Stranded in Carlisle in my '72 and looking for help!

[Tom L.]

Hi all, hope many of you are prepping for Carlisle. I arrived today in Carlisle after a long drive in my '72. After a stop or two I noticed a strong smell of gas, popped the hood and found a puddle of gas on the manifold. It appears that the gasket on the inlet fitting is leaking, took it apart, looked for issues and re-tightened. Better but still leaking.

No local stores have the gasket so that's why I'm reaching out. The car is a '72 LS5, small block is the same. I believe it's a 1" neoprene gasket. If anyone is headed out here and has a gasket, or access to one I'd appreciate some help. My number is 631-512-9473

Help is appreciated!

[Michael H.]

Re: Stranded in Carlisle in my '72 and looking for help!

Tom get some teflon tape and try that and see if it that stops the leak. Look for a Speed Shop as they may have the gasket as well.

Mike

[Chris H.]

Re: Stranded in Carlisle in my '72 and looking for help!

Is that a flare fitting? If so, see if you can find a 3/8 copper flare gasket.

[Tom L.]

Re: Stranded in Carlisle in my '72 and looking for help!

Not the flare fitting. The fitting that holds the fuel filter is the issue. It's the 1" neoprene gasket that seals that part to the carb body. Thanks!

[Jack H.]

Re: Stranded in Carlisle in my '72 and looking for help!

If it's the kind of gasket I'm thinking of, could you not use an O-ring in a pinch? If so, HomeDepot/Lowes/HarborFreight/AutoPartsStore would have a cheap assortment pack with hopefully a size that would suffice.

Hopefully with all the Corvette friends in the vicinity, you'll get the exact right gasket from someone, but I was just trying to consider a worst-case backup plan.

[Joe L.]

Re: Stranded in Carlisle in my '72 and looking for help!

Not the flare fitting. The fitting that holds the fuel filter is the issue. It's the 1" neoprene gasket that seals that part to the carb body. Thanks!

Tom------


Good news and bad news:

The good news is that you should be able to make a satisfactory replacement, at least good enough for the rest of your trip, from a sheet of thick gasket material or a sheet of neoprene. Very easy to do this.

The bad news is that it's my strong hunch that your problem is not the gasket but, rather, worn/eroded threads on the carburetor fuel bowl that the inlet fitting threads into.

[Frank D.]

Re: Stranded in Carlisle in my '72 and looking for help!

Tom------


Good news and bad news:

The good news is that you should be able to make a satisfactory replacement, at least good enough for the rest of your trip, from a sheet of thick gasket material or a sheet of neoprene. Very easy to do this.

The bad news is that it's my strong hunch that your problem is not the gasket but, rather, worn/eroded threads on the carburetor fuel bowl that the inlet fitting threads into.

Any NAPA and perhaps other stores will have the gasket material and a few minutes with sharp scissors and you're good....IF the threads are not shot as described above. Teflon tape is almost always bad news on fuel lines.

[Mark E.]

Re: Stranded in Carlisle in my '72 and looking for help!

These used to be a staple in parts stores, but now carburetors are antiques.

You may not have luck if you ask the counter guy for the specific gasket for your application. But many stores have a "Dorman's Help" rack. Look for this package:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/dorman-help-carburetor-inlet-gasket-assortment-55143/5701627-p?c3ch=PLA&c3nid=5701627-P&adtype=pla_with_promotion&product_channel=online&store_code=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgIi1n4CY5AIVD47ICh07tAxQEAQYAiABEgIlxfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

It's available from Amazon with free delivery by Saturday, if you can wait that long.

Avoid using any sort of tape, sealant or other stuff on the treads. That just risks damaging the fragile treads in the pot metal fuel bowl.

And never use Teflon tape on fuel lines- it softens/dissolves when in contact with gasoline.

[Mark E.]

Re: Stranded in Carlisle in my '72 and looking for help!

Tom,

I'm interested in your experience and thoughts from driving your 72 from NY to Carlisle. How did it perform? Any problems aside from the fuel leak? What axle ratio and do you have AC? Fuel economy?

[Edward B.]

Re: Stranded in Carlisle in my '72 and looking for help!

You're at Carlisle and can't find the part you need. Curious.

[Jack M.]

Re: Stranded in Carlisle in my '72 and looking for help!

Tom------


Good news and bad news:

The good news is that you should be able to make a satisfactory replacement, at least good enough for the rest of your trip, from a sheet of thick gasket material or a sheet of neoprene. Very easy to do this.

The bad news is that it's my strong hunch that your problem is not the gasket but, rather, worn/eroded threads on the carburetor fuel bowl that the inlet fitting threads into.

I suspect Joe is correct in regards to the threads in the carb fuel bowl being damaged... but there may be an easy solution. A few months ago, I saw this info on CF: "Call custom carb in Middlesex N.J. He has deeper fittings for that stripped out threads. Worked on mine."

Not sure if they attend Carlisle... if not, perhaps they can overnight a package to you.
Contact info from their website:

Owner: Philip Cancilla
Address: Custom Rebuilt Carburetors LLC.
200A Wood Avenue
Middlesex, NJ 08846
Phone: 732-356-4333
Fax: 732-356-0342
Email: sales@customrebuiltcarbs.com

[Dick W.]

Re: Stranded in Carlisle in my '72 and looking for help!

When you go back to the parts store, get a tube of Loctite Pipe Sealant With Teflon, or an equivalent. Coat the threads on the fitting that screws into the carb bowl. Be careful and do not over tighten this fitting as the carb bowl is easy to strip. This and a new gasket hopefully will cure your problem.

[Bob W.]

Re: Stranded in Carlisle in my '72 and looking for help!

Tom, Custom Rebuild Carbs should be at Carlisle .

[Dick W.]

Re: Stranded in Carlisle in my '72 and looking for help!

Tom, Custom Rebuild Carbs should be at Carlisle .

Space G028

[Tom L.]

Re: Stranded in Carlisle in my '72 and looking for help!

Thanks to all that chimed in to help. Was able to find what I needed (while it rained all morning), fix the leak and get to the show.