Carb Installation-have problem

[John L.]

Last week installed the rebuilt 3247 Holley carb on my "66 and today went to fire it up. Engine cranked but did not fire so took a look under the hood and see that fuel leaked from fuel inlet area on both primary and secondary sides. However, it appears the leak is not coming from where the fuel line screws into the inlet but from area around the large nut behind the fuel inlet. When I installed the carb I first finger threaded the screw line nut into the inlet and then tightened pretty well with wrench. However, I did not check how tight the large nut behind the fuel inlet was when I got the carb back from the rebuilder. I am thinking about disconnecting the fuel lines, tightening the large nut and seeing if this solves the problem.

Any thoughts, this is my first time installing a carb? thanks

[Timothy B.]

Re: Carb Installation-have problem

John,

Loosen the fuel line nut and check the large nut on the float bowl fitting. Be careful not to over tighten this fitting because it takes a large wrench and the threads are only in cut into the material that the bowl is made from. There should be a gasket under the head of that large nut.

You will need to hold this nut snug when tightening the fuel line nut which may take some looking for the best wrench that thin enough.

[John H.]

Re: Carb Installation-have problem

John -

Can you see if there is a thin black steel gasket between each of the large hex inlet fittings and the fuel bowl?

[John L.]

Re: Carb Installation-have problem

John, yes, I see a metal gasket behind the large hex nut but its not black but silver in color. As Tim B suggested, yesterday, I loosened the fuel line nuts and then with an adustable wrench tightened up the large hex nut which were just a tad loose. I then tightened up the fuel line nuts, pretty tightly while holding the large hex nut in place. I plan to fire up the car next weekend when the weather in NYC area should be a little nicer, will report back then, thanks for your assistance with this.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Carb Installation-have problem

I recently helped a friend with a similar issue with his 67 Holley carb. After installing it, we had a leak around the "big nut". Unbeknownst to him, the carb restorer had restored the threads with a helicoil. We removed the nut/fitting and LocTited it in place. Let the LocTite set overnight.

We installed and tightened the fuel line the next day and had no leaks. Have your threads been restored with a helicoil?

Chuck

[John L.]

Re: Carb Installation-have problem

Chuck, thanks for the post, as far as I know no helicoil was utilized in the carb resto as the "big nut" was not leaking or causing problems prior to the rebuild. Will fire the car up this weekend and see what happens!