Pumped

[Jack W.]

[Jack W.]

[John F.]

Re: Pumped

See attached photos. The proper way to set the front bowl is too remove it. You turn the bowl upside down, and the flat part of the float should be parallel with the edge. You loosen the big nut on top and turn the screw to set it. Then tighten then tighten the nut while holding the screw in place with a screwdriver. This is the initial setting. Put bowl back on the carb. Do not over-tighten the four screws. Place a rag under the front bowl. Start the car and remove the site screw on the SIDE of the bowl slowly. A little gas may come out. The fuel level should be just at the bottom of the hole. If not, increase/decrease per attached diagram. Hope this makes sense to you.

[Jack W.]

Re: Pumped

John,
Thanks.
Question. The nut on the needle on my carb simply fits over flats on the top of the needle. It is not threaded. When the nut is turned with a wrench it raises or lowers the needle. The slotted screw then inserts into the needle assembly and locks it all in place.
I have the clockwise/counterclockwise diagram you sent. I assumed that screwing the needle in would cause the bowl to fill less. Am I correct? Because I just experimented with the needle almost fully inserted and when I opened the sight screw hole gas poured out worse than ever. Should the needle be raised?

[Jack W.]

Re: Pumped

Vette Float Assembly.jpg

[Owen L.]

Re: Pumped

[ATTACH=CONFIG]123524[/ATTACH]

O.K, float assembly removed.
The float doesn’t seem to be perfed. Should I remove it anyway and check for fluid inside?
What else? Adjusting the needle seems to have no effect.

Yes, remove the float and shake it for internal fuel. You could submerge it in a cup of gasoline and watch for bubbles.

I don't know if this applies to your specific Holley model, but to do needle setting on mine, you flip the bowl over to adjust the float. The top of the float (the bottom when when flipped) is adjusted with the needle until it's parallel with the housing. After that, flip it right side up and gently raise and lower the float to observe the needle being pushed up or let down. The needle should move freely such that when the float drops, the needle comes along with it.

[John F.]

Re: Pumped

I have never seen a float like that. Check the float first then flip the bowl upside down. You can then adjust the float to raise or lower by turning the nut with your finger. The black line on your float should be parallel to the bowl.There should be a gasket between the nut & bowl, and another gasket under the screw. Hold the nut in place & tighten the screw. The fuel level should be no higher than the bottom of the hole where the site screw was removed on the side of the bowl while running. Once running and fuel below the site line you can make minor adjustments to raise or lower per my diagram above.

[Bill B.]

Re: Pumped

I don't know if it is an optical photo anomaly, or the needle valve assy not screwed in sufficiently, but it appears the top of the float might hit the top of the housing cavity before it completely closes the needle valve. As Owen, John and others have stated above, it must be pre-adjusted with the assembly "up-side down" and the resulting float position essentially parallel (level) with the housing and the float not coming in contact with the housing. The fact the issues started with the pump replacement may be somewhat of a coincidence (slightly more pressure than the old pump, thus exacerbating the marginal needle valve situation) or the new pump is outputting more than 5 psi.

[Terry M.]

Re: Pumped

Jack, Looks to me like you have a nitrophyl float. They are a "Styrofoam" like material that is non-absorbent. That said, over time they can become absorbent (a fairly common issue, just check the internet). So, these floats are not hollow and you can't just "shake" them to check for gas inside. I'd suggest that you get a new float, Summit Racing is a good source, and replace yours. If you can get a brass float, do so. Otherwise, get a new nitrophyl float. If you have a small scales, you could weigh your old one and the new one to check for a difference. I would soak both in gasoline first. I think the new float should solve your problem, especially once it is adjusted to the proper height.

[Jack W.]

[Terry M.]

Re: Pumped

Please keep us posted!

[Jack W.]

Re: Pumped

Please keep us posted!

Question. While looking at the float I noticed that the needle is free floating in its shaft. Or, should be. It seems to stick in the full up position. Is this normal?

IMG_4006.jpg

And, yes,…this is my float.

IMG_9160.jpg

[Terry M.]

Re: Pumped

Jack,

The needle should slide freely inside the seat housing. Maybe it is gummed up from sitting around or maybe it was not replaced when the carb was rebuilt. I'd suggest you get new needle and seat assemblies as long as you are getting a new float. Also, there is a good YouTube video that shows your float bowl and addresses needle and seat replacement. The title is "Holley Needle & Seat Tips" by Mike's Carburetor. Mike also has a website noted in the video and he can sell you any parts you may need. You could also contact him to ask any questions.

Terry

[Jack W.]

Re: Pumped

Jack,

The needle should slide freely inside the seat housing. Maybe it is gummed up from sitting around or maybe it was not replaced when the carb was rebuilt. I'd suggest you get new needle and seat assemblies as long as you are getting a new float. Also, there is a good YouTube video that shows your float bowl and addresses needle and seat replacement. The title is "Holley Needle & Seat Tips" by Mike's Carburetor. Mike also has a website noted in the video and he can sell you any parts you may need. You could also contact him to ask any questions.

Terry

[John F.]

Re: Pumped

Sounds like you are going the wrong way on setting the float. Go the other way.