Order a new carburetor or keep messing around ?

[JDK]

I'm just really tired of taking the carburetor on and off the engine, it seems to want to run but is flooding real bad killing it off, I just messed with the float yesterday and it seemed to be working but it's still flooding after 10 seconds running, just wanted to ask you guys if I missed something before I call Don and order a new carburetor......i'v been stuck anchored off, I'd like to get my show underway again , greetings from the Gulf of Mexico right off the beach at Estero Island....

[JDK]

Oh and to clarify, this carb was sunken once and sat around full of rusty rainwater and was a miracle that it ran in the first place after being cleaned up, i'v had issues on and off for a year now, in between she's ran like a charm so I'm fairly sure it's not the engine mechanicals at all, I'm thinking bolt a nice new carb on there she'll run like a charm again....

[edwardc]

Check that the float body isn't partially filled with gas. This gives it less buoyancy, and it doesnt have enough force to close the needle valve.

There are two checks to perform. One is to balance the float on a knife edge to see that the left and right sides are equal. The other is to just shake it close to your ear and listen for a sloshing noise.

Saltwater can form a tiny pinhole in the float and cause it to slowly take on gas over time.

[ndutton]

My opinion is if the budget allows, get the new carb. You've earned it.

[Dave Neptune]

What is the setting of the "float level"? Did you "closely" inspect the needle and the seat?
The above and what Edward posted are likely scenarios.

Also be sure the halves are "actually sealing" the vent well in the middle of the bowl. Unless this is "sealed" the carb will not meter properly.

Good luck.

Don't know of your budget but if you do go for a new carb do place a polishing filter in front of it. And be aware that when removing the fuel lines that you do not "peel" any of the inside of the hose loose only to plug the carb. A good idea is to always plumb the carb hose with loops so you can just cut off then remove so you have fresh ends and no bits of hose to get into the carb when doing maintenance or repairs.

Dave Neptune

[ndutton]

I prefer flare fittings for the carburetor fuel connection for that exact reason.

[Marty Levenson]

Budget permitting I would order a new carb AND keep messing around. When you get the old carb running right use it as a spare.

[tac]

If you mean by “flooding” that fuel is pooling in the intake and maybe spilling out the flame arrester, then I agree especially with Dave Neptune’s post above concerning mating of the carb upper and lower halves. See Don’s explanation of why this happens, and the fix, here:

https://moyermarine.com/techtip001/

If you do a search through Dave Neptune’s posts you’ll also find his suggestions on flattening the mating surfaces. It’s an easy fix and worked for me.

[JDK]

I decided to just order a new one and some plugs, I guess I'll be called back on Monday....hope it comes quickly so I can get back inland, it's almost marina season....

[JDK]

I decided to just order a new one and some plugs, I guess I'll be called back on Monday....hope it comes quickly so I can get back inland, it's almost marina season....that's interesting info on the carburator housings.....sounds like I'll definitely be better off with a shiny new one to get me going.....

[JOHN COOKSON]

A fuel pressure gauge is a great addition. It is much easier to install a fuel pressure gauge and a polishing filter at the same time rather than install each one separately.

TRUE GRIT

[JDK]

There are 3 fuel filters including a Racor so I'm good.....

[joe_db]

Originally Posted by Dave Neptune

What is the setting of the "float level"? Did you "closely" inspect the needle and the seat?
The above and what Edward posted are likely scenarios.

Also be sure the halves are "actually sealing" the vent well in the middle of the bowl. Unless this is "sealed" the carb will not meter properly.

Good luck.

Don't know of your budget but if you do go for a new carb do place a polishing filter in front of it. And be aware that when removing the fuel lines that you do not "peel" any of the inside of the hose loose only to plug the carb. A good idea is to always plumb the carb hose with loops so you can just cut off then remove so you have fresh ends and no bits of hose to get into the carb when doing maintenance or repairs.

Dave Neptune

This X 100!
I use the polishing filter as the disconnect point so any bits of rubber end up caught in the filter and not in the carb.
If you can afford it, you really might want to get a new one. I did and lived happily ever after

[JOHN COOKSON]

Originally Posted by joe_db

This X 100!
I use the polishing filter as the disconnect point so any bits of rubber end up caught in the filter and not in the carb.
If you can afford it, you really might want to get a new one. I did and lived happily ever after

Ever since I installed a polishing filter I have not had to so much as even touch the carburetor.
Had to change the filter once but that only means it is doing it's job.
Highly recommended.

TRUE GRIT

[JDK]

Order is away, hopefully I get it before the weekend.....

[JDK]

I am NOT having fun out here tonight, there's huge waves with the wind blasting straight in off the Gulf, i'v had water over the bow and a wave broke over the side of the boat into the cockpit...
..yikes

[ndutton]

Batten down the hatches and stand by the pumps. No one leaves the cockpit without a harness clipped on to a jackline and a life jacket.

Long night ahead, hang in there.

[JDK]

I survived......had 8 ft waves with a couple 12 ft breakers that smashed down on me from above,I took water down the companionway and hatches , the kayak and jonboat were torn off and dumped on the beach full of sand......but I get to keep my sailboat......22 pound Delta with 30 feet of stainless 3/8 chain and a 150 ft long line out.....

being inland as soon as my carburetor gets here is sounding very appealing.....

apparently my vessel is solid.....

[JDK]

So, while I am impressed with the brand new made in 2015 carburetor, it's useless to me as is and I'm still stranded now, the carburetor is supposed to have studs in it like the old one, instead it has open holes, great, now I've spent all my money for the month and still am stranded out here.....that's a major major FAIL ! No one said anything about anything except reusing the hose barb fitting.....let me guess, I'm expected to walk and ride a bus to a hardware store and fool around, not exactly what I paid 335.75 for....

[JDK]

It won't let me upload the photos i made either, sorry

I had a chat with Ken, apparently this is another thing that someone modified in the past, because they are supposed to be put on with bolts called 5/16 course thread x 1 inch long cap screws......no victory lap and sail away for me, instead I'm back off across the surf in the kayak on a hardware store adventure....

[Marty Levenson]

....there is always a way. Can't you find two suitable bolts with nuts and lock washers anywhere on your boat? Temporarily unbolt something unnecessary to borrow the bolts? Even a couple C clamps might be worth a try?

[Don Moyer]

Or use the studs from the old carburetor. Don

[JDK]

I just very forcefully extracted the studs from the old carburetor, you know why ? Because after getting the proper bolts, guess what, you can't use them, they do not clear in between the flange and the casting of the intake manifold....... impossible to insert.....so I'm in the process of attempting to set up the old studs in the new carb......

By the way, the old carburetor isn't even a Zenith, it's a Bendix......is my 1968 C&C Corvette 31 #66 equipped with one of those rare lowered horsepower Canadian versions maybe ??? Manifolds and alternator bracket are painted yellow if that means anything.....

[JOHN COOKSON]

My $0.02 worth.
Try going back to the original way the carb was attached to the manifold.
Bolts up through the mounting holes in the carb into the flange. No studs.
The studs are modification by a previous owner to make bolting the carb to the manifold easier. If the modification is not working for you with the new carb ditch the modification.
Before trying be sure the bolts thread easily into the manifold.

TRUE GRIT

PS: Is there any spacer between the carb and the manifold? Is there a PCV valve on the engine?

[JDK]

It's all together, i'v ran some fuel through so it's fresh , and she's all hooked up and primed, wish me luck, hopefully now comes the fun part....

I couldn't connect the choke due to differences but I shouldn't need it today, it's warm....here goes.....