The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Engine starts after 10 years in storage!

Started the 235 today. Put fresh gas in the tank, connected the battery, cranked it over (5 seconds of cranking with 30 second rest) with no plugs until gas appeared in the fuel filter. Suddenly gas started pouring out the pump. Oh no, I guess I need a new pump; tighted the two screws on the top of the pump - tried it again and pump not leaking. Accelerator pump now pumping fuel. Now there's no spark - checked point gap - slightly wide - should still work - adjusted to 016 anyway. Connected plug wire directly to coil and opend and closed points manually - now there's a spark! Put the cap back on installed the plugs and wires and she fired right up. Oil pressure good, battery charging. Adjusted timing. Running like a switch watch temperature came up and stopped between the E and M on the gauge. Now running for 20+ minutes. Suddenly gas pours out of carb between body and horn. I shut the engine off, tighten the horn/body screws and start it up again. It's pushing black smoke, running rich; I can turn the mixture screw right in without stalling (reduced the smoke though). What went wrong? Float stuck?

My 216 did the same thing, with both the carb I rebuilt and the one I bought rebuilt.... I posted the same Q. Someone said there might be "crud" in the system that is causing the needle to not seat correctly. I put a modern fuel filter right off the tank. I also suspected my fuel pump, an E-bay dual action, might be putting out a little too much pressure....put on a new pump too. No more issues.

Long story short, not sure what kind of fuel filter you are running, but make sure that it is a good one....

You upper pump gasket is dried out and flaking apart and causing your float / needle to stick open. I have experienced the same symptoms on several rigs.

Put an inline filter just ahead of the carb - this will solve most of your problems. I'd put a new fuel pump in as well or rebuild your own.

Thanks, guys. Replacing the pump makes a lot of sense. I have a brand new filter just before the pump and you wouldn't think that the pump would add crud to the system. Of course, normally it would not; 10 dry years is tough on gaskets... Back to the parts store

I must remember to look on the good side: good oil pressure, no overheating and water leaks or oil leaks.