Carb Flooding

Elvis · 11-25-2005, 09:23 PM

Last week one morning when I started my '67 (it has a 302 with an Edelbrock 4 barrel carb) it ran fine for about 8 seconds, then began to run rough and finally stalled. I tried it a couple of times and noticed that fuel would start coming out of the top of the carb after a few seconds. A mechanic friend was supposed to come over yesterday to help me but, of course, a crisis came up and he can't make it. He told me to just take the cover off and clean it up - it is probably just some dirt in the system. I also have a rebuild kit. He said there is a seal that may need replacement. I used to rebuild the old 2 barrel I had on it but this is a new deal for me. My question is, am I biting off more than I can chew by opening the thing up. Please advise. E.

Jeff Chambers · 11-25-2005, 09:35 PM

If fuel was coming out one of the vent stacks, then the needle valve on that bowl is most likely jammed open by a small piece of dirt. If you don't feel confident in going through the carb yourself, any engine shop should be able to go through it for you for little expense.

Elvis · 11-25-2005, 09:52 PM

Thanx for the response. I am obviously not a seasoned mechanic but the fuel was coming up through the area that the "plunger" goes into the carb and connects to the accelerator pump. Hope this makes sense. E.

Gearhead999 · 11-26-2005, 02:37 PM

Did you try tapping on the area where the fuel line attaches with the plastic handle end of a screwdriver. Many times this will knock the needle loose. Not a perment fix, but it will get it to stop flooding.

Elvis · 11-26-2005, 08:03 PM

Too late to try the tapping thing. I took the top of the carb off this morning. There was quite a bit of dirt in the bowls where the floats are seated. I know that my gas tank needs replacement but I have a good filter and suspect that most of this stuff was there when I bought the carb. I cleaned it out and just when I was going to put it all back together it started to rain so I pushed the beast back into the garage. I will get back at it tomorrow. We'll see. Frustrating, because it was running so well before this flooding issue started. E.

Elvis · 11-27-2005, 04:13 PM

Well, I got it put back together and it works great - no flooding yet. I did notice that one of the needles was sticking a bit so I tried to clean it with air. It seems to be OK now but if the flooding happens again I'll replace the needles. E.

11-25-2005, 09:23 PM	#1
Elvis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Sherman, Texas Posts: 188	Carb Flooding Last week one morning when I started my '67 (it has a 302 with an Edelbrock 4 barrel carb) it ran fine for about 8 seconds, then began to run rough and finally stalled. I tried it a couple of times and noticed that fuel would start coming out of the top of the carb after a few seconds. A mechanic friend was supposed to come over yesterday to help me but, of course, a crisis came up and he can't make it. He told me to just take the cover off and clean it up - it is probably just some dirt in the system. I also have a rebuild kit. He said there is a seal that may need replacement. I used to rebuild the old 2 barrel I had on it but this is a new deal for me. My question is, am I biting off more than I can chew by opening the thing up. Please advise. E.

11-25-2005, 09:35 PM	#2
Jeff Chambers Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milan, OH Posts: 2,699	Re: Carb Flooding If fuel was coming out one of the vent stacks, then the needle valve on that bowl is most likely jammed open by a small piece of dirt. If you don't feel confident in going through the carb yourself, any engine shop should be able to go through it for you for little expense. __________________ Jeff Chambers 1990 Mustang GT 10.032 Seconds / 137.5 MPH 14-time Street Warrior World Record Setter CRT Performance 2001 Tropic Green Mustang GT - 12.181 / 113.2 MPH 2002 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 7.3l Power Stroke - 17.41@77.2 "There's nothing boring about a small block automatic shifting gears at 9400 rpm!"

11-25-2005, 09:52 PM	#3
Elvis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Sherman, Texas Posts: 188	Re: Carb Flooding Thanx for the response. I am obviously not a seasoned mechanic but the fuel was coming up through the area that the "plunger" goes into the carb and connects to the accelerator pump. Hope this makes sense. E.

11-26-2005, 02:37 PM	#4
Gearhead999 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Oviedo, FL Posts: 992	Re: Carb Flooding Did you try tapping on the area where the fuel line attaches with the plastic handle end of a screwdriver. Many times this will knock the needle loose. Not a perment fix, but it will get it to stop flooding. __________________ "Support our Troops" Dave 1968 Cougar 2004 Thunderbird 2007 F150 Harley-Davidson, SuperCrew 1986 LTD 1997 Ranger 1992 Honda Civic

11-26-2005, 08:03 PM	#5
Elvis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Sherman, Texas Posts: 188	Re: Carb Flooding Too late to try the tapping thing. I took the top of the carb off this morning. There was quite a bit of dirt in the bowls where the floats are seated. I know that my gas tank needs replacement but I have a good filter and suspect that most of this stuff was there when I bought the carb. I cleaned it out and just when I was going to put it all back together it started to rain so I pushed the beast back into the garage. I will get back at it tomorrow. We'll see. Frustrating, because it was running so well before this flooding issue started. E.

11-27-2005, 04:13 PM	#6
Elvis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Sherman, Texas Posts: 188	Re: Carb Flooding Well, I got it put back together and it works great - no flooding yet. I did notice that one of the needles was sticking a bit so I tried to clean it with air. It seems to be OK now but if the flooding happens again I'll replace the needles. E.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Edelbrock Carb Flooding, HELP?	429mustang	Windsor Power	6	04-06-2003 07:21 PM
to carb, or not to carb...this is my question.	black86notch	Windsor Power	4	08-06-2002 08:24 PM
Carb Woahs	RoadWarrior	Classic Mustangs	4	07-27-2002 11:06 AM
efi to carb. /?	WADS56	Windsor Power	0	09-26-2001 12:45 AM
new carb..but how much cfm??	69PonyRider	Classic Mustangs	4	09-13-2001 07:59 AM