The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Carter W 1 carb questions.

My 49 3100 was running really rough. The carburetor I bought was leaking g gas from the gasket on the bowl. After researching on here for hours I think it is the most modern Carter. It has the flat bar from the throttle control to the choke control. It was supposed to have been rebuilt when I purchased it. How does one get correct rebuild kit and how does one remove the brass flat head plugs? They appear to have been sealed in with some kind of epoxy?

https://www.thecarburetorshop.com/CarterChevroletW1.htm Use this link to help narrow your search down, then shop for the correct kit. If you are lucky, the "rebuilders " didn't swap all the parts around from other years, it's likely they did. The bases are stamped with the model numbers, some pretty plainly, others not so much.
The brass plugs probably have a thread sealer on them, a little heat will soften it up. Be sure to use the correct size screw driver. I purchase NOS Carter gasket kits just for the brass sealing washers, I find them on Ebay, some are pretty rough, but the brass seals don't go bad.. The brass seals seem to be the same size on most all the W-1's.
The float bowl is one piece cast iron, if its leaking from it, you are in trouble. If the top gasket is leaking, then the float is adjusted wrong or has gone bad.
http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/manuals/Carbs/Carter/W-1/Chevy/index.htm There used to be all the Chevrolet truck carburetor service procedures on line, I found these two with a quick search. Look through the parts list to find the gasket kit or seal kit numbers, then start looking for NOS kits if you just need the seals. Or shop around for a rebuild kit. With out the correct carb number, it will be hard to get a whole correct kit.
1949 carburetor uses gasket kit 152A, search " Carter 152A " on ebay, remeber though, these kits are very old and gasket may not be the same size as when they were made.

Another question is WHY is it leaking from the gasket around the bowl cover? Obviously, there is too much fuel in the bowl. WHY?

(1) Too much fuel pressure (an electric pump is going to require a regulator with a bypass)
(2) Defective or incorrect fuel valve
(3) Defective or incorrect float
(4) Float incorrectly adjusted
(5) Dirt has entered the carb because of missing or defective fuel filter
(6) Someone used teflon tape on fuel fittings, and some has flaked off onto the fuel valve
(7) (rare) cracked casting
(8) Rebuilder used a new old stock kit

1, 4, 5, and 8 are the most likely.

The 1949 carburetor is a one-off. Carb number is 684s. Rebuilding kits WITHOUT ACCELERATOR PUMPS are quite reasonable. Rebuilding kits WITH ACCELERATOR PUMPS are expensive, as the accelerator pump used is used only on this carburetor, and must be hand-made.

The new old stock kits mentioned by Joe will have usable fiber washers, copper washers, and mounting gasket. The bowl cover gasket will be shrunk, and not usable (see 8 above).

We have published (with written approval from Carter) the Carter service procedures mentioned by Joe; they may be found here:

https://www.thecarburetorshop.com/Carter_service.htm

Also of possible interest:

https://www.thecarburetorshop.com/CarterChevroletW1.htm

Look at your fuel pressure. Rebuilding a working carburetor because of too much fuel pressure will accomplish too things: (1) add to your frustration, (2) lighten your wallet!

Jon.

Fuel pump is mechanical. Could that be making too much pressure? Will get to look at it tomorrow night. Sounds like maybe the float isn't adjusted correct or there is dirt in it. Will check filter and such also. Thanks for the info.

It is possible, yes, but in Jon's list I think I'd focus on 2,3,4.

Mechanical fuel pump pressure may be adjusted by changing the tension on the diaphragm spring. An incorrect spring can create too much (or too little) pressure.

Testing will confirm/deny that the pressure is OK.

The carburetor is supposed to be rebuilt. Just giving some respect (possibly unjustly) to the rebuilder. Hopefully he/she knew what he/she was doing.

Jon

I have carb off and waiting for kit. Been thinking a researching, it dawned on me this engine had duel carbs on it. Would the duel carbs require higher pressure? I used the fuel pump that came with the motor. Grady.

Oh....GradyB, you may need to start over from scratch. If you have duel carb set up then it is always best to rebuild both carbs. You need to check your intake for leeks aluminum intake with cast exhaust is sometimes a big problem. Is this a 216 or 235? Doc.

It's a 216. It is single carb now. Long story about motor. I wanted it all stock. Grady.