up and no problems.
So...how could the float settings have changed? It was running fine before this, and had been for several months. It's good now, but I am still mystified.
Tim
I am currently digging back in to a 1953 3800 (one ton) with a nine foot bed. I've owned it since 1979, and drove it until 1982 (or so). My wife got me involved in restoring it back in 2002, got the body removed and the frame redone, then things came up. Now I am retired and starting again. If anyone is interested I have photos on Imagur ( https://timwhiteblues.imgur.com/ ). I live way back in the woods in the Ozarks on 40 acres at the end of a 2 1/2 mile private road. Tim
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,715 Carburetion specialist | | Carburetion specialist Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,715 |
Good carburetion is fuelish hot airThe most expensive carburetor is the wrong one you attempt to modify. If you truly believe "one size fits all," try walking a mile in your spouse's shoes!The Carburetor Shop | | | | | Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 479 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 479 | Well, I suppose it's as good an explanation as any. Not very satisfying, though.
Tim
I am currently digging back in to a 1953 3800 (one ton) with a nine foot bed. I've owned it since 1979, and drove it until 1982 (or so). My wife got me involved in restoring it back in 2002, got the body removed and the frame redone, then things came up. Now I am retired and starting again. If anyone is interested I have photos on Imagur ( https://timwhiteblues.imgur.com/ ). I live way back in the woods in the Ozarks on 40 acres at the end of a 2 1/2 mile private road. Tim
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,715 Carburetion specialist | | Carburetion specialist Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,715 | Tim - do you have a Carter YF?
If so, possible to put the float pin in backwards. Over time, the free end will back out, and the float will wobble, making the settings wrong.
Jon.
Good carburetion is fuelish hot airThe most expensive carburetor is the wrong one you attempt to modify. If you truly believe "one size fits all," try walking a mile in your spouse's shoes!The Carburetor Shop | | | | | Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 479 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 479 | I have a Rochester B. Brand new (well, only has about six hours on it). And it was running so well before this happened.
Tim
I am currently digging back in to a 1953 3800 (one ton) with a nine foot bed. I've owned it since 1979, and drove it until 1982 (or so). My wife got me involved in restoring it back in 2002, got the body removed and the frame redone, then things came up. Now I am retired and starting again. If anyone is interested I have photos on Imagur ( https://timwhiteblues.imgur.com/ ). I live way back in the woods in the Ozarks on 40 acres at the end of a 2 1/2 mile private road. Tim
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,518 |
1953 Chevrolet 3100261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY GalleryVideo of the 261 running1964 GMC 1000305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 479 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 479 | I thought about that, and while I had it apart I checked the needle valve. I seemed to work fine, although it seemed to stick a little bit in the closed position. But that would cut off gas to the carb, not flood it. At least I think that would be the case.
Tim
I am currently digging back in to a 1953 3800 (one ton) with a nine foot bed. I've owned it since 1979, and drove it until 1982 (or so). My wife got me involved in restoring it back in 2002, got the body removed and the frame redone, then things came up. Now I am retired and starting again. If anyone is interested I have photos on Imagur ( https://timwhiteblues.imgur.com/ ). I live way back in the woods in the Ozarks on 40 acres at the end of a 2 1/2 mile private road. Tim
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 2,115 Insomniac | | Insomniac Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 2,115 | Did you shake the float to make sure that it doesn't have gas in it?
Gord 🇨🇦
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1954 1/2 ton 235 4 speed
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 | B floats are prone to contacting the side of the bowl if they get bent. The rebuild instructions warn of this.
The old 'hit the carb with a hammer' trick is commonly used to temporarily fix this problem until you have time to fix it right.
This might explain why the problem came and went on its own. For now anyway.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 479 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 479 | Yes, I checked out the floats for floating, that was my first thought. I also checked for binding, followed the rebuild instructions for testing for hitting sides. I guess this will just end up being one of those "don't know what's goin' on" things. At least I'm back to running. With luck I'm going to get the truck inspected tomorrow so I can get plates on it.
Tim
I am currently digging back in to a 1953 3800 (one ton) with a nine foot bed. I've owned it since 1979, and drove it until 1982 (or so). My wife got me involved in restoring it back in 2002, got the body removed and the frame redone, then things came up. Now I am retired and starting again. If anyone is interested I have photos on Imagur ( https://timwhiteblues.imgur.com/ ). I live way back in the woods in the Ozarks on 40 acres at the end of a 2 1/2 mile private road. Tim
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