Another Carb/Floats problem!

[Macgyver]

Ok, so when she runs in idle for like 5-10mins gas wil start to run out the top of the carb. i havent seen thsi first hand its what the guys at the shop have told me, which is why Im not going to have them rebuild it for me. If this is the case though then what is the culprit here, the floats? Theyre somehow not keeping the fuel down?

She was running great on the highway, despite getting horrible mileage, and then when I took the exit I slowed down a bit and turned a corner, BAM, she dies. Booooooo What else should I be looking for. Im not going to be doing the repairs myself. I got a friend that rebuilt his Holly and can replace the floats on mine. Any advice? I really want to stick w/ the Quadrajet. Ive heard great things about it in the forum and a trusted shop owner, friend of the fam, said he gets great success w/ the Quadrajet and that it would be ideal for my purposes.

Steve'O

 

[dman]

great carb the q jet . 25.00$ rebild kit . float and filtre do not come in kit 2.....3....hours your done ..carb float bowl is like toilet tank only much smaller .gas fills carb bowl and the float get this it floats .or it should float and push needle down stoping gas from over filling float bowl and comming out bowl vent .. build it

 

[cntrhub]

Yank the float and throw it in paper cup filled with water. If it sinks to the bottom or one side is trying to get to the bottom, you have a junk float. Another variable is the float needle and seat are worn out. Another thing you might want to inspect, is any debris stuck in between the needle and seat. I doubt the float adjusting tang needs adjusting. They hardly wear or move to be that signifigent with over flowing fuel.

 

[Macgyver]

Great this really helps!

When replacing this stuff would it be wise to replace the seat(s) and needle w/ it? THere are 2 floats right? I think autozone has them for 9$ each is that right? Whats the price on these needles and seats.

 

[cntrhub]

One part against another part, is always wearing out each other. So, definitely replace the needle and seat as a set. Never chap out and replace old onto new. Don't know the prices, sorry.

 

[Macgyver]

Would this work the same for a Q-jet because thats the one Im going to be rebuilding not a Holly, sorry for the confusion D. I think I also need a new spring in there that adjusts the choke. I obviously dont know much here about carbs except for the basic principle of it.

I got the car back today and it runs a hell of a lot better than the day it died. No more flat spot at the beginning of acceleration. The idle was adjusted as well to a -1000rpms. It was idling at about 15-1600 and now at about 700rpms. There is still a strong smell of fuel but the fuel system was checked and there wasnt any type of problem w/it. I went back into the garage after coming home w/it and it smelled like I had 2 lawn mowers at work in there.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Keep looking. That fuel smell is coming from somewhere!
Maybe check your lines, hoses and fittings?
I have had a 'flat spot' at initial acceleration from a stop...what exactly fixed yours, was it only adjusting the carb?
Heidi

 

[Macgyver]

Heidi, I jumped the gun. I installed a nice little "nudge the neighbors but not wake them" stereo system to tide me over till I go hogwild on the acoutsics and drove around all night. The flat spot came about during the middle of my cruz slightly. And then went away. This afternoon when I was driving it wasnt there though, but tonight it reared its ugly head for a while. So apperantly the carb adjustment wasnt a solution and I thought that it might have cured it.

No sense in looking for another answer when I know that the floats arent doing there job. Running rich and floating the bowl over. Thats probably where the gas smell is coming from, the gas soaked engine block. So I dont think that Im going to drive her anymore until the rebuild Sunday. I will update the thread though in case this helps anyone in the future.

 

[Jack]

get a new float

QJet float (there's only one) is made of a cast resin (aka plastic) ... over time it can get "gas-logged" (happens routinely to OLD qjet floats) ... when logged they're too heavy and cannot rise enough to seat the inlet needle ... causing flooding. Just go get a new Qjet float from parts house or GM dealer. Be careful not to bend the metering rods' tips ... they're delicate.
JACK:gap

 

[Macgyver]

does the carb even need to be removed for that Jack?

 

[Jack]

does the carb even need to be removed for that Jack?

Nope! ... the top of the carb comes off ... you'll see the float ... it lifts out ... again ... be careful replacing the metering rods.

If it's been a few years since carb was cleaned ... you may wanna take it off the car ... the bowls etc will probably be kinda cruddy if it's been awhile.
JACK:gap