The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 53' 3800 216 Carburator float bowl drain

I have a 1953 3800 with 216 engine. I have not had this truck long, a couple weeks, it's all original. I have it running pretty good til the crud broke loose in the fuel tank.

I think the fuel supply line is above the height of the bowl. I'm I right on this?

I need to drain the float bowl to get rid of a load of water and poluted fuel. But if the supply is above the bowl then unscrewing the supply line does not drain the bowl.

How do I do this without dismanteling anything? Is there a screw or plug I am not seeing? Will it drain if I take the idle mixture screw all the way out?

Also what manufacture & model carb do I probably have?

Welcome to the board and congrats on your "new" truck.

If the "stuff" from the tank has come loose, you really need to drain the tank and remove it from the truck for a proper cleaning and sealing. It isn't that difficult of a project. I used the POR-15 process on my '53 3100 tank and was very pleased with the results.

You should really take the carb off too, for a proper cleaning. These carbs are very simple to work on, You most likely have years of varnish and crud built up inside the carb diminishing it's performance. A kit wouldn't hurt either. Removing the carb is a straitforward job, takes about 5 minutes.

Your carb is most likely the dreaded Rochester model "B". You could also have a Carter YF model which was a popular aftermarket carb.

Hope this helps,
Steve

Rochester carbs do not have a bowl drain. You can remove the air horn and use a syringe or try to snake one in through the bowl vent right above the choke plate.