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

[Joe 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.

Tom-------

Did a gasket, alone, solve the problem?

[Joe L.]

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

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

Jack------

There are easily available carb inlet repair fittings as manufactured by Dorman and others. These have a slightly oversize, self-tapping thread. These actually cut new threads into the float bowl inlet. A new gasket is also supplied with the fitting. In fact, one of these "rescued" me many years ago when I became stranded in Tonopah, Nevada due to a Q-Jet carb inlet leak which I discovered when I stopped there for gas late in the afternoon on a Saturday (the only parts store in town had just closed for the day and was not open on Sunday so I had to wait it out until Monday morning).

The main problem with these fittings is getting them installed "straight-and-true". One needs to be extremely careful when doing the installation lest all be lost. An improper, "cocked" installation will result in an inlet leak and a possibly irreparably ruined float bowl. Installed properly, many regard these fittings as a permanent repair. I do not, however. For me, the permanent repair involves having the carb inlet heli-coiled and the standard fitting installed.

By the way, Tonopah, Nevada is just a rather small, dusty desert town. However, it's famous for 2 things: (1) it's where Howard Hughes married actress Jean Peters at the Mizpah Hotel & Casino in 1957, and (2) it's the closest town to the Tonopah Test Range Airfield where the the F-117A "stealth" fighters were secretly based after they entered operational service and before they were announced to the public. Why do you suppose I was in Tonopah during that period?

[Terry M.]

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

Jack------

There are easily available carb inlet repair fittings as manufactured by Dorman and others. These have a slightly oversize, self-tapping thread. These actually cut new threads into the float bowl inlet. A new gasket is also supplied with the fitting. In fact, one of these "rescued" me many years ago when I became stranded in Tonopah, Nevada due to a Q-Jet carb inlet leak which I discovered when I stopped there for gas late in the afternoon on a Saturday (the only parts store in town had just closed for the day and was not open on Sunday so I had to wait it out until Monday morning).

The main problem with these fittings is getting them installed "straight-and-true". One needs to be extremely careful when doing the installation lest all be lost. An improper, "cocked" installation will result in an inlet leak and a possibly irreparably ruined float bowl. Installed properly, many regard these fittings as a permanent repair. I do not, however. For me, the permanent repair involves having the carb inlet heli-coiled and the standard fitting installed.

By the way, Tonopah, Nevada is just a rather small, dusty desert town. However, it's famous for 2 things: (1) it's where Howard Hughes married actress Jean Peters at the Mizpah Hotel & Casino in 1957, and (2) it's the closest town to the Tonopah Test Range Airfield where the the F-117A "stealth" fighters were secretly based after they entered operational service and before they were announced to the public. Why do you suppose I was in Tonopah during that period?

I am going to guess it wasn't to attend Howard & Jean's wedding? Did Tonopah have an issue with their water supply, and you were there as a consultant?

[Jack M.]

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

Jack------ Why do you suppose I was in Tonopah during that period?

Hummm, let me guess... witness protection program? ..... (sorry, I couldn't resist)

[Joe L.]

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

Terry and Jack-------


No, it had more to do with what one might be able to see and hear in the sky when parked at a certain very remote place.

[Jack M.]

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

Fun times, Joe... an adult version of sneaking into drive-ins.

[Tom L.]

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

Hi All, just figured I'd provide an update (even though the thread went in another direction) Darn Millennials

Anyway, I either missed the real leak OR created another leak while servicing the first. I found the gasket in Mechanicsville and put it in. The leak was significantly smaller. After further investigation it looked like the fuel line flare. There was no "Crush" left when tightening the fitting. The "feel" was just "bottoming out". Being in the refrigeration business we use copper flare gaskets when joining hard metal flare fittings. These provide the "Crush" to make a positive seal.

Worked like a charm and made it home safe. Hope all that made the trip had fun.

And BTW, drive the classics to Carlisle. These old cars ARE the show. Maybe I'm a freak, but I'd rather drive 260 miles each way, maybe get a chip (to me a trophy of sorts, I can just say how I got it. I have one) then get there and tell someone how I got it.

Got a Celebrities choice by the way. Don't really care about that, just confirms that the classics ARE the show. As always, Have fun!!

[John D.]

[Tom L.]

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

Mark, Fuel leak was the biggest issue but one other minor issue. The bearings on my AIR pump started going bad, got real hot and melted the nice original white fan off of the hub. An annoyance but not a big problem, just had to remove the belt.

All these things add to the experience, but don't add any fun. It's, I think the 5th time I took the '72. The other times I took my '13, it's the easy way out. Even with my issues I'll do it again. fewer and fewer owners bring their older cars which is, I think, what most like to see. Even was awarded a Celebrities choice award on the fun field. That and all the conversation over the car wake it worth it.

So here's the specifics: Yes on the A/C (until I had to remove the AIR belt) which helps a LOT when it's hot. Fortunately the weather cooperated on the way home so not having wasn't an issue. 3.08 gears in the rear, approx 2400 RPM cruising at 70ish. I hadn't checked fuel mileage in quite a while, I'm aware that it burns a lot so I usually just feed it fuel as needed. Since you asked I did a check. At the speed I mentioned with NO city or highway traffic I got 14.4 MPG. Better than I would have guessed. Hoe this helps.

[Tom L.]

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

Hi John, thanks for the support. With the rain we just pursued a solution off the field.

Just a question, why would you prefer a rubber seal over a metal one? In the refrigeration business we've used these for gaskets between hard metals like steel and brass for as long as I've been alive. These types of seals are effective well beyond 500 psi in a harsh environments including lots of unpredictable vibrations. Just curious.

[John D.]

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

Hi John, thanks for the support. With the rain we just pursued a solution off the field.

Just a question, why would you prefer a rubber seal over a metal one? In the refrigeration business we've used these for gaskets between hard metals like steel and brass for as long as I've been alive. These types of seals are effective well beyond 500 psi in a harsh environments including lots of unpredictable vibrations. Just curious.

Tom, I do not prefer a rubber seal. Was just a bandage to get you home without a leak. John

[Tom L.]

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

Thanks John, Was just wondering if there were an advantage to rubber. It's my first corvette fuel leak, far from home and I just reverted to My skill set. Fortunately there was a branch of the refrigeration supply company I use at home in Mechanicsville. Made the trip and took care of business. Thanks for the support!