The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Adjusting floats on Carb

I have a Rochester one-barrel on my '50 216, and I having some pretty stiff gas leaking from the carb, and I know the floats are set incorrectly.

Let me see if I can ask this with some clarity; but first, some background...where the floats connect (if you want to think of them as a wishbone), there's the little brass "hook" (for lack of a better term) that you can bend up or down, which pushes up on that valve, and adjusts the height of the floats.

My question: to make the level of the gas in the blowl lower, do you widen the brass hook or bend it down? The last time I did this (years ago), it was, if I remember, counterintuitive.

Thanks.

Okay... From what i remember about doing the carb, when you adjust the float (actually 2 adjustments), the bowl lid is held upside down and the height of the float off of the lid is what is set. Making the float higher at this point will reduce the fuel in the bowl.
The other adjustment is 'float drop'. Hold the lid right side up and let the float dangle. There should be another bendy-tab that prevents it from dropping right down and letting the valve bit fall out... It also keeps the float from dropping too far into the bowl and jamming when you run out of gas. There should be a float-drop spec in the manual or carb kit instructions.
I'm sure carb-king will be around soon to correct any mistakes I've made.

One way I like to set the float level (it is more difficult and messy) is to do it wet. With gas gravity fed to the carb, and the carb at the angle it sets on the engine, set the float while gas is flowing and as soon as the needle closes and the gas flow stops, take your measurement at that point. Then adjust and repeat until it is at the correct measurement. Messy pain in the butt, but it's a true reading.

Like flyer says. With the air horn upside down you measure from the gasket to the bottom of the float. It should be 1 9/32 on all model B's. A longer distance lowers the fuel level in the bowl. You wouldn't want to taylor the adjustment very much. Too low of a level can cause hesitations & bogging. A high level can cause a rich mixture. I believe the drop setting is 1 3/4 with the float hanging. You bend the tang that contacts the needle seat.
A wet setting is the best way but I don't know how you would do it on that carb. I don't understand Builders method. Most Holleys can be set wet with an external adjustment.

is your carb leaking when you park on a hill? my wifes carb (rochester) leaks while on a hill due to it being set on the higher level. -DVZ

thanks, folks. I appreciate it. And Builder, I love the idea of doing it "wet"--never thought of that. Regards